Question
QUESTION: I purchased a home with an existing Rain Dial Hardie sprinkler system with no manuals or information on the system.
The seller went through a divorce and the wife does not know anything about it. All she said that her husband had shut off the water for the sprinkler - where , how she did not know...
How do I find the main shutt off valve to start the water. What does it look like?
I found a water meter and an another thing on the ground near the street that is green and round ( not the centricon system ) but filled with dirt.


ANSWER: The shut off valve could be in the round green box you spoke of.  Try removing some of the dirt from the box, and see if it exposes a valve.  You may need a valve key to turn on the valve.  These are steel rods will an upside down "U" shaped device at the end that will fit in the handle of the valve.  If this doesnt solve the problem, locate your irrigation valves and see if there is a manual valve around them that needs to be opened.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I think I found the main valve. It has a green round circle cover with a red valve that is aligned wiht pipe indicating it is open. There is also a another green cover just a foot from there and this has a backflow valve (I think). I do not see any other covers in that area, which i can open to expose the valve controlling hte flow to the sprikler system.

The wire that comes out from the controller, goes outside the garage wall into the ground and connects to four other wires with four 4 blue electrical connectors. I have not traced these further down for fear of damaging the connectors or the wires. I am guessing these are the solenoid that control flows to various sections of hte lawn (I have 3 sections).

Any input you can provide will be helpful.

thanks
mivwf

Answer
Make sure your backflow preventer is turned on as well.  Try manually operating the valves to see if the water is flowing.  I wouldnt mess with the electrical components unless you are sure you have a problem with them.  If all else fails, you may save yourself some grief by having a landscaper look at the problem.