How Do Irrigation Valves Work? Everything You Need to Know
Get your feet wet with this guide
Highlights
Irrigation valves use water pressure to open the system’s chambers, bringing water to the plant beds when turned on.
Irrigation valves are part of both commercial and residential irrigation systems.
Drip irrigation systems deliver water consistently and directly to the root of plants, saving water, time, and money.
A broken or damaged irrigation valve could lead to inconsistent water pressure or dry garden beds.
The average cost to install a drip irrigation system is $350.
From commercial farming to hobbyist gardeners, an irrigation system ensures consistent watering across your property. You can save time and money in the long term with a system that waters your plants automatically instead of using an old-school hose and sprayer.
Are you considering a drip irrigation system for your garden or updating the sprinkler in your yard? Before you jump straight into it, it’s important to get to know the important features of irrigation systems, including the irrigation valve.
Without a properly operating irrigation valve, sections of your once-luxurious lawn could start to look barren, with brown spots or bare patches. If you notice the water isn’t emitting in certain zones of your drip irrigation systems, it could indicate an issue with the irrigation valve, among other problems. Read on to understand how irrigation valves work and their part in the sprinkler system as a whole.
What Is an Irrigation Valve?
In a sprinkler system, the irrigation or sprinkler valve is where water is released into emitters when pressure builds up in the system.
Most drip systems will have a master valve and irrigation valves, which can make it confusing to distinguish between the two. The master valve is where water enters the irrigation system. You can turn this on and off manually or sometimes set a timer. When on, the master valve distributes water across the sprinkler system to the irrigation valves.
The irrigation valve shut-off location is on each node. That’s where water is distributed to the lawn or garden beds.
How Do Irrigation Valves Work?
We’ll have to touch on basic hydraulics and water pressure to understand how a sprinkler valve works.
When the sprinkler system is off, or there’s no water running through it, the irrigation valve is closed. But, when the system is turned on and water flows through it, it creates pressure on the center of the irrigation valve, also known as its diaphragm.
As the pressure builds, the diaphragm lifts, allowing water to enter the upper chamber. The pressure continues to build, pushing that water in the chamber out into the spring-loaded valve, allowing it to pass into the rest of the system.
Sprinkler valves can be activated in multiple ways. You can:
Manually open an irrigation valve by turning the solenoid
Manually open an irrigation valve by loosening the bleed screw
Electrically activate the solenoid from the controller
Usually, you’ll find the irrigation valve housed in an irrigation valve box on the property. It could be slightly underground, with the box covering the system, or it may sit above the soil in the box.
Benefits of Irrigation Valve Systems
They may take more set up than the classic garden hose, but a properly working irrigation system comes with many benefits for gardeners.
Water-efficient. Irrigation valve systems deliver water straight to the beds, meaning less water use overall.
Wallet-friendly. You’ll save money on your water bills, as drip irrigation systems typically use less water.
Set it and forget it. Most irrigation valve systems can be operated electronically on a schedule, so they can run without intervention, saving you time.
Disadvantages of Irrigation Valve Systems
It comes with many advantages, but irrigation systems do have their fair share of drawbacks.
Price tag. The cost of a drip irrigation system is more than a garden hose or above-ground sprinkler.
Ongoing maintenance. While drip irrigation systems are hands-off on a day-to-day basis, you’ll need to regularly check in on it to ensure there are no leaks or breaks. In some cases, you might hire a professional to service and repair the system.
Frequently Asked Questions
If water pressure across your irrigation system is too strong when it comes out of the emitters, consider adjusting the flow to zones via the irrigation solenoid valve. You can manually adjust an irrigation solenoid valve by turning it clockwise or counterclockwise. Turn it counterclockwise to open and clockwise to close it.
If you notice your irrigation system sputtering or spurting out water from the emitters, you might want to try “bleeding” the irrigation valve to release unwanted air pressure. Releasing air from the system means only water will flow through the tubes, ensuring consistent pressure from each head.
To manually bleed the irrigation valve, turn the solenoid valve counterclockwise or turn the bleed screw counterclockwise a quarter turn.
If you’re experiencing low or no pressure in certain irrigation system zones, an irrigation valve may be to blame. When the irrigation valve isn’t functioning properly, it can keep water from flowing into certain zones across a lawn or yard. The vale could be stuck, cracked, or broken.
But, problems with water pressure in an irrigation system don’t necessarily mean a problem with the irrigation valve. That’s why it’s important to learn how to find sprinkler heads covered in grass, as these may be the culprit and not a bad irrigation valve.
Irrigation valves and sprinkler systems have an expected lifespan of 15 years but should be seasonally checked for efficiency and leaks.
You can check the system yourself using a pressure gauge at various points across the system, or you can bring in a professional in the spring to run a thorough check of your drip irrigation system.
Additionally, it’s important to visually check the system every time you’re outside. Walk around your yard, and take note of where beds are moist and where others might be dry. This could indicate a larger issue with your sprinkler system that needs to be addressed.