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Despite the variety of options, sprinkler valves serve a very simple purpose: they regulate the flow of water.Some turn the water on and off, while others limit the amount of water that can flow through the sprinkler system.The way they accomplish this — and the scale of the systems they serve — varies, but they all perform the same main task.
When installing a new sprinkler system, depending on the brand of the system, the valve is installed, and the installer chooses the type and size to suit the different watering zones.Some sprinkler systems require dozens of valves to control the water in multiple areas of the yard, while others have only one on/off valve.Go ahead and learn what to consider when choosing the best sprinkler valve for your specific sprinkler system, and see why the following models are all great for use in your home system.
Residential sprinkler systems are simple to set up and require four main components to operate: water source, plumbing, sprinkler valves, and sprinkler heads.Many systems (but not all) also have a master control unit with a programmable timer that acts as the brain of the system and communicates with valves (via irrigation lines) to distribute water to different areas of the yard.The two main types of sprinkler valves are in-line and anti-siphon.There are different options for the two types, but most valves are in-line valves.
The best type of valve for a particular sprinkler system depends on local regulations.Some communities require anti-siphon valves because they are above ground and therefore easy to test, while others allow inline valves and separate backflow preventers.
Unless the sprinkler system or irrigation system is fully manual (i.e. manually opened and closed by the user), the valves in the system will be automatic, usually through a central control unit.During installation, the irrigation lines are run in the same trenches as the pipes: a wire goes from the control unit to each valve.Low power in the wires (22 to 28 volts) is enough to open and close the valve.
Alternatively, the valves can be battery powered, in which case they are often used as simple timers that can be programmed to run a limited number of watering zones.These are usually in-line valves connected to buried pipelines but still accessible within a protective box.
A gate valve is a barrier that prevents or allows the flow of water.These devices have been around for decades, and the best manual example is the knob on an outdoor faucet called a sillcock.Turning the knob clockwise lowers the gate in the faucet to cut off the flow of water.Turn the knob counterclockwise, the inner gate rises, and the water flows freely.Large gate valves can be found in municipal or agricultural water systems, and they serve the same purpose of opening or closing the flow of water.
A ball sprinkler valve is a manual valve used to turn water on and off to separate parts of an irrigation or sprinkler system.A ball valve is an in-line sprinkler control valve with a straight handle that controls a ball within the valve that allows or blocks the flow of water.The handle only moves 90 degrees: when the handle is aligned with the direction of the pipe, the water comes out; when the handle is turned 90 degrees perpendicular to the pipe, the water is closed.
Check valves are simple inline valves that prevent backflow of water.Like anti-siphon valves, they prevent contaminated water from the sprinkler system from seeping back into the home water system.They are often used in pipes that supply water to pumps, pools, and sometimes even sprinkler systems.However, depending on local regulations, a simple check valve may not be enough to protect drinking water in your home.In some communities, a designated anti-siphon valve may also be required.
If you’re shopping for the best sprinkler valve, it’s common to replace a sprinkler valve that is damaged or stops working effectively.The best thing to do is to remove the faulty valve and take it to a plumbing supply store for a proper replacement.The best sprinkler valve will vary from system to system based on type, water flow, and pipe size.
Valves are sized to fit specific pipe diameters.When replacing a â valve, you will need to purchase another
