Low head drainage or a solenoid?

[Hysperian]

I've been trying to chase this issue for a while. I've got a zone with 3 Hunter PGPs and have been dealing with what I gathered was a low-head drainage issue. One of the sprinkler heads was leaking water while the pump was off. I physically raised the sprinkler head a couple of inches, and the problem moved to one of the other sprinklers. I decided to add the Hunter check valves inside the sprinkler head in all three sprinklers. When I did so, the issue moved to one of the other heads. I opened it, checked, and ensured everything was clean and reinstalled. Now, one of the others is leaking. Do I have faulty check valves? Is the solenoid leaking? I opened the solenoid and checked for debris, which didn't seem to have fixed anything. Any help would be appreciated before I go and replace the solenoid.

 

[WorthFlorida]

Gravity is draining the system. Where it starts is probably the lowest spinkler in the system. There is no harm because the pipe is draining from the zone valve to the sprinklers. It's all normal. Check valves help with run off on sidewalks creating slippery mold or ice forming.

Are you on city water or pump/pressure tank? Does the drainage ever stop? If on city water and you have a digital meter, they can display the smallest amount of leakage. Even mechanical meters have a small pin wheel that will rotate with small leaks.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Hysperian]

Gravity is draining the system. Where it starts is probably the lowest spinkler in the system. There is no harm because the pipe is draining from the zone valve to the sprinklers. It's all normal. Check valves help with run off on sidewalks creating slippery mold or ice forming.

Are you on city water or pump/pressure tank? Does the drainage ever stop? If on city water and you have a digital meter, they can display the smallest amount of leakage. Even mechanical meters have a small pin wheel that will rotate with small leaks.

I’ve got a well pump system. The drainage never stops, which is why I’m believing it to be the solenoid. The pump will also cycle every couple hours. I picked up a new hunter pgv and will replace the guts and see if that solves the issue

 

[Hysperian]

Update, new Hunter PGV did NOT solve the problem. Still getting constant leak by on that valve. Any ideas appreciated. That whole area stays basically flooded.

 

[WorthFlorida]

Very strange. Irrigation pump or shallow well jet pump with a pressure tank? What model controller? Is there a check valve before the pump inlet or a foot valve down the well?

All sprinklers of that zone need to have checked valves and there are only three? Water is being siphoned. Depending on your configuration, adding a master valve may be needed.

installing a vacuum breaker at the top end of the zone about 12-14" above grade should break the vacuum of the siphon when the water is off. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Orbit-3-4-in-Brass-Atmospheric-Vacuum-Breaker-51059/100149151

 

[Hysperian]

Sta-rite jet pump with Rachio controller. Had an old RainBird controller before, issue followed.

There is a new foot valve that was put in a couple weeks ago. This was an issue before the foot valve replacement as well.

All three sprinklers have the check valve installed.

I did a test where I shut the cutoff valve to the sprinklers for a few hours and came back and opened it back up and water flowed into the pipes. I'm not exactly sure what to make of that.

 

[Hysperian]

Could another zone be causing the issue?

 

[WorthFlorida]

Where are you at with this? I doubt another zone is causing it. Adding a master valve might be the solution. You add a zone valve between the pump and irrigation system. It's wired to the MV terminal in the controller. Power is applied to the MV when a program is running for its duration. Im sure it can share the MV terminal with pump start relay.

Have you tried shutting the water off right after the pump or pressure tank?

 

[Fitter30]

Think there is one solenoid valve leaking through. The flow control knob screw that down all the way count the turns make a note. Do that to the 3 sol valves. Water stop open one at a time adjusting to setting. Do that to all valves.