The easiest and cheapest way to find a buried irrigation valve is to use a long screwdriver to probe the soil with a thin rod. You can find a buried valve box by following the path of least resistance if you estimate the rough location of the irrigation valve. If the valve is buried in the ground, you will need to dig it out.
You can do this by using a shovel or a hand drill. If you have access to a drill press, use it to drill a hole about 1/4-inch in diameter and 3 inches deep. The hole should be about 3 feet from the edge of your soil. When you drill the hole, make sure that the drill bit is at least 3/16-in. in size.
This will allow you to get a good grip on the pipe and prevent it from loosening during the digging process. Be sure to use the correct drill size for the type of valve you are trying to locate.
Table of Contents
Can a metal detector find sprinkler valves?
Use a metal detector to find buried sprinkler heads. Many valves have metal parts you can locate by running the metal detector over the surface of the ground. If you find a valve, remove it from the valve cover and place it in a plastic bag. Place the bag in the trunk of your car and take it to your local police department.
Where are sprinkler valves usually located?
A common irrigation valve location is near the corners of the house or the main building, or just downstream of the backflow preventer. It is illegal to install underground irrigation valves without an approved backflow preventer in most areas. The location is likely to be six to twelve inches deep. If you are installing a new irrigation system, make sure that the new system is properly installed before you install the underground valve.
How much does it cost to find sprinkler valves?
Sprinkler valves usually cost $15 to $50, but you need to pay between $85 and $150 depending on the size of the tank and the type of filtration system you use.
If you have a large tank, you may want to invest in a filter system that can handle a lot of water.
The first stage filters the water, the second stage removes the solids and bacteria, and then the remaining water is pumped back into the main tank to be used for irrigation.
Should sprinkler valves be buried?
The valves should always be buried inside a plastic irrigation valve box if they are to be grouped together in manifolds. It’s never a good idea to bury a valve in the ground.
If you are installing a new valve, make sure it is installed in a well-ventilated area. If the valve is not well ventilated, it will not be able to vent properly, and you will need to replace it with a better one.
How do I map an existing sprinkler system?
To map out an existing irrigation system, turn on each station one at a time and write down what turns on. You might need to repair your irrigation system if some stations don’t turn on.
If you have a large area of land that you want to irrigate, it may be a good idea to start with a small area and work your way up to a larger area.
For example, if you live in an area that has a lot of grass, and you are planning on irrigating your lawn with water from a nearby stream, then you might consider starting with just a few square feet of lawn and then expanding the area over time.
How deep are sprinkler lines buried?
If you want to run pipe under existing walkways, you can either use a hand drill or a pipe cutter. Trenching is a very time-consuming process, so it’s important to have a plan in place before you start. If you don’t, you could end up with a trench that’s too deep or too shallow for the walkway you’re trying to install.
