Sprinklers...help
#1
Sprinklers...help
Hi guys -
I had shut off the sprinklers a week or so expecting rain. I tried to start them back up again today but they wouldn't attached is the type of we have in our back yard.
When I start them manually, it does the usual click sound (we have 12 stations so each station would click when it's their turn when working and then I could hear the water gush and the sprinklers would start). But after the click nothing happens..I first thought it could be the frost in Bay Area so waited little later after sunrise but still no luck.
It hasn't been that cold for it to stop working. Any suggestions? I did try to play with the twist ON and OFF (refer attachment) but no luck.
Looking for some guidance before I call someone and pay call out fee for something stupidly easy?
Thx in advance.
I had shut off the sprinklers a week or so expecting rain. I tried to start them back up again today but they wouldn't attached is the type of we have in our back yard.
When I start them manually, it does the usual click sound (we have 12 stations so each station would click when it's their turn when working and then I could hear the water gush and the sprinklers would start). But after the click nothing happens..I first thought it could be the frost in Bay Area so waited little later after sunrise but still no luck.
It hasn't been that cold for it to stop working. Any suggestions? I did try to play with the twist ON and OFF (refer attachment) but no luck.
Looking for some guidance before I call someone and pay call out fee for something stupidly easy?
Thx in advance.
#2
Re: Sprinklers...help
Might be a stuck solenoid? Check online for a manual for the valve, there is usually a way to unscrew the solenoid from the valve body so you can check the rod. Watch out for little springs and such when you undo it.
#3
Account Closed
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,570
Re: Sprinklers...help
How long is it since you replaced the diaphragms?
The rubber diaphragms stiffen up over the years and they don't move to open the water flow. Sounds to me like the solenoid is working but the diaphragm is stuck, especially seeing as you can't manually operate the value with the switch.
Remove all those bolts around the edge and remove the diagram, replace at a cost of a few bucks at a hardware store. Worth a try before calling someone out.
EDIT I just noticed you have lots of them, does the problem happen with all of them? If so highly likely all diaphragms or solenoids packed it in at the same time.
Have you checked the wife didn't shut off your water supply?
The rubber diaphragms stiffen up over the years and they don't move to open the water flow. Sounds to me like the solenoid is working but the diaphragm is stuck, especially seeing as you can't manually operate the value with the switch.
Remove all those bolts around the edge and remove the diagram, replace at a cost of a few bucks at a hardware store. Worth a try before calling someone out.
EDIT I just noticed you have lots of them, does the problem happen with all of them? If so highly likely all diaphragms or solenoids packed it in at the same time.
Have you checked the wife didn't shut off your water supply?
Last edited by Uncle_Bob; Dec 11th 2013 at 8:47 pm.
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Posts: 4,913
Re: Sprinklers...help
If turning the valve on manually by twisting the solenoid a quarter turn doesn't work then it sounds as if the water supply may have been turned off by someone ...
Try opening the bleed valve (the small knob in the middle of the valve behind the solenoid) to see if any water is actually getting to the unit.
Try opening the bleed valve (the small knob in the middle of the valve behind the solenoid) to see if any water is actually getting to the unit.
#5
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2012
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 189
Re: Sprinklers...help
Are you connected to City water or to an irrigation district? If the latter, I would imagine they would have shut off water supply a couple of months ago. Seems a bit odd to irrigate in December. Most plants go dormant at this time of year, even evergreens. If you have new plants and its been dry for weeks, then you could just give them a bit of water by hand with a hose.
#6
Re: Sprinklers...help
If turning the valve on manually by twisting the solenoid a quarter turn doesn't work then it sounds as if the water supply may have been turned off by someone ...
Try opening the bleed valve (the small knob in the middle of the valve behind the solenoid) to see if any water is actually getting to the unit.
Try opening the bleed valve (the small knob in the middle of the valve behind the solenoid) to see if any water is actually getting to the unit.
For some reason the master valve that controls the water supply to the whole system fails quite regularly on ours. I think I've replaced it 3 times in 7 years. When it goes, it has exactly the effect you describe.
#7
Re: Sprinklers...help
Thx guys.
So the thread forced me to check a few things which is good news. The not so funny solution was simple !!!
Somehow the water connection to the yard was turned off. It's an old handle system so I may have steped on it somehow.
I never cared to check it until today because I was manually using the front yard water outlet to water plants so never imagined water connection was an issue. It seems that the front yard water is linked to home water which was its own handle.
Thx guys.
So the thread forced me to check a few things which is good news. The not so funny solution was simple !!!
Somehow the water connection to the yard was turned off. It's an old handle system so I may have steped on it somehow.
I never cared to check it until today because I was manually using the front yard water outlet to water plants so never imagined water connection was an issue. It seems that the front yard water is linked to home water which was its own handle.
Thx guys.
#8
Country Member
Joined: May 2003
Location: Moved from Georgetown to Round Rock, Texas. 15 miles closer to civilization.
Posts: 936
Re: Sprinklers...help
12 stations? Holy crap... how much grass have to got?
#10
Country Member
Joined: May 2003
Location: Moved from Georgetown to Round Rock, Texas. 15 miles closer to civilization.
Posts: 936
Re: Sprinklers...help
Water is too precious a commodity these days to waste on watering grass.