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toddf2 · May 30, 2010, 06:29 AM

Hello, I just put in a garden hose sprinkler system with zones. I scheduled it to run last night and it did but when I woke up this morning I thought there was a helicopter above my house. I went into the basement and found my Wellmate reservator shaking as were the pipes in my house. I went out side immediately and found water spewing out of the faucet and joints. I thought I read somewhere you can get things to prevent this from happening. But I think it has to do with the pressure in the line. Does anyone have any ideas? I really want to keep this sprinkler system working but I am scared that I might destroy the pipes, well pump or something and have a bigger problem on my hand.

Thanks,
Todd

pants1 · May 30, 2010, 09:47 AM

What kind of sprinkler heads are you using? Do they rotate or are they misters? If you have too much pressure, you can always try wiring two zones together and see if this is more suitable. Changing the nozzles in a rotary head will allow more water through, which will better distibute the pressure. I might try these more simple fixes before cutting out, replacing or adding valves.

afaroo · May 30, 2010, 09:54 AM

Sorry Guys I miss read and deleted my comments Thanks to Tom.

Best Regards
John

pants1 · May 30, 2010, 10:05 AM

It sounds like a do-it-yourself project. Some of the valves from big box home improvement stores are notorious for this kind of thing. I would recommend purchasing contractor grade valves (Rainbird or Hunter). There is a kind of shock absorber fitting that can be cut into copper lines, but I have never installed one so I don't have any sense of their effectivenss.

speedball1 · May 30, 2010, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by ;

There is a kind of shock absorber fitting that can be cut into copper lines, but I have never installed one so I don't have any sense of their effectivenss.

Pants is referring to a air chamber=,(see image) Air chambers are there to cushion the shock of water hammer, seat chatter and vibration.
You can build your own using PCC. You'll need a PVC tee in the correct size with a 3/4" branch. 14" of 3/4' PVC pipe and a 3/.4" hard cap. You will also need a can of PVC cement and primer. Cut the tee in just in a upright position after the supply shut off and prime and glue in the PVC pipe and hard cap.
Let the joints cure and set up and cycle the sprinklers. Noise all gone?
Good luck, Tom

toddf2 · May 30, 2010, 02:00 PM

Thanks for all your help. I have been told that my major problem is that I am using a outdoor tap to supply my sprinkler system. The outdoor tap can not handle been left on all the time and being hit with constant pressure. But if the air chamber will work I could give that a try.

speedball1 · May 31, 2010, 06:27 AM

Originally Posted by afaroo

Hello Pants1,

This is a 3 years old post, and I installed a pressure reduced valve, Thanks.

John

John,
This is a current thread that was started 5/30/10', Regards, Tom

Todd,

The outdoor tap can not handle been left on all the time and being hit with constant pressure

If the hose bib were left open pressure would not affect it as it would simply flow pastthe outside tap, Had John installed a pressure tank instead of a PRV that would have acted the same as a large air chamber. Regards, Tom