Sprinkler system repair and questions

[tworley]

Repaired. Plugged for now until I go get a new head or manifold.

Have you been having trouble finding leaks with how wet it's been? We have a dozen or so spots that we've been trying to figure out if they're leaks or just ground water all season. We've also only had to water a handful of times though. Although we definitely knew when we had a whole head pop off a swing arm and shoot a geyser 20 feet into the air directly in front of the clubhouse. 150 psi is a lot of pressure.

I think the fescue should come in fine, although it might be getting too hot. Definitely update if it does germinate.

Pressure decreases suddenly then I walk around and notice puddling water so not too difficult to find. Groundwater should be much deeper for you up in Evergreen. I should put meter on and see what pressure is, I know at the spigots it's 70 psi

 

[Bobohunter1776]

Repaired. Plugged for now until I go get a new head or manifold.

View attachment 436008

View attachment 436007

View attachment 436009

View attachment 436006



Pressure decreases suddenly then I walk around and notice puddling water so not too difficult to find. Groundwater should be much deeper for you up in Evergreen. I should put meter on and see what pressure is, I know at the spigots it's 70 psi

True, I forget that a backyard is a little smaller than a golf course. I haven't had a residential sprinkler system in forever. No point in watering the side of a mountain. We have a few weird spots that have turned into swamps this season plus a few springs we've had for a while. We had an entire fairway in the creek last week. Even got a new log.

Is the irrigation system the last big project left on the house?

 

[tworley]

Is the irrigation system the last big project left on the house?

Still have the remaining railings to stain, cupboards to paint and landscaping. My wife has a monthly list somewhere for me

 

[tworley]

Slow progress. This cooler week should help. I'll definitely need to fill in a couple areas.

 

[Dr. Internet]

Repaired. Plugged for now until I go get a new head or manifold.

View attachment 436008

View attachment 436007

View attachment 436009

View attachment 436006



Pressure decreases suddenly then I walk around and notice puddling water so not too difficult to find. Groundwater should be much deeper for you up in Evergreen. I should put meter on and see what pressure is, I know at the spigots it's 70 psi

You are measuring what is called 'static' water pressure. In this scenario, it doesn't mean anything. Go to your local Rainbird or Toro dealership and borrow a 'dynamic' pressure/flow gauge. It measures the pressure when the water is flowing and how much flow rate your system can provide. They also have design guides to show you how to divide your system into zones, so you will have enough water pressure and flow to properly operate the sprinklers in each zone. Good luck!

 

[Bobohunter1776]

You are measuring what is called 'static' water pressure. In this scenario, it doesn't mean anything. Go to your local Rainbird or Toro dealership and borrow a 'dynamic' pressure/flow gauge. It measures the pressure when the water is flowing and how much flow rate your system can provide. They also have design guides to show you how to divide your system into zones, so you will have enough water pressure and flow to properly operate the sprinklers in each zone. Good luck!

Zones are the way to go. Not everything needs watered all the time. I thought most residential systems at least kinda had zones already but it's been a long time since I've done anything with residential systems.

 

[tworley]

Zones 1 (yellow) and 2 (blue) are turning on simultaneously. Why? All other zones (3-6) work as they should.

They're big sprinklers, so they need quite a bit of pressure to turn on and if they're on at the same time I obviously cannot get pressure.

 

[Dr. Internet]

It's probably in the programming. Review the program in the controller and make sure you are not telling them to turn on together.

 

[Bobohunter1776]

If it isn't the programming, it might be something with the wiring or solenoids in the valves.

 

[tworley]

Thanks guys.

I've got a couple of issues, though at this point I can run everything with the controller in the garage.

I think the valves and solenoids need replaced. They're original (however old that is).

 

[Bobohunter1776]

Thanks guys.

I've got a couple of issues, though at this point I can run everything with the controller in the garage.

I think the valves and solenoids need replaced. They're original (however old that is).

Is the common wire original too?

 

[tworley]

Is the common wire original too?

Yes, other than where I spliced in a replacement section

 

[Bobohunter1776]

Yes, other than where I spliced in a replacement section

It almost sounds like something was wired wrong somewhere. Do both run when zone 1 is turned on and then just zone 2 runs when it's turned on or vice versa?

 

[tworley]

It almost sounds like something was wired wrong somewhere. Do both run when zone 1 is turned on and then just zone 2 runs when it's turned on or vice versa?

When zone 1 is turned on, zone 1 and 2 come on. When zone 2 is turned on, zone 1 and 2 come on.

I've verified they're wired separately.

 

[Bobohunter1776]

When zone 1 is turned on, zone 1 and 2 come on. When zone 2 is turned on, zone 1 and 2 come on.

I've verified they're wired separately.

Yeah sorry if I'm just saying things you've already verified or thought about. I don't know if I'm being helpful or not. Just trying to do the process I'd go through in my head if I was working on it in person.

 

[tworley]

Yeah sorry if I'm just saying things you've already verified or thought about. I don't know if I'm being helpful or not. Just trying to do the process I'd go through in my head if I was working on it in person.

It helps! Could be something obvious that I just can't see. I'm stepping away from it today.

 

[Bobohunter1776]

It helps! Could be something obvious that I just can't see. I'm stepping away from it today.

Just wanted to make sure! It's very helpful for me too. Residential sprinklers have the same basic operation as the type we use in a golf course, but are honestly a little trickier to figure out. We just have 1 common wire going to a valve in each head and can turn on individual heads and the system is always pressurized.

 

[tworley]

So the inline valve isn't opening fully. It opens enough to have the backyard work, but soon as the front is turned on I have to manually open the inline valve about a 1/4 turn as well as the Zone 1 valve itself, then everything up front goes full force. Maybe in a week or so I will get it changed.

The wiring is still wonky, so the valves for Zone 1 and 2 will be replaced also. That should help.

The back yard is looking better! I still need to fill and seed a few areas but will do that come fall as it is a cool season grass.

 

[Bobohunter1776]

The back yard is looking better!

Your dog seems to agree...

Soil temps have been staying in a surprisingly good zone for cold weather grass, up here at least. Forgot to take a picture, but I was seeding and sanding tee boxes last Thursday and had a bit left over in a closed tub. When I opened it today the grass had already grown 3 or 4 inches completely in the dark. Plants are rad.