Whistling Wings Outfitter
July 24, 2011 at 7:39 am
filed under Outdoors
Sprinkler valves are one of the most important components of your sprinkler system. If the valves malfunction, the job of your sprinkler system will be affected. Sprinkler valves can cause your sprinkler system to leak, clog, or just not work quite right. That is why it is important to purchase sprinkler valves that are well made and that hold up well to the rigors of water and being outdoors. Two names come to mind when choosing components for your sprinkler system, Rainbird and Hunter, simply because they are dedicated to making sprinkler components that are efficient and stand the test of time. How do you choose sprinkler valves for your system, whether it is an existing system or new system?
Research. Research is essential when choosing components for your sprinkler system. By researching the sprinkler system that you have, you will be more able to choose the right components for your system to keep it working efficiently. By doing your research before your purchase, you will be able to choose the right sprinkler valves for your needs and for your system. Research takes time, but it is well worth the time that you put into it, simply because you will be able to make the most of your purchase and the money spent on your purchase.
Purpose. What is the purpose of your sprinkler valve? Is it a backflow preventer that helps to keep water from backflowing into the system and into your water supply? Is it an anti-siphon valve that will keep water from siphoning out of the ground or areas of standing water and back into the water system? Is it a simple irrigation valve that controls the flow of water through your sprinkler system? Or is it a quick-coupling valve that will allow you to use the system to connect your water hose? You will need to know what type of sprinkler valve you need to ensure you get the right one.
Purchase. Now that you have done your research, you are ready to make your purchase. Don’t let the price of the sprinkler valve solely influence your decision. You want to make sure that you buy the best quality of sprinkler valve that you can afford to make the most of your sprinkler system. Spending a little bit more now can have a big impact upon how long the sprinkler valve will last in the long run and how efficient it will work.
Sprinkler valves are not something that most people even consider until they are faced with one that is malfunctioning. By putting the time and thought into this component when installing your system or updating it, you will find that it will make your system last for much longer and it will help your system to work the way it was designed to. Research, purpose, and purchase are your steps to choosing sprinkler valves that will make your sprinkler system do its job efficiently and completely.
Richard Gilliland
BH
Sprinkler Valves?
Hi, I was told by my gardener that I need new sprinkler valves and each of those run about $50-70. I looked up online and I found them for $20 or less. Also what is the basic labor cost for getting them installed? I got estimates that range from $300-1000. I am confused.
Do you have to be a plumber to do it or is relatively simple
trekkie706
they screw in and out, acouple of wrenches, a shovel, a roll of teflon tape, all less than 300$
References :
plumber
Rob
If it is $50-$70 installed, that is a good price. Where I work, we get $125, and that is about the going rate in the north east.
If you want to do it yourself, do not use Toro valves, Toro is garbage. Hunter, Rainbird, Irritrol, and Weathermatic are all good valves. Dig a nice big hole where the valves are, longer on the downstream side of the sprinklers. Cut the line coming out of the valve, and unscrew it. If it is a tight fit, take the valve apart and unscrew it. If you have to take the new valve apart to put it on, There are only 3 parts inside, so don’t worry about not being able to put it back together. From top to bottom, they are the spring, the rubber diaphram and the plastic ring. Then reconnect the lines coming out of the valve. Then connect the wires from the solenoid. 1 wire from each valve gets connected to the common wire. Look in your timer to see what color it is. Then the other wire gets connected to individual wires. Check the order of the wires to the valves. Write it down. This will help keep the valves in the same order they are in now. The prices you got 50-70 is what your gardener told you for each (i am assuming that he is installing them.) The 300-1000 just estimates for installation from different contractors. Unless you have 8 valves or more, the $1000 sound real high. You do not have to be a plumber to install the valves.
References :
I am a sprinkler tech