How to Find Irrigation Valves When It’s Time for Maintenance
They’re not always in plain sight
Irrigation valves are essential components of your home sprinkler system. If there’s any issue with water pressure or leaks, it's important to keep an eye on these components, but finding them can be trickier than untangling an old garden hose.
Depending on your irrigation system, your valves may be hidden away in a box or even buried underground. Learning how to find your irrigation valves is an important part of sprinkler maintenance and longevity.
What Is an Irrigation Valve?
The irrigation valve, sometimes called the sprinkler valve, is where water is released into emitters when pressure builds up in your sprinkler system. Essentially, the irrigation valve controls the water flow into the different zones of your sprinkler system.
Adding to the confusion, most irrigation systems will have two valves, a master and irrigation. The master valve is where all water enters the sprinkler system. You can control this manually or with a programmable timer.
The irrigation valve distributes water to each bed and is located at each node or zone.
So, while most irrigation systems have just one master valve, your sprinkler system likely has several irrigation valves. Depending on your system, those irrigation valves are in a box or buried just below the ground in your yard.
Why Are Irrigation Valves Important?
Irrigation valves control water flow into each zone of your sprinkler system. With a damaged or broken irrigation valve, zones might experience low water pressure, no water, or water that won’t shut off. Working irrigation valves are essential for evenly watered lawns or gardens.
A damaged irrigation valve could lead to
Leaks around the valve
Low water pressure
Overwatered plants
Under watered plants
Higher than average water bills
How Much Does It Cost to Replace an Irrigation Valve?
An irrigation valve costs between $13 and $150, and bringing a plumber out to replace the part will cost anywhere between $50 to $100 an hour.
Sometimes, you can repair a faulty irrigation valve by replacing the solenoid valve. But, if the solenoid valve isn’t the issue, you’ll likely have to replace the irrigation valve completely. While it sounds daunting, it’s a relatively simple task to DIY if you don’t mind getting your hands wet.
Your irrigation valve could be in several places on your property, and there are a few methods to find your irrigation valves. We’ll start with the easiest methods, working our way down to the most involved.
Hopefully, sticking to these methods will help you avoid digging up the yard to find the valves. Before you grab a shovel, consider these less-invasive ways to find irrigation valves.
Scan for an Above-Ground Irrigation Valve
It’s uncommon, but in some systems, you’ll find the irrigation valves sticking out above the ground. If so, you only need to walk over the sprinkler system’s water source. If your irrigation valves are above ground, you’ll find them there.
Check Documents for Guidance
If you hired a professional to install the sprinkler system, they likely left you with a map or irrigation system plans. This plan should include the locations of the zones and irrigation valves. With the diagram in hand, you can find the irrigation valve quickly.
Look for In-Ground Irrigation Boxes
If you don’t have a system diagram or above-ground irrigation valves, you likely have in-ground irrigation boxes. These plastic, often natural-colored boxes sit just at the soil line and have a plastic cover with a latch.
Try walking your property, keeping your eyes out for the plastic covers. You might also notice the ground feels different underfoot, a sign you’re walking across a plastic cover. Once you find one, remove the cover to access the irrigation valve.
The challenge with this method is the camouflage of the boxes and the time that’s passed since installation. It doesn’t take long for dirt and grass to cover these boxes, obscuring them completely to the naked eye.
Pull Permits
Depending on where you live, you may have had to file a permit to install your irrigation system. If so, you’re in luck. The permit application likely included a diagram of the sprinkler system, showing where irrigation valves are located.
If you haven’t been able to find your irrigation valves with the other methods in this guide, reach out to your municipality to see if they still have the records on hand.
Use Your Ears
If you’re trying to find one irrigation valve box, you can try listening for the water flow to the box.
Ask a helper to turn on the zone from the master valve and listen carefully for the flow of water. Strain your ears to listen for a hissing or the activating of the valve. From there, you can get a general idea of where the irrigation valve is. Just remember to turn the water off before digging.
Try a Valve or Chatter Locator
You can rent or buy tools, such as valve locators or chatter locators, to help you find your irrigation valves.
A valve locator helps you find the solenoid valve of the irrigation valve by connecting a clip to the master valve and the timer terminal. Once the locator is hooked up, you’ll hear a buzzing sound at the irrigation valve, even up to eight inches underground.
A chatter locator works similarly, making a chattering noise at the solenoid valve of the irrigation valve.
Call a Pro
If you’ve exhausted all of the above methods, it’s worth calling in a professional before you dig up half your yard.
You can contact the sprinkler installation company that initially laid your system to come out and walk the property. They might even have the diagram on hand.
Some sprinkler installation companies near you who didn’t install the system may be able to lend their expertise and find the irrigation valves as well.
If you didn’t install the system or don’t know the company that did, contact an electrician in your area. They may have tools similar to those mentioned above that can help locate the irrigation valves without digging.
Start Digging
If, and only if, everything else has failed, it’s time to start digging. Using any information you gleaned from the above methods, start digging in places you suspect the valves to be.
As you dig, be extra careful not to nick the valve as you unearth it. Use a small trowel instead of a bulky shovel to minimize the chances of damaging the valve.
To avoid exhaustion and frustration, try tracing the controller lines from the master valve to find the irrigation valves. Dig a small hole about every ten feet from the master valve. If you find a controller line, head in the same direction, still digging every ten feet or so.
Taking Care of Irrigation Valves
Taking good care of your irrigation valves will keep the irrigation system running smoothly for years. Adopt these tips to keep your valves in good shape and your lawn lush and green.
Diagram your system. Once you find your irrigation valves on your property, map them for future reference.
Clean your sprinkler head. Regularly clean your sprinkler heads to avoid clogs or water pressure problems.
Ready your system for winter. Winterize your irrigation system each year to avoid cracked pipes and broken valves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Irrigation valves can last as long as the sprinkler system—between 10 and 15 years. The key is keeping an irrigation valve in good shape, which means swapping out any damaged parts, keeping the system clear of debris, and properly winterizing your irrigation system if you live in an area of freeze and thaw.
During particularly hot weather, the best time to water the grass is during cooler periods of the day, such as the early morning or late evening. Not only will this save you on water bills, but it’ll also make it easier for the soil and plants to absorb the moisture.