About Automatic Sprinkler Valves
A sprinkler system without automatic functionality is a problem waiting to happen. Arid climates make automated sprinkler systems a necessity, and these systems are incomplete without an electric sprinkler valve. PlumbersStock offers a variety of sprinkler valves from trusted manufacturers, so you are comfortable with your purchase.
Our prices are unbeatable, and the service is excellent. Choose PlumbersStock for all your irrigation needs, including sprinkler wire, sprinkler controllers, drip irrigation, and more.
How Does an Automatic Sprinkler Valve Work?
The valve should be placed at the main distribution point in your irrigation system. From there, it is connected to the central control panel. The control system indicates to the valve when to open and close based on the timer the user has programmed. This allows you to strategize and plan to run the system at the optimal parts of the day to create a healthier yard. The two most common types of electric sprinkler valve:
- Flow Control Valves - This valve is what allows your automatic sprinkler system to turn itself on and off at the scheduled times.
- Anti-Siphon Valves - This valve is almost always a 2-in-1 valve. It offers the same function as the flow control automatic sprinkler valve but also has a built-in backflow preventer that protects your home's drinking water from becoming contaminated.
When Is the Best Time to Run My Sprinklers?
Typically, the best time to run your sprinklers is either in the early morning or late evening. The tendency is to give your lawn relief from the hot mid-day sun, but it is counterproductive to run the sprinklers then because (1) water is lost to evaporation, and (2) the sun heats the water, which is not ideal for grass. You want there to be sunlight, but be sure to set your electric sprinkler valve to water the lawn during the cooler parts of the day.
How Long Should I Water My Lawn?
We recommend running your sprinklers for 15 minutes and then checking the soil about 18 hours later. With a shovel, investigate how deep the moisture is and that will tell you how long your sprinklers should run. Example: If you were looking to water about 6 inches down and watering for 15 minutes yielded 3 inches of wet soil, then you would want to double up and set your system to water for 30 minutes. You can make an estimate based on the soil type:
- Clay soils require about 1 inch of water to reach 4 inches deep into the soil.
- Loamy soils require about 1 inch of water to reach 6-8 inches deep
- Sandy soils do not require nearly as much water. 1 inch of water can give you about 12 inches of soil penetration
Clay retains water a lot longer than sandier soil. To account for this, we recommend you water more frequently for shorter periods. For example, rather than running the sprinklers for 30 minutes every other day, we recommend you run the sprinklers for 15 minutes daily.
How to Determine Soil Type
An excellent way to determine what kind of soil you have is to take a quart jar and add about 2-3 cups of soil. Fill the rest with water and screw on a lid. Shake it up well, so all the soil is wet and diluted. Allow it to settle for a day or so, and once it does, you will see distinct layers of dirt. You will tell how much clay vs. sand you have because it will settle in layers in the jar.
Trusted Manufacturers
PlumbersStock knows how important it is for homeowners to have a reliable automatic irrigation system, so we only carry electric sprinkler valves from brand names you know and trust. Featured among them are:
- K-Rain
- Rain Bird
- Toro
- Orbit
- Irritrol
Whether you need a high-end, commercial sprinkler valve or an affordable but quality residential model, we have the wide selection of discount parts that you seek.
Buy Electric Sprinkler Valves Online
If you have trouble finding the best automatic sprinkler valve, contact us for quick and convenient help. We have a customer service team trained specifically with you in mind. We offer excellent service and great prices. Find out why we are an industry-leading online lawn and garden store.
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Resources:
What Is an Anti-Siphon Valve
How to Replace a Sprinkler Valve
