If you have a sprinkler, you should know that there will come a time for you to replace its valve. It’s typically located inside a valve box where there are four to five valves, there are some signs that can indicate that it’s the right time to replace it. To enlighten you, here are some of the signs that you should look after:
- The sprinkler doesn’t easily turn on,
- The leakage on the valve or sprinkler head, not allowing the sprinkler to turn off completely, and
- Insufficient water goes to the sprinkler head.
Now, there are some things that you must do before and after buying a replacement valve.
Make sure that you choose the correct and exact replacement part for your sprinkler valve. You can do this by:
- Making a list of the type and the size of the valve before buying; or
- Removing the actual valve from the valve box and bringing it to the store.
Also, make sure to bring a PVC adapter or ask for one in the store just to see if it fits perfectly on your new valve. Typically, the PVC adapters have two different ends – one male-threaded end for the valve socket and one female slip-fit end for the PVC irrigation pipe.
Speaking of PVCs, the job will also require you to do some works related to PVC by joining the PVC with solvent cement.
Here are the actual steps for replacing the sprinkler valve:
- Turn off the water source. To do this, rotate the valve handle on the main supply pipe of the system. If the handle is perpendicular to the pipe, then the valve is securely closed. If you don’t have a direct shutoff for the sprinkler, turn the water off directly in the water meter or your house’s main shutoff.
- Disconnect the wiring. As you disconnect the wirings, make sure you remember the exact placement where the low-voltage wires are attached because you should also do it the exact way for your new valve. You can do this by taking a photo of the wiring before removing it.
- Remove the old valve. With a hacksaw, a reciprocating saw, or a PVC pipe cutter, cut through the PVC irrigation pipes just below the old PVC adapters. Make sure you do this as close as possible to maintain the pipe’s length. With this, your replacement valve will be just a little lower than the one replaced. Then, remove the plastic burrs with a utility knife or sandpaper. Make sure that no debris gets into the pipes.
- Prep the new valve. Use a plumber’s tape to install the new PVC male on the replacement sprinkler valve. Wrap it around the threaded end of each adapter and thread it into a valve socket. Then, tighten the adapters with tongue-and-groove pliers. Make sure you don’t overdo this to avoid cracked plastic parts.
- Install the new valve. Read the manufacturer’s instructions for the PVC. You will need a PVC primer and solvent glue to apply on the insides and outside pipe ends of the female adapter sockets. Then, fit the replacement valve to the pipes by pushing it down until it fits snugly on the adapter sockets. Let it dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Attach the wires back and test. Now, use the picture you took of the wirings earlier and apply it to the new valve. Slowly turn the shutoff to turn the water on. As the water run, check for any leakages or faults. To ensure that the wire works just fine, check if the timer works with the new valve.
That’s it! You can now enjoy your sprinkler without any leakages and other faulty functions. If this has helped you with your problems, don’t hesitate to share this with others!