Are brass sprinkler valves worth it?

Higher Chemical Resistance — Brass is more resistant to chemicals typically found in irrigation water and therefore less susceptible to failure due to cracking. Longer Life — Brass valves can be used above and below grade whereas plastic degrades over time in extreme environments and in direct sunlight.

What happens if you put a irrigation valve on backwards?

“Every contractor has, at one time in his life, installed at least one valve backwards,” said Carowitz, “The valve generally won’t open, and if enough pressure is applied, it may do damage to the internal parts.”

Should sprinkler valves be buried?

Valves can be grouped together in manifolds, or installed individually – and valves should always be buried inside a plastic irrigation valve box. Never bury a valve directly in the dirt.

Can irrigation valves be installed vertically?

Each valve has an inlet and an outlet. The actual orientation of the valve from being installed vertical or horizontal is not an issue as this would be more of a convenience for maintenance purposes.

How long do brass sprinkler valves last?

Modern landscape irrigation valves are made of fiberglass- or nylon-reinforced plastic, and sometimes, brass. The vast majority are plastic. While some contractors may prefer brass valves for their longevity (a brass valve can last 50 years) they are more expensive.

How deep should a sprinkler valve box be?

Step 4: Install the Zone Valves Dig a trench from the main water line to the valve box location, as indicated on your plan. At the end, dig a hole about 18 inches deep and 2 to 3 feet long. Line the hole with 2 inches of gravel, then set the valve box into it. The box lid should be flush with the grass.

How far apart should irrigation valves be?

The distance between the sprinkler heads should not be more than 1 foot greater than the width of the planter. In other words, if the planter is 8 feet wide you would install half circle heads on both sides of the planter, not more than 9 feet apart from each other.

Can you use a metal detector to find sprinkler valves?

If your pipes are metal, the metal detector won’t tell you the location of the valve box, but it will tell you where the pipes are, so you can dig along the pipe to find the valve.

How high should sprinkler valves be?

The normal rule is at least 6 inches above the top of the highest sprinkler head, some brands say it must be 12 inches. If it isn’t higher, the built-in backflow preventer will not work. The anti-siphon valve will also spill water from the air vent if not installed higher than all the sprinklers or emitters.

Can a solenoid valve be installed upside down?

The solenoid valve is generally directional, so it cannot be installed upside down. Usually there is a sign “→” on the valve body to point out the direction of the medium flow.