Today Property Care Guys did Irrigation Repairs and Solenoid locating in Wembley Downs, North West of Perth
Alistair called reporting his watering stations weren’t working properly since a colourbond fence was installed down the side of the house, which is where the pipes and wires run. We tested the stations and number 3 was staying on. So I tested the wiring and it was working normal to these 3, eliminating any crossed wires. Then we ran a manual test which confirmed the number 3 solenoid valve plunger was sticking. All 3 valves were old Rainbird ones at the same age meaning likely the others will soon fail. We replaced them all with Aussie made units with stop switches and flow control, repaired the PVC Manifold and a poly pipe leak.
But what about number one? After quite a bit of tracking around the yard with the solenoid valve finder, with readings from the fence itself (maybe a wire was cut with a metal post) the valve was discovered under newly laid paving (common!) right next to the Master valve. Obviously, the wiring ran down the side from there to the controller at the back. Replacing the length would mean pulling up the pavers down the side or running a new loom through the roof and conduit up and down the walls.
We took a far cheaper and instant option: Leave valve one open constantly so that the front garden is watered when all other stations come on. Luckily it only ran micro sprays and drippers so I could turn the valve flow control down allowing less water through. Not quite by the books but a nice easy and reliable fix which saves money. System including sprinklers fixed.
Don’t drive posts through piping and wire circuits! Detect your reticulation solenoid valves before you pave! (and tell the contractor several times to not cover them up 🙂
