Question
I have a champion sprinkler irrigation system.  I'm a woman and don't know much about them, but I do know I have three zones.  I needed to adjust one of the zones, so I turned the black small switch on to make the zone go on and then I proceeded to adjust the sprinkler heads, I've done this is the past.  Well went I went to screw the small black knob on the valve shut again, the water kept running and running, sometimes before when I had to do this it would run for a while, then shutdown.  Anyway, not it won't shutdown at all.  The system is off.  I had to shut off the value for the water.  I don't know exactly what valves I have, I did take the black screw out completely and let the water pour out of it, then replaced it again, but still the water won't shutoff.  My neighbor said how is it you can turn you sprinkler zone on by turning that valve and I said I don't know, I have always been able to.  What should I do now?  I can't afford much, I'm on a fixed income.  How do I know what type of valves I have?  Why is it I can turn the sprinkler heads on by the small black knob on the valves?  I really appreciate this.

Answer
Hey Sandi, the screw you are refering to is called a bleed screw. The way this works, is that as the water is released from the top of the valve, the water pressure from down below pushes the diaphram up and allows the water to flow through the valve. If the valve does not shut off, then you need to replace the diaphram. Take the screws out from the top of the valve body, and you will see the rubber diaphram below a spring, don't lose the spring. Simply take the diaphram to an irrigation supply store, and they can match it up to the new diaphram that you need. good luck and have a great day.