Question
Hello,

My husband and I are living in western South Dakota and moved into this house last fall.  It recently had a new sprinkler system installed and we have a couple of questions.  The first involves the line with the drip system along our flower bed.  More often than not we can hear the hissing sound of water in that area, even when the sprinkler system is set to "Off".  We've been uncovering the line and sort of tightening the attachments which stops the leaking at that location and stops the sound of water running through the pipes while were in the house, but we're not sure what needs to be done for a long term solution.

The second question is about the green valve control box that's in the ground near the house.  We removed the lid to shut off the water supply but stopped right there because the valves and the electrical wires were completely submerged in water.  We live in a pretty dry climate and it hasn't rained significantly in weeks, so we're afraid the water is from a broken connection somewhere.

The sprinkler system seems to be operating appropriately otherwise.  We just aren't sure if these are things we should be able to fix ourselves or if we need to call a professional.  Any advice you have will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks a lot,
Anna

Answer
 Anna, how's the weather in SD. It's hot and record high temp here in St. Louis, MO. OK enuff with the chit- chat.

First of all I assume you have no kind of WARRANTY involved here, but you say the thing was recently installed. There should at least be a ONE YEAR warranty, but maybe not. Sometimes when the previous opwner of the house sells the house, but they were the ones who had the sprinkler thing put in it voids the warranty.

 So, I believe this is the problem .

1) The valve control box that is near the house contains the valve that operates the drip zone in question. I'm just taking a guess here.

2) That valve is leaking. Either the screws are loose, the solenoid is loose or an o-ring is bad/missing there, or a bleed pin/thumbscrew is loose. It could be cracked if you have high water pressure or just a bad valve.

3) When that valve leaks it also causes it not to shut off tight - water is also running through the valve into the drip line(s). So you have to fix/replace the valve.

4) First, turn off the water to the sprinkler system. Outside you should have some kind of backflow preventer. It has 2 handles on it that will turn off the water. If you feel more comfortable do it inside. (Unless it it an outside tap). Anyway get the water off. The clock does not turn the water off to the valves. The clock only turn off the signal that makes the valve open and close.

5) Now, bail the water out of the control valve box with something so you can see at least the top of the valve or all the way if possible. Don't get too scared about the wires in there. They are low volt and even if they were live, (and as long as the clock is off they are not), and even if they shocked you it is only 24 volts. UNLESS YOU HAVE A PACEMAKER THEY WON'T HURT YOU.

6) Turn the water back on and run to the box, or maybe just turn it on part of the way or have someone help you here.

7) See what is leaking in there. Depending on who the hell put it in you might have a couple things leaking. The valve is what you need to check first. If it is the valve, you need to get it tight.

I'll bet you 2 bucks that's the problem. If not get back to me.

                  Thanks, Jim@JG Irrigation.com