Your lawn sprinklers typically have multiple valves that control separate zones for watering accuracy. As an instance, the flowerbed uses one valve while the lawn uses another individual valve since both planted areas require different water amounts. These valves are often buried underground, commonly in protective boxes. In case you’ve got a nonworking sprinkler valve, then it might be tricky to ascertain its location. But there are several strategies that will help you find the valve without digging in your garden’s topsoil.
Using a Valve Locator Tool
Find your irrigation control box. This controller is often installed on an outside wall close to your garden.
Access the switches or buttons on the controller by lifting or removing the protective cover. Turn off all the working valves by triggering the specific buttons and switches. Allow the nonworking valve to stay on.
Turn your automatic irrigation timer off, if equipped.
Activate the nonworking valve at the controller manually. Notice the sprinklers. Notice the very first sprinkler that discharges water. This sprinkler is actually the closest visible marker to the unseen nonworking sprinkler valve.
Activate a valve locator tool while standing close to the controller.
Follow the wires that extend from the controller box with the valve locator tool. Continue to follow the wires with the tool in the management of the first activated sprinkler head.
Stop walking when your locator tool indicates that the valve can be found. Each locator tool has another indicator system. Consult with the manufacturer’s directions for specific information.
Put a wood stake to the ground at the valve’s location.
Switch off the power to the irrigation controller at the main electrical panel.
Dig slowly into the ground with a scoop at the marked point. Keep all tools away from the wires and any nearby pipes to prevent harm.
Remove enough dirt using the scoop until you arrive at the valve box, typically about 12 inches under ground.
Fix the valve as needed.
Probing the Soil
Find the wires extending from your irrigation control box.
Follow the wires in the controller box as they spread out to your own sprinkler system.
Insert a soil probe to the ground as you follow the wires to the grass. Do not pinch or damage the wires with the probe.
Continue to probe the dirt until your tool strikes the nonworking valve box. It should have a hollow reverberation as you attack it.
