Sprinkler Repair – Fixing A Faulty Valve
As sprinkler repair experts, a popular dilemma we see really quickly in dry climates is often a faulty valve. This short article describes how ideal to diagnose and repair a faulty valve by replacing a failed solenoid. Although electrical elements are relatively trustworthy, a typical point of failure could be the solenoid. The explanation for this is that a solenoid is both an electrical and mechanical device. A fixed wire coil surrounds a mechanical piston, and when an electrical present is applied towards the coil, a short-term magnetic field is created which induces motion in the piston. This motion in the piston is used to mechanically open and close the water valve. Get additional data about sprinkler repair garland
Here is often a tip on the best way to diagnose a faulty solenoid. In dry climates, like the Dallas Metroplex, or in the course of periods of little rain, one section or zone of a sprinkler system will look distinctive for the other zones. Either the sprinklers in that zone will not switch on, or they may be on constantly. Solenoid failure has the symptom of a valve becoming inoperative, either remaining inside the closed position, or remaining in the open position. Normally this may disable an entire sprinkler zone, so is usually uncomplicated to diagnose. This can be a popular sprinkler repair.
Replacement solenoids are accessible for most valves, and it’s a relatively simple job to replace one. Right here is often a tip just before beginning the job: be sure you have identified the precise make and model in the valve, as there are various variations of solenoids which are incompatible. Check along with your sprinkler repair company or hardware store that an precise replacement is obtainable prior to beginning work. The only tools essential are a pair of wire cutters and a pair of pliers.
Significant advice: ensure that the key water provide towards the sprinkler system is turned off, as removing the solenoid suggests the valve is going to be fully open at that time, and water will shoot up via the solenoid body if not turned off. Tip: typically the shutoff is either positioned close to the main home supply, or next for the major valve box, so look in these two areas initially. When the water is turned off, assuming the faulty valve has been identified, the repair can commence. Having a pair of wire cutters, cut the 2 wires going towards the solenoid. It may be tempting to just disconnect the existing screw connectors that are close to the valve, but they are often corroded and it is superior to create a clean-cut.
After the solenoid is cost-free in the existing wires, it might be removed by turning it counter-clockwise, plus the new solenoid installed by turning it clockwise. Ensure it is actually tight enough to get a water-tight seal. When installed, strip about half an inch of insulation back from each of your provide wires and use a fresh screw nut to connect the solenoid. There are actually two wires to become connected, the supply wire as well as the common wire. The frequent wire is commonly white to produce it simpler to identify.
Right here is some very important information that will avert challenges taking place some time later (following this advice will price a couple of dollars more now, but can save difficult difficulties later on): When the connections are tight make sure to always use a special water-tight cap over the connections. Sprinkler grease caps are out there from neighborhood sprinkler supply retailers. These caps are plastic tubes filled with grease; the connectors are pushed into the grease, as well as the folding prime snapped down. This ensures the connectors are surrounded by grease, which prevents water entry and corrosion. This very simple and low-cost step will help avert intermittent challenges as a result of corrosion occurring later. When the grease caps are closed, the solenoid sprinkler repair is total.
Inside a dry climate, ensure that any grass that was damaged by an inoperative solenoid valve receives enough watering to recover, just before returning the watering schedule to its typical setting. In wetter climates, it might be feasible to just resume standard watering.
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