What Are the Symptoms of A Bad Sprinkler Valve?
A fully functioning sprinkler system is the lifeblood of a lush and green lawn. A malfunctioning valve is the source of all things unholy. It can lead to the development of dry patches in your lawn or, in some worse cases, it can lead to excessive water usage. Basically, unless and until you manage to identify the root causes of a bad sprinkler valve, you will continue to bleed money and waste your precious time fixing things that don’t even need fixing in the first place.
Inconsistent Water Pressure
Unusual water pressure is the most telltale sign of a malfunctioning sprinkler valve. Water pressure fluctuation is a common symptom of a faulty sprinkler valve, and this can invariably lead to asymmetrical spray patterns. A faulty valve can make the sprinkler act like a geyser when the pressure is high, whereas when the pressure is low, the sprinkler head can barely spray any water at all. Low water pressure can be the result of a damaged diaphragm or some debris blocking the valve. Sometimes, worn-out parts of the sprinkler system can make the sprinkler head act erratically. Check for a damaged solenoid or worn-out spring because, more often than not, these things are solely responsible for irregular water flow.
Strange Noises Coming from the Valve
If the sprinkler system is making some weird noise while spraying out water, it definitely means there is something seriously wrong with your sprinkler valves. Sprinkler systems are designed to operate quietly, and that means any clicking, buzzing, or hissing noise coming from your sprinkler system clearly demands a close inspection. These strange noises could be due to several issues like mechanical failures, clogging, or electrical malfunctions. To fix these issues, you need to carefully check the sprinkler system inside and out and remove any sign of blockage or debris if you come across any. However, if you fail to spot any such blockage, maybe it is the right time to replace the solenoid or the valve.
Poor Water Coverage
Lawn water distribution can be severely impacted when the sprinkler valve stops working properly. A malfunctioning valve can lead to poor water coverage, eventually causing issues like uneven growth patterns, overwatered areas, and dry spots. However, poor water coverage can be due to several factors like pressure imbalances, poor system design, or clogged sprinkler heads. Therefore, to ascertain that the poor water coverage is due to a faulty valve, you need to double-check the lawn sprinkler system carefully. Identify areas that are not receiving an adequate amount of water and look for a clogged valve. Sometimes simple cleaning can solve all your problems.
Valves Not Responding to Controller
An unresponsive sprinkler valve is definitely a major sign of a valve issue. The controller controls the operation of the sprinkler valve. It sends signals to the valve when to open and close and at what intervals. Now, imagine what would happen if the controller fails to respond to such signals. Your entire watering schedule could go haywire. Sometimes, minor electrical faults can lead to such issues. A bad solenoid or faulty wiring can make valves unresponsive to signals. However, the controller itself could be the root of the problem. But it always makes sense to check the valve first to be on the safer side.
Persistent Leaks and Puddles
If you spot any leaks around the sprinkler valve, it could be a sign that the valve is faulty. Water pooling on your lawn is definitely another major sign of a faulty sprinkler valve. Even if the sprinkler system is off, a faulty valve can cause water to seep, meaning you will have to deal with higher utility bills sooner or later. Check for any cracks on the body of the valve and also check the condition of the O-ring. If the O-ring seems worn out, we suggest replacing it immediately.
Water Hammer Effect
Whenever there is an abrupt change in the flow of the water, it causes the water to generate shock waves that travel through the pipes. Sometimes, it can generate a loud banging noise as well. This is known as the water hammer effect in the domain of sprinkler systems. The root cause of this water hammer effect is the fast closing of the valve. This means that the sprinkler valve is not working properly. If the air gets trapped in the pipelines, it can also lead to such problems. This problem can be resolved easily by installing water hammer arrestors that are readily available in the market. However, if you don’t want to spend any more money to fix this pesky problem, you need to make sure that air is not getting into the piping system and the valve is not closing too quickly.
