Hello!

We have trouble with sprinkling system. When sprinkles go off every morning and evening hot water starts running by itself from the shower in the bathroom and runs for the whole time while sprinkles are on and there are also growling noises coming from the pipes. We called the plumber, he came and adjusted the pressure valve or something after which the leaking stopped but after a couple of days it started again.
The plumber said that if the problem persists he would have to change smth in the shower faucet. Since I don't want to be charged again I was wondering if it can be fixed without a plumber? Did anyone have a problem like that before?

Thanks in advance for any insight into the cause and solution.

Is you sprinkler system connected into the house plumbing somewhere in proximity of this shower ?

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Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal

Is you sprinkler system connected into the house plumbing somewhere in close proximity of this shower ?

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The line tees off about 15 feet from the shower, and on a different level.

Hello Galladiel, what type of shower valve do you have in your home? It seems that the pressure fluctuating is causing the valve to open on the hot side. Is it a pressure balancing valve? Please give us the brand name, model of valve, picture if possible thanks ------Zeke

Is that a pressure balanced faucet..
Also, when hot water runs , is the hot handle turned on ?

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Originally Posted by Galladiel

Hello!

We have trouble with sprinkling system. When sprinkles go off every morning and evening hot water starts running by itself from the shower in the bathroom and runs for the whole time while sprinkles are on and there are also growling noises coming from the pipes. We called the plumber, he came and adjusted the pressure valve or something after which the leaking stopped but after a couple of days it started again.
The plumber said that if the problem persists he would have to change smth in the shower faucet. Since I don't want to be charged again I was wondering if it can be fixed without a plumber? Did anyone have a problem like that before?

Thanks in advance for any insight into the cause and solution.

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I'm not a plumber, but I'm in the water treatment business. Milo, or other plumbers, what about installing a check valve between the irrigation line and the house? One other thought is that the irrigation may be taking too much pressure. What about smaller irrigation zones?

It is out of my area of expertise, so I'm not sure. Just a couple of thoughts.
Al

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The line tees off about 15 feet from the shower, and on a different level.

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But it still calls for cold water from the house system when the sprinklers kick on. Got a hunch Our Tampa friend nailed it when he posted,

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One other thought is that the irrigation may be taking too much pressure. What about smaller irrigation zones?

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Let's be more correct and change "pressure to "volume". It's exactly likie flushing the toilet when someone's in the shower. The cold water volume's cut way down and hot water takes over. As he suggests, cut back on the zones. A checkvalve won't decrease the volume of draw from your sprinklers but smaller zones will.
By the way, welcome Al to The Plumbing Page. I lived and worked in Tampa for a plumbing contractor back in the late 60's. Tom

Thanks for the welcome mat Tom!

I just thought that a check valve might keep the water in the pipes that was already there, so that it doesn't pull the lines' pressure down. Of course that won't work if anybody uses water at that time.

And, I thought maybe a check valve would be the cheapest / easiest fix. It is a whole lot easier than changing irrigation flow/ zones.

But, you are the expert my friend! :)
Al

Al,
All the check valve would do is hold pressure in the sprinkler system until the sprinklers bled it off.. It wouldn't affect the volume being diverted from the house once the sprinklers are turned on. Were you around in the late 60's when I lived up there? Cheers, Tom

Tom,
What I was thinking I guess depends on the plumbing layout. I was thinking that if the source water (well or municipal) goes to the irrigation first, then to the house that a check valve between the tee for the irrigation and the house line would prevent the house line from being drawn back to meet the irrigation demand. But, if it fed the house first, and continued on to the irrigation, then a check valve would not do anything. Does that make any sense?

I grew up in Indiana, and moved here when my wife and I got married. We're celebrating our 25th this month. So, we moved here in the early 80's. A good bit of Sun City Center was already developed by then. Sounds like if we would have been around at the same time that we probably would've been referring each other business!
Al

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I was thinking that if the source water (well or municipal) goes to the irrigation first, then to the house that a check valve between the tee for the irrigation and the house line would prevent the house line from being drawn back to meet the irrigation demand. But, if it fed the house first, and continued on to the irrigation, then a check valve would not do anything. Does that make any sense?

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Lay it out on paper Al and you'll see that a check valve placed anywhere would be pretty useless. What happens when the sprinklers are drawing volume and the check valve closes the house off. The house is now isolated from the source. Then I flush a potty! What do you think will happen to the house pressure? That's right, sports fans! It bleeds the pressure down until you shut the sprinklers off and the check valve opens up. What I'm trying to say here is that's there's no free ride. With a single source you simply can not get either more pressure or volume then originally goes in. And if you build up there house pressure and then close it off it will stay pressured up until someone opens up a faucet.
Back in the 70's I ran from Bradenton to Sun City and back every day with a plumbing crew water piping the units. Regards, Tom

Tom,
Exactly what I was thinking. If the irrigation comes on in the middle of the night like the original post said, and nobody uses water then the check valve would retain the water so it doesn't make all the noise and wake them up. But if any water gets used in the house, then you are absolutely right the water pressure drops in the line and they have moaning and groaning monsters in the pipes again.

So, it seems like they could either re-zone, or install a check valve and maybe even a small bladder tank between the check valve and the house to store a little pressure. Which ever would be easier.

But, long-term the best solution would be to regulate the irrigation to restrict flow and pressure drop in the line to at least a minimum or 20 or so psi, would be my best guess.

I know the way my irrigation is set up, I would probably do the check valve first because it is easiest. I would have to go under driveways, and sidewalks to re-zone my irrigation though. Do-able but, a lot of trouble.

I guess you made a living out of our little town back then, huh? I have never had a long project. A long one for me is a week or two building a water treatment plant, or re-hab on one for a small community or something similar. That's good though, my attention span is a little short sometimes. The changes of scenery helps keep me going!
Al

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I guess you made a living out of our little town back then, huh? I have never had a long project. A long one for me is a week or two building a water treatment plant, or re-hab on one for a small community or something similar. That's good though, my attention span is a little short sometimes. The changes of scenery helps keep me going!

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My last big project was a division called " The Meadows" in Sarasota. Had 5 subdivisions in various stages of development plus phase two of a shopping center coming out of the ground. I supered the job. I worked 5 trucks of plumbers and helpers for six years on that project. After the project wound on down I was brought back into the shop as the shop trouble shooter and warranty repair man until I retired in 1988. And now here I am, still plumbing by " remote control". Some day I plan on retiring for good, but "what da hay!"
I'm only 81. There's still a lotta life left in this old carcass. Guess I'll hang around AMHD till I drop! Have a great day! Tom

Tom,
Plumbing by "remote control" is not nearly as painful as turning the wrench! It would be interesting to see how some of these remote control jobs actually turn out, don't you think? I know some are great... some are probably, not so good?

It's nice to be able to help other people that way!

So, did the check valve idea make any sense to you? Or, am I totally out in left field?
Al

Thank you everyone for your help!
We changed the shower faucet cartridge and that seems to have done the job. I guess it was too old (the house is 30 years old). We had trouble taking it out. Ended up getting out the cartridge body with the outer case firmly stuck inside. Got it out eventually.
Thanks again everyone! I didn't think I would get such a good response.
This is a great site!

We're glad everything worked out. If changing out the cartridge hasn't completely solved your problem then click on back. Good luck, Tom