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strick21 · Jun 1, 2011, 06:27 PM

I installed a sprinkler system a few months back. It has worked fine until a few days ago. I have 3 zones and 2 of the 3 work and hold pressure fine.

1 zone in particular though, cuts on at 35 and off at 55 as it should. However, for the past 6 months the operating pressure has been right at 32 or so and the pump steady runs. Recently though, after a few minutes of running, the pressure drops off gradually and winds up running on or around 21 which is not quite enough pressure to do what it needs to do.

Any thoughts on why the sudden pressure loss but not completely? I have checked for leaks but haven't found any. Do I need to dig up the whole system simply to look for a leaky 90 or T?

Help.

Thanks

Jon Strickland

Milo Dolezal · Jun 1, 2011, 07:15 PM

There are things that I would check:

1. Check for broken pipes underground
2. Make sure your sprinkler lines, sprinkler heads and # of sprinklers installed on that particular zone are sized properly.

Back to you... Milo

strick21 · Jun 1, 2011, 07:56 PM

Test

strick21 · Jun 1, 2011, 07:58 PM

Milo,

I plan to check for leaks at some point this week. I assume I'll have to dig up every single foot of pipe to visually inspect couplings, T's, 90's and adapters. What's going to make me mad is if I dig up this pretty yard and find nothing.

As for my sprinkler GPM - It has worked beautifully for the past 5 months, then all of a sudden..?

Thanks,

Jon

Milo Dolezal · Jun 1, 2011, 08:10 PM

Well, if it worked OK before - and the other two branches work just fine - than leak is a strong possibility.

Look for wet spots. No need to expose entire line. You can remove all sprinkler heads on that particular branch and plug them first with 1/2" IP plug. Turn sprinklers on and see if any water is being "pushed" through - even with all heads plugged. If you notice that water is flowing though than leave sprinklers ON for several minutes . It will eventually come up to the ground. That's where the leak is.

Let us know how you did. Back to you. Milo

strick21 · Jun 2, 2011, 06:10 PM

Milo,

I did some tests and looked for leaks. Come to find out. I'm running out of water due to the drought here in Florida.

To find this out, I simply turned on "1" spigot only and after a few moments the pressure decreased dramatically. Frankly we need some rain bad. We're about 15" below already for the year.

I did take on sprinkler head off my zone to buy me some time for now. Just hope the rain comes.

Thanks and I'll be keeping an eye on the messages posted.

Jon

strick21 · Jun 2, 2011, 06:12 PM

Further - I'm only about 45' feet deep with a deep well Myers. It does the trick I simply think in order to get maximum flow in these conditions, I need to be much deeper.. . Too bad!

Jon