 |
08-06-2009, 09:45 PM
|
#1
|
|
Pro
Trade:
Custom Home Remodeling 30+ yrs
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 357
|
Weak Sprinklers.
My next door neighbor was asking me if I knew anything about sprinkler systems the other day and mentioned that his system is weak.

Sorry picture was taken right at nightfall...
While I was replacing my Brake Pads on my truck his sprinklers came on so I snapped a picture of them. I hadn't really looked at his yard but he just has Polkadots of grass where the sprinkler heads are, The rest is brown.
I asked him if they covered the entire yard when installed and he said they actually all overlapped each other.
My suggestion was to remove one sprinkler head and clean it real good and try that station and see if it sprays any better, If it does either clean or replace all of them. If that doesn't work check the lines where the water enters the station(s) total of 4.
NOTE: Lately the city has been messing with the water lines in the area which may have inadvertantly put junk in his lines.
This will be a freebie aside from a beer or 6 So if you have any suggestions or HELPFUL comments it'd be great.
Thanks!
|
|
|
Warning: The topics covered on this site include activities in which there exists the potential for serious injury
or death. ContractorTalk.com DOES NOT guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information contained on this site. Always use proper safety precaution and reference reliable outside sources before attempting any construction or remodeling task!
Join the #1 Contractor Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
ContractorTalk.com - Are you a Professional Contractor? If so we invite you to join our community and see what it has to offer. Our site is specifically designed for you and it's the leading place for contractors to meet online. No homeowners asking DIY questions. Just fellow tradesmen who enjoy talking about their business, their trade, and anything else that comes up. No matter what your trade is you'll find that ContractorTalk.com is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally free!
Join ContractorTalk.com - Click Here

|
08-06-2009, 09:49 PM
|
#2
|
|
Pro
Trade:
Custom Home Remodeling 30+ yrs
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 357
|
Just so you know... If the 2 things I suggested don't work I'm referring him to a Sprinkler guy.
|
|
|
08-06-2009, 09:51 PM
|
#3
|
|
Yard Boi
Trade:
Landscaping
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Genesee, ID
Posts: 440
|
What is the pressure at the valve?
Have any houses been built in the neighborhood since his sprinkler system was installed?
What is the pressure on the service line to the house?
It looks like what happened is the pressure dropped since it was installed. When you install a sprinkler system you calibrate it to the pressure at that house. Lets say for example the pressure is 30 psi. Then 3 more houses go up all feeding off the same line. Pressure drops to 22 psi. The sprinklers get weak.
Simple fix is to recalibrate the control valve to the current water pressure. If you know the brand of sprinkler (Toro, Rain Bird, etc.) you can look it up on a chart from the manufacturer.
__________________
Bob's Lawn & Landscape
When You Want The Best
Serving the LC Valley & Moscow-Pullman
|
|
|
08-06-2009, 09:57 PM
|
#4
|
|
Fentoozler
Trade:
Professional Pie and Pastry Taster
Join Date: May 2007
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 5,589
|
He could charge the neighborhood kids $5 each to have a water balloon fight on his lawn.
__________________

The UD is quite possibly man kinds finest accomplishment.
|
|
|
08-06-2009, 10:09 PM
|
#5
|
|
Pro
Trade:
Custom Home Remodeling 30+ yrs
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 357
|
All these houses are 40+ yeas old. I'll check the MFG info tomorrow morning. If I go out there now I might get shot since everyone is on edge lately with my truck getting broke into.
Our houses have pretty good pressure, I made a sprayer with a tiny hole for cleaning out my pond filters and if I spray it on the concrete it cleans like a pressure washer. I'm guessing closer to 50+ psi.
Thanks
|
|
|
08-06-2009, 10:22 PM
|
#6
|
|
Pro
Trade:
Painting Contractor
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Huntsville Alabama
Posts: 1,182
|
Dude are there any jobs you do that you do not need to ask the people at CT about?
__________________
Sean
|
|
|
08-06-2009, 10:25 PM
|
#7
|
|
Moderator
Trade:
GC - Remodeling Specialists
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 4,467
|
If the city had lines open in the area, its possible that a lot of debris has been stirred up. Have you popped the top on one of the sprinkler heads and checked the filter? It might be full of junks.
__________________
"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006
|
|
|
08-06-2009, 10:44 PM
|
#8
|
|
Pro
Trade:
Custom Home Remodeling 30+ yrs
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 357
|
I'm taking the day off tomorrow and thats when I'll look at his sprinklers. I'm sure they've never been checked or maintained.
Like I said, I'm going to try first cleaning one head to see if it helps that one head. If so, I'll clean or replace the rest. If it doesn't help I'm going to follow Bobs advice at the station. If that doesn't work I'll tell him to call a Pro.
I'm not perfect so, I ask a few Q's There is always someone willing to help...
Last edited by MZ-HANDYMAN; 08-06-2009 at 10:59 PM.
|
|
|
08-06-2009, 11:51 PM
|
#9
|
|
Crash Test Dummy
Trade:
Landscaping
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Kauai
Posts: 2,037
|
Has it always been weak, or is this a recent development?
Check for leaks. Or blockage in the valve.
Last edited by ChainsawCharlie; 08-07-2009 at 12:00 AM.
|
|
|
08-07-2009, 12:08 AM
|
#10
|
|
I do that too!
Trade:
80% junk,jokes or stupid comments
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Globe, Arizona
Posts: 361
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChainsawCharlie
Has it always been weak, or is this a recent development?
Check for leaks. Or blockage in the valve.
|
I am not trying to start something but i think you are on ignore.
|
|
|
08-07-2009, 12:52 AM
|
#11
|
|
Crash Test Dummy
Trade:
Landscaping
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Kauai
Posts: 2,037
|
I know.
Imagine how disappointed he'll be when he "logs out" to read my response.
|
|
|
08-07-2009, 09:57 AM
|
#12
|
|
Thom
Trade:
General Contractor/Homebuilder
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Albuquerque NM
Posts: 1,929
|
It is unlikely that debris in the lines would clog all the sprinkler heads partially and evenly. Checking sprinkler heads is a long shot. Most likely, removing a single head then turning on the system will produce a low flow at that open pipe.
Check the control valve. There are different types of automatic valves, some of which can get restricted with sand.
Check the flow back at the manifold. Try removing the vacuum breaker cap then turning on the system. This will get you closer to the source. Check the valve that controls the water supply to the manifold to insure it is fully on.
The problem here is more likely restricted flow than low pressure. Look for something that restricts flow.
|
|
|
08-07-2009, 02:42 PM
|
#13
|
|
That'll Buff Out
Trade:
Professional Painting
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Fort Wayne Indiana
Posts: 1,466
|
I had a weak sprinkler once, the doctor perscribed me Viagra
|
|
|
|
The Following User Says Thank You to ModernStyle For This Useful Post:
|
|
08-07-2009, 02:57 PM
|
#14
|
|
Crash Test Dummy
Trade:
Landscaping
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Kauai
Posts: 2,037
|
No need for a paint sprayer now, I bet...just chug down a 5 gallon bucket the night before a job?
|
|
|
|
The Following User Says Thank You to ChainsawCharlie For This Useful Post:
|
|
08-07-2009, 03:00 PM
|
#15
|
|
That'll Buff Out
Trade:
Professional Painting
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Fort Wayne Indiana
Posts: 1,466
|
built in stir stick
|
|
|
08-07-2009, 03:08 PM
|
#16
|
|
Pro
Trade:
Custom Home Remodeling 30+ yrs
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 357
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by ModernStyle
I had a weak sprinkler once, the doctor perscribed me Viagra
|
OK I tried that but the sprinkler heads satyed in the upright position even after we turned the water off. That was 3 hours ago so if it last one more hour we're calling a Tree Doctor.
Sorry I couldn't resist.
Anyway I knocked on his door this morning but seems he isn't home today. And now it's too flippin hot to go outside messing with anything.
Thanks for all the help though. If I fix his sprinklers he better let the ones between our houses spray my little side lawn too!
|
|
|
08-07-2009, 03:43 PM
|
#17
|
|
I do that too!
Trade:
80% junk,jokes or stupid comments
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Globe, Arizona
Posts: 361
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by MZ-HANDYMAN
OK I tried that but the sprinkler heads satyed in the upright position even after we turned the water off. That was 3 hours ago so if it last one more hour we're calling a Tree Doctor.
Sorry I couldn't resist.
Anyway I knocked on his door this morning but seems he isn't home today. And now it's too flippin hot to go outside messing with anything.
Thanks for all the help though. If I fix his sprinklers he better let the ones between our houses spray my little side lawn too!
|
Hot!? Where are you at MZ?
|
|
|
08-07-2009, 03:48 PM
|
#18
|
|
Crash Test Dummy
Trade:
Landscaping
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Kauai
Posts: 2,037
|
Texas, I believe.
Last edited by ChainsawCharlie; 08-09-2009 at 03:58 AM.
|
|
|
| Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
|
| Display Modes |
Rate This Thread |
Linear Mode
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
|