Sprinkler oozing / zone not on
 

One of my sprinklers continues to ooze water even when that zone, and the system as a whole, is not on, see attached photo.

If I switch off the irrigation water feed, the problem stops.

I took the head off and flushed that zone out, with no change in the ooze.

In general plumbing terms this would be a clogged or failing shutoff valve, but I don't know the relevance of this to irrigation, which I think is controlled by solenoids in the box with the purple lid.

Other facts that I don't think are relevant:
* I maintain my own system, had installed a whole system irrigation filter so I no longer have to clean all 30 individual heads
* I controll the system off the phone with the Hunter module
* Although this sprinkler abuts the street, I dont think it is a matter of someone having parked on it, someone did that to a neighbor and I saw the results, this water is coming out of the top.

I have turned the water off to the system, and initiated "Suspend all zones" while I figure this out, but this is a most undesirable work around, as I take alot of pride in the lawn, it is nice and green, and now I will have to turn the valve and use the phone remote every time I want to water.

I had the same (I think) issue. My first zone would be on no matter what. Then the other zones couldn't get enough pressure to run all the heads. When no zone was running the first zone was oozing.

It was the solenoid. Not that I needed to replace it, but they turn 1/4 turn to bypass the valve. In my case when the irrigation company flushed for winter (this is in Massachusetts) they must have left one of the solenoids open a bit. So open you boxes and look at your solenoids.

I may not be explaining correctly, but check this video and make sure that your solenoids are hand tight when not running.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Fe2ZCBa99Q

I tend to agree about the solenoid, but I would also check it for a leak.

I agree. The solenoid valves should shut off the water supply to all sprinkler heads. The only other way to have a continuous leak in the sprinkler system would be a leak in the pipe from the street to the solenoid valves.

Thanks guys, I will start poking around in that mysterious box.

When you open the control box you will find a valve for each zone. Along with the solenoids, you will see a rectangular cover with 4 small screws to attach it to the unit. Under this cover is a diaphragm that can wear out over time. They are easily replaceable and will likely solve your problem. I replaced all them in my system along with 1 solenoid when we bought our house 3 yrs. ago. As I inspected the system 2 of my zones were seeping while off.

They sell the diaphragms for the Hunter solenoids at Lowe’s. It’s a an easy fix.

Shut off the water to the box
Unscrew the four screws on the top of the solenoid
Remove the top and spring
Remove the diaphragm
Clean or wipe out inside
Replace with new diaphragm, reassemble in reverse order and turn water back on

Note, the diaphragm can’t be repaired, so buy the part before doing this. Scratches, cuts etc are not always visible with the naked eye.

Total cost for the project is 7 dollars and some coin.

If it's only one head you'd think more would be acting the same if it was a lose solenoid, but it may. More often than not it's just gravity draining the lines from up hill but that would stop after some time.

That super easy to check too. If you unscrew the rotator head in your problem are, water would continue to come out of the head even with the electrical control box saying everything is off. Usually you will see 3 or four with pools of water in their donuts within the same zone when the diaphragm is damaged.

Watch this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBajCvLNem8 and also https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DePn0HgcGbg

The first is the basic valve the second is actual repair.

If the heads are pop-ups, it takes a certain amount of water pressure for the head to pop up. It could be that the other heads are not getting enough pressure to pop up.

Probably the diaphragm or debris sticking it open? You can buy the diaphragm separate and not have buy the whole valve.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROf5STYp9qg

Amazon.com

One thing you might stop doing is using vise grips on the pop up. Reason is, the teeth will cause the plastic to loose it's smoothness and start wearing the rubber it slides up and down against causing leaking. You can carefully use the video grips on the sprinkler head with very little pressure to hold them up. That isn't what's causing your issue though.
If this sprinkler is the lowest in the zone, it's natural that gravity causes water to sit against that head. I had exact same issue and there was a fine crack in the body of the sprinkler near the base. These easily unscrew and cost under $10 and very likely can cause the issue. Then if you've done that, work backwards toward the solenoid as suggested. Good luck.

Okay I hate being the grammar police, but this drives me nuts. So just for you all going forward...

Lose: I lost my money. Oh no, how did you lose it.

Loose: This knot has come loose.

Thank you and you may return to your conversation. :D

I’ll bet It’s diaphragm leaking, either something holding it open (calcium?, got crack, or little piece of white screen causing it to stick. Gone to have to take top off and see what’s going on whether it 4 or 6 screw valve housing internals are similar. As far as vise grips need to wrap electrical tape around jaws to prevent damage.