Low Pressure in One Zone - LawnSite.com™

blueline · #1 06-28-2010, 11:14 AM

I noticed some burnout where I hadn't previously had any issues. I turned on the zone and saw that the sprays weren't reaching that area. It seems like the pressure on that zone is much lower than the adjoining zone that has the same number of heads.

I checked the filters on each head which were fine and left the last head off to see if I could flush it. The water would just bubble up and wasn't a gusher.

This is either a valve issue or a leak, right? If I turn the spray heads off at the head and my pump still runs, it would confirm a leak? I don't have any wet unusually green areas.

Thanks,
BL

ps: I've been fight with some voles (though not in that area).

WalkGood · #2 06-28-2010, 03:37 PM

Who is winning?

Open the valve manually..... does the volume/pressure get any better?

DanaMac · #3 06-28-2010, 03:39 PM

Valve, leak, tree roots, bad wiper seals, over stretched zone. many possibilities.

Mike Leary · #4 06-28-2010, 03:41 PM

Might as well replace the bonnet if you can get one. We've found leaks/breaks by capping all the heads. Worst case would be to hit the zone with air and water and blow it out of the ground.

blueline · #5 06-28-2010, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WalkGood

Who is winning?

Open the valve manually..... does the volume/pressure get any better?

The Voles. I've caught a lot of chipmunks in my trap though....

The pressure/volume isn't any better opening manually. My next step tonight is to turn the sprays off and see if the pump still runs to determine if it is a leak. The other possibility is a tree root that is compressing the poly.

FIMCO-MEISTER · #6 06-28-2010, 04:21 PM

If it's the whole zone and not just a few heads on the zone then i'd turn it on and start at the manifold and slowly walk along your best guess as to where the ditch line is to be certain you don't have a leak. definitely turn off those heads. I'm guessing it had worked fine previously. Too bad your valve isn't right next to the zone. Be a lot easier to troubleshoot.

Go Sox........how about those Rangers this year!......I'm thinking World Series.
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unit28 · #7 06-28-2010, 04:50 PM

any new neighbors? peek over the fence when that zone's running.

WalkGood · #8 06-29-2010, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueline

The pressure/volume isn't any better opening manually. My next step tonight is to turn the sprays off and see if the pump still runs to determine if it is a leak. The other possibility is a tree root that is compressing the poly.

Get ready to dig!

If you do not have water flow on the meter with all heads turned off, then check the valve.

Turn off the water and then open up the valve. Could be some debris in the valve. If no debris to flush out, then swap the diaphragm assembly with the adjacent zone that you know still works (assuming they are the same model). If the flow improves on the problem zone and gets worse on the other zone you now know you have bad valve guts. Get a new valve and swap out the bad guts for the new guts.

If no change in flow, then try to follow the zone line from the valve out to the first head. Half way between, locate the zone line cut into it to check the flow/pressure. If it is bad, then the problem is between there and the zone valve. Otherwise it is between that point and the first head. Use an air compressor or garden hose water to reverse blow out the section of line where the problem is indicated. Cold be some small stones/rocks (from the initial sloppy install) are jammed in there.