How To Find Hidden Sprinkler Valves (2024)

How To Find Hidden Sprinkler Valves (1)

Sometimes it is a bit challenging to locate sprinkler valves. Although an irrigation system can operate smoothly for many years, sprinkler systems will need regular maintenance, and often times the valve boxes are hidden and tough to find. Locating a malfunctioning sprinkler valve can be difficult when a valve replacement or tune-up is required. The sprinkler valve boxes can be covered by mulch, grass may be overgrown, and the valves can even be buried directly in the dirt without a valve box.

What Is a Sprinkler Valve?

How To Find Hidden Sprinkler Valves (2)

Automatic irrigation valves are usually a globe or angle (straight or bent) and use a diaphragm and an electric solenoid to switch the valve open and close. Sprinkler valves are commonly plastic for residential and most commercial applications then metal for heavy-duty sites such as golf courses and municipal pumping stations. Valves can be grouped together in manifolds, or installed individually - and valves should always be buried inside a plastic irrigation valve box. Never bury a valve directly in the dirt.

It is recommended to use a minimum valve box size of a 10-inch round for single valves, Econo valve boxes for valves are not advisable because these are too small and making repairs will be difficult. Sprinkler valves are operated electronically using low voltage 24v power generally of 18 gauge wire for residential, and 14 gauge wire for commercial. Valves require a separate 24v power wire for each valve and are connected together with a white "common" wire, linked between each valve.

The process to find sprinkler valves can be complicated; however, these helpful tips can guide you through the process of locating the hidden valves in your property.

1) Start in the Most Likely Places

  • Probe the soil. Determine the irrigation valve area, and sift through the soil in that specific section of your property. This process is not recommended except if you are completely sure that a valve box covers the lawn irrigation valves. Otherwise, probing the soil could cause damage to the solenoid, the valve wires or the irrigation system pipes.
  • Look for valves box covers. If valve boxes were set over the valves when the system was installed, they are most probably just under the surface.

2) Ask the Install Company for Blueprints

  • Check with city permitting office. Most of the time, the irrigation system permit application involves an irrigation blueprint, which should indicate the location of the irrigation valve.

3) Click Test

  • Turn on the zone in question. Determine which sprinklers are the earliest to pressurize. These are the sprinklers nearest to the irrigation system valve.
  • Listen for clicking noise at the solenoid. Turn on the valve and try to listen to the buzzing solenoid or water whizzing through the valve. Try to utilize a mechanic's stethoscope on the ground to monitor it.

4) Wire Locator

  • Rent a valve-locating device. These devices detect lost valves by tracking the wires from the controller to the lawn irrigation system valve site. A valve-locating device contains a transmitter, a receiver, two lead wires, and a grounding stake. It transmits a beeping signal along the wire to find irrigation valves. Utilizing a valve locator is a definite means to discover lost valves without damaging the lawn.
  • Trace the wire path to find the valve solenoid. Use a wire locator which is also known as a wire tracer device. In some tool rental places, especially in locations that provide to professional contractors, have wire tracers they rent.This device is used to follow the path of the wires to the valve, starting at the controller/timer.

5) If All Else Fails, Call the Professional Sprinkler Company

  • If these tips don’t do the trick, consider seeking professional help.
How To Find Hidden Sprinkler Valves (2024)

FAQs

How to locate hidden sprinkler valves? ›

Use a wire locator which is also known as a wire tracer device. In some tool rental places, especially in locations that provide to professional contractors, have wire tracers they rent. This device is used to follow the path of the wires to the valve, starting at the controller/timer.

Can you use a metal detector to find sprinkler valves? ›

Use a Metal Detector

You can do so by scanning it over a sprinkler head that's functional. Also, to get an accurate reading, make sure to adjust the sensitivity settings. Once your metal detector is able to identify a functioning sprinkler head, you can then start scanning your lawn for those that are buried or stuck.

How to find sprinkler lines without digging? ›

Without digging, it is possible to find sprinkler lines by getting a design map from the company that installed the system. If this is not possible, one could go to the valve box and follow a line back to each of the head sprinklers in a circuit. Or one could utilize an electronic water-detection device.

What tool is used to find sprinkler lines? ›

u-LOCATE Pipe & Cable Locator

u-LOCATE allows you to quickly and accurately locate underground utilities, helping prevent costly damages, utility strikes, and service outages.

How deep are sprinkler valves buried? ›

Sprinkler lines should be buried below the grass roots, and deep enough the sprinkler heads sit flush with the soil surface or slightly above grade. The depth varies depending on factors but typically ranges from eight to 12 inches.

Where are sprinkler valves usually located? ›

A common irrigation valve location is near the corners of the house or main building, and/or just downstream of the backflow preventer. In most areas, it is illegal to install underground irrigation valves without an approved backflow preventer. Probe the likely location to a depth of about six to twelve inches.

How do I find my outside water valve? ›

Search for a rectangular or round cover near the edge of your property. Usually, this is near the curb and the sidewalk, though it could be in an alley. The cover is either metal or plastic and usually says “water meter” on it. Open the cover to locate the main water shut-off valve.

How do I find hidden sprinklers? ›

Another go-to method to locate sprinkler head is listening to the sound of water and looking for puddles. Sound can lead you to buried sprinkler heads. This is the quickest way, and you do not need any equipment. For it, turn on your sprinkler system and walk around your landscape.

How to find a hidden sprinkler valve box? ›

The cheapest and easiest way to find buried irrigation valves is often to probe the soil with a thin rod, such as a long screwdriver. Often you can estimate the rough location of the irrigation valve, then find a buried valve box by probing the ground.

How far down are underground sprinkler lines? ›

The trenches will be relatively shallow, usually 6 to 12 inches deep, depending on your area's freeze cycles and frost severity. The trench must also be deep enough to allow the sprinklers to retract underground to prevent breakage from lawn machines.

How do I find my sprinkler backflow valve? ›

To find lost valves, picture the layout of the irrigation system. Note where the wires enter the ground from the main controller and visualize the path of the wire. A common irrigation valve location is near the corners of the house or main building, and/or just downstream of the backflow preventer.

How to find an irrigation master valve? ›

It can be before or after the backflow preventer and or the pressure regulator (if used). A few water districts do not allow any valves to be installed before the backflow preventer, but most don't care. I typically place them in an underground box after the backflow preventer and the pressure regulator.

How do I find a pinched sprinkler line? ›

How to Find Sprinkler Lines
  1. Mark the Heads. Your sprinkler heads have to stick out of the ground or they won't work. ...
  2. Trace From the Valves. The sprinkler heads are not the only important part of mapping out the lines. ...
  3. Probing. After we have traced the lines to a place that needs work, we'll probe for components. ...
  4. Digging.
Jun 30, 2021

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