Question
Noticed last week that most of the valves in my front garden system and clicking and vibrating and are just so noisy. On top of that, some of the sprinkler stations are low pressure but I have NOT found any leaks. The gardener who installed the system has changed a solenoid and is not sure why all is suddenly not working. He suggests changing ALL the valves and putting in a new system. I only pay parts...he will change all for free. The system  is about 8 years old. It seems a drastic measure when everything worked a few months ago...Please help

Answer
Thanks for your question.
Well, generally speaking, if the valve clicks and buzzes it means the electricity is getting to them and they are active. I would be checking your water supply to be sure something hasn't changed. Low water pressure from the source (city water, well, etc) Next I would check all the heads after the system has been off for a while. Look for heads which are weeping. This indicate one or more valves are partially open, robbing the water from the other zones.
Have you tried manually opening the valves. Most have a manual actuator on the top of them. If you can give me the model # of the valve I can tell you how to do this.
Did changing one solenoid make any difference? I truly don't think changing out the valves or the entire system is the answer. Modern irrigation systems are made to last many years and the problems you've indicated here don't warrant a new system. (Maybe a new serviceman though) Changing parts till you "get it right" isn't a service, it guessing.
If you can give me more info, I'll try to help. I need water supply such as city water, well water. If you can give me the water pressure it would help also. Controller and valve model. Any other info you know. ie; # of zones, type of sprinklers.


Matt