Umair Gaines
Sprinkler systems are a convenient way to keep your lawn watered and healthy, but they can malfunction and cause damage. Knowing how to turn off the electric sprinkler valve is essential to prevent costly repairs and wasted water. There are several ways to turn off a sprinkler system, including at the controller, the point of connection, the ball valve shut-off, or the water meter. This knowledge is especially important when preparing your sprinkler system for winter to prevent freezing and pipe damage.
Characteristics and Values of Turning Off an Electric Sprinkler Valve
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to turn off | When there is a malfunction, before winter, or when going on vacation |
| Location of valves | Above-ground or underground, near the backflow preventer or vacuum breaker |
| Valve appearance | Rectangular or oval box with a green lid, or a blue tag with "Sprinkler Shut Off Valve – Do Not Touch" |
| Shut-off method | Turn the handle perpendicular to the pipe, or turn the dial/knob to the off position |
| Winterization | Drain pipes, insulate exposed fixtures, and blow out sprinklers to prevent freezing |
| Emergency shut-off | Locate the main valve and turn it off to stop the water flow |
| Maintenance | Regularly check for debris, leaks, or electrical issues, and clean or replace parts as needed |
| Professional help | Consult a licensed irrigation professional for repairs or modifications |
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What You'll Learn
Locate the shut-off valve
Locating the shut-off valve of an electric sprinkler can be challenging as the valves are often placed in a valve box and buried. Here are some ways to locate the shut-off valve:
Check the Sprinkler System Documentation
Many sprinkler installers provide a system diagram or layout that outlines the location of sprinkler heads and valves. If the irrigation system required a permit for installation, your local permits department may still have an irrigation blueprint on file, which will indicate the valve's location.
Probe the Ground
The cheapest and easiest way to find buried irrigation valves is to probe the ground with a thin rod, such as a long screwdriver. You can estimate the rough location of the irrigation valve and then find a buried valve box by probing the ground. However, this method can damage the solenoid, valve wires, or irrigation pipes if the valves are not protected by a valve box. Typically, the valves are buried 6 to 12 inches deep.
Use a Wire and Valve Locator
To locate the valve, you can use a reliable wire and valve locator. First, disconnect the common wire and the station wire of the valve to be traced. Then, with the transmitter off, connect the red lead to either the common wire or the station wire, and connect the black lead to the ground stake inserted into the soil outside. Finally, turn on the transmitter, and the LED should blink brightly.
Follow the Sound of Water
You can have someone turn on the water to a specific zone at the main controller and then listen for the water leading to the valve. The sprinkler head closest to the valve should pressurize slightly before the rest of the sprinklers, so you can start at that sprinkler and try to find the valve nearby.
Check Common Locations
The shut-off valve is usually located near the water source. In colder climates, the valve is typically inside the house, often in the basement or crawl space. It is often within 3 to 5 feet of where the main water enters, near the front foundation wall. In warmer climates, the valve may be outside near an outdoor faucet or buried underground near the property line. It could be under a metal or plastic cover, sometimes labelled "water meter".
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Turn the lever perpendicular to the pipe
To turn off an electric sprinkler valve, you must locate the valve first. The valves are usually installed underground to provide insulation against extreme temperatures. These underground valves are found in a valve box, which is usually rectangular or oval-shaped with a green lid. If the box is fully buried, it is often located near the water meter or well.
Above-ground valves are typically found near the backflow preventer or vacuum breaker. They may also be installed inside the house, often in the garage, utility closet, basement, or a storage area with the water heater.
Once you have located the valve, turn the lever perpendicular to the pipe to shut off the water flow. This method will only turn off the water to the sprinkler system and not to the rest of the house.
If you are unable to locate the valve or are unsure about the process, it is recommended to contact a professional for assistance.
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Drain pipes to prepare for winter
To turn off an electric sprinkler valve, you must first locate the shut-off valve. The shut-off valve is typically located near the backflow preventer or vacuum breaker. If your sprinkler valves are installed above ground, check inside your home, in the garage, utility closet, basement, or another storage area containing your water heater. If the valves are installed underground, you will find them in a valve box, which is usually rectangular or oval-shaped with a green lid.
Now, to drain pipes to prepare for winter:
First, shut off the main water valve. The location of the main water valve differs for each house. It can be either on the interior or exterior of your home, so try checking near the water meter. If you are unsure, your water supply company can help point you in the right direction. Once you find the valve, open it and turn the knob or handle counterclockwise. You may need to use a rag to turn it if it is difficult to move.
Next, turn on every water fixture in the house until the water stops running. Drain all water outside of the house by attaching a hose to a sill cock or basement faucet. Open all faucets and flush all toilets in the house, starting from the top floor and working your way down. Remove the toilet tank cover and continue flushing until all of the water has drained out.
Then, use an air compressor to force any remaining water out of the pipes. Apply short bursts of air to the main drains, starting on the top floor.
Finally, drain all water-based appliances. Turn on the dishwasher and let it run to clear water from the drain line. Run both hot and cold water through the washing machine to flush out all the lines. If you use a conventional water heater, ensure there is no water left inside.
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Turn off the main valve
Turning off the main valve is a quick and easy way to stop the flow of water to your sprinkler system. This is especially useful in the case of an emergency, such as a leak, or when winterizing your system to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.
The first step to turning off the main valve is locating it. The main shut-off valve is typically located near the backflow preventer or vacuum breaker. It may be installed above-ground or underground. Above-ground valves are usually found outside the house, in a garage, utility closet, basement, or another storage area containing your water heater. Underground valves are often buried in a rectangular or oval-shaped valve box with a green lid, which may be fully buried or visible from above ground. If you can't find the valve box, it's usually located near the water meter or well.
Once you've located the main valve, you can proceed to turn it off. The valve typically has a ball valve with a handle that looks like a lever. To shut off the water flow, turn the handle so that it is perpendicular to the pipe. The handle will now be at a 90-degree angle from the pipe, and the water flow to your sprinkler system will be stopped.
If you have a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) ball valve, it will be easy to use and won't rust. Simply turn the lever 90 degrees to close the valve and stop the water flow.
In some cases, the main valve may be difficult to turn off, especially if it is old and rusty. If the lever is broken or stuck, do not force it, as this could lead to further issues. In such cases, it is best to call a professional for assistance.
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Locate the controller
Locating the controller is the first step in turning off an electric sprinkler valve. The controller for the sprinkler system is typically located inside your garage, mounted to an exterior wall. It is usually placed in a basement, crawl space, utility closet, or garage. If you cannot find the controller in these locations, it may be installed underground. In this case, you can probe the ground about six to 12 inches deep near the backflow preventer or vacuum breaker.
If you are still unable to locate the controller, refer to the documentation provided by the sprinkler installers. They usually provide a layout of the sprinkler system, including the locations of the different sprinkler zones and important irrigation system parts, such as the controller and valve box. You can also contact your local department in charge of building planning and request the planning blueprint for the irrigation system at your address.
Another way to locate the controller is to follow the water pipes. Start by locating the water meter in your basement or utility room, and then follow the pipe leaving the meter and branching off to other areas of your house. The shut-off valve for the sprinkler system will be marked and is usually located outside.
If your sprinkler system has a ball valve, it is typically located in the parkway in front of your house, between the street and the sidewalk. It is positioned directly downstream from the point of connection, on the sprinkler system side, not the water meter side.
Once you have located the controller, you can proceed to turn off the electric sprinkler valve. Simply turn the dial or knob on the controller to the off position. This will stop the water flow to your sprinkler system.
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