Can’t get irrigation to turn back on
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- Posts: 2
- Joined: May 27th, 2021, 11:21 pm
- Location: Bozeman, MT
- Grass Type: Kentucky Blue Grass
- Lawn Size: Not Specified
- Level: Not Specified
Can’t get irrigation to turn back on
We bought our house last year just before winter. First time owning a home with a well and irrigation system. Had a local company come and blow out the system, unfortunately I was not home when they did. We bought the house from an older lady whose husband had died, and she didn’t know how the water system for the property worked. The company that winterized lost most of their employees to unemployment, including the tech that serviced our system. So I’m working in the dark here.
The pick below shows the irrigation box beside the well. I took apart the electric valve to make sure it was working, there is water in the line but no pressure. I thought the manual valve pictures might be the main shit off to the house, obviously not, I opened it while I had the electric valve apart, still no pressure and closing it does nothing to the house water. The house shit off must just be the valve in the basement. I then found a long below grade valve tool buried in the garage, stuck it down the 2” pvc pictured with a cap and found that there is a valve about 4’ down. I can feel the tool grab it. Problem is it won’t turn. I’ve sprayed WD40 and break free down there and applied as much force as I can, tried going both ways. No movement. So there’s the problem. I figure that valve has to be the main irrigation shut off, but can’t turn it. None of our neighbors are sure their systems are different. I really really don’t want to dig it up but can’t think of anything else to do.
Sorry for the long description but I’m at a loss here so any help is much appreciated. Thanks.
The pick below shows the irrigation box beside the well. I took apart the electric valve to make sure it was working, there is water in the line but no pressure. I thought the manual valve pictures might be the main shit off to the house, obviously not, I opened it while I had the electric valve apart, still no pressure and closing it does nothing to the house water. The house shit off must just be the valve in the basement. I then found a long below grade valve tool buried in the garage, stuck it down the 2” pvc pictured with a cap and found that there is a valve about 4’ down. I can feel the tool grab it. Problem is it won’t turn. I’ve sprayed WD40 and break free down there and applied as much force as I can, tried going both ways. No movement. So there’s the problem. I figure that valve has to be the main irrigation shut off, but can’t turn it. None of our neighbors are sure their systems are different. I really really don’t want to dig it up but can’t think of anything else to do.
Sorry for the long description but I’m at a loss here so any help is much appreciated. Thanks.
- MorpheusPA
- Posts: 18137
- Joined: March 5th, 2009, 7:32 pm
- Location: Zone 6 (Eastern PA)
- Grass Type: Elite KBG
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Re: Can’t get irrigation to turn back on
White lithium might work, particularly if you let it sit for a bit to work into the valve. But I'm sure others will have better ideas.
Beware twisting too hard, old metal can break...
Beware twisting too hard, old metal can break...
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- Posts: 3874
- Joined: January 3rd, 2009, 2:28 am
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Re: Can’t get irrigation to turn back on
There may be another valve. I think my system had three (one outside and two inside).
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- Posts: 2
- Joined: May 27th, 2021, 11:21 pm
- Location: Bozeman, MT
- Grass Type: Kentucky Blue Grass
- Lawn Size: Not Specified
- Level: Not Specified
Re: Can’t get irrigation to turn back on PROBLEM FIXED
Thanks for the input. It was the right valve, just very stuck. I sprayed WD40 and break free down there a few times over a couple days, then found a neighbor with a much more stout valve tool and he and wrenched together to get it to turn. He said he has the same problem every few years. If anyone has any tricks for helping prevent this, I'm all ears. But the valve is about 4 feet down so I'm not sure there is a good answer there. In the mean time, sprinklers are on. Thanks guys.
- MorpheusPA
- Posts: 18137
- Joined: March 5th, 2009, 7:32 pm
- Location: Zone 6 (Eastern PA)
- Grass Type: Elite KBG
- Lawn Size: 10000-20000
- Level: Advanced
Re: Can’t get irrigation to turn back on
Keep the valve well-oiled (WD40 really isn't very good, but WL products are). It'll help avoid valve freeze.
WD40 can be used to temporarily drive off water, but...it fades fast.
WD40 can be used to temporarily drive off water, but...it fades fast.
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