If you own a sprinkler system, then you have a sprinkler valve box.
The valve box is where the water from the main valve is controlled and redirected. Extremely wet or icy and dirty conditions can cause problems with the sprinkler system, including a need to turn off the water.
A lot of people aren’t aware that these boxes can get damp due to rain or moisture in the soil around it.
So, how do you ensure your sprinkler valve box does not have moisture or dirt in it? You can do so by elevating the box so that groundwater and dirt do not reach it, cover it with tarp or seal with caulk if there’s evidence of cracks.
This blog post will provide information on how to keep your sprinkler valve box dry so that it doesn’t cause any problems with your backflow prevention device!
Table of Contents
What are sprinkler valve boxes?
A sprinkler valve box is an openable container that houses water control devices like backflow preventers and sprinkler manifolds.
The most commonly used ones are fire hydrants, hose bibs and valves for turning off the supply of water to sprinklers.
Fire companies use these boxes when they need to turn off the flow of hydrants or other sources during emergencies such as fires, floods, earthquakes etc., in order not to let them interfere with their work.
Why are they important
Generally speaking, if you live in a house that has irrigation system installed then it will likely have at least one sprinkler valve box on its property; although there are homes which don’t have any due to the fact that some people can’t be bothered installing them themselves since many find this process complicated and arduous.
Most sprinkler valve boxes are installed in the ground, and they come with a lid to protect the valve from damage (weather conditions) when not being used.
Some more advanced models have valves that can be opened remotely by pressing on an app; these types of devices allow for easy control over irrigation systems even if you happen to be away at work or sleeping during those times your property might need some water added onto it.
How to know if you need one
The main issue which most people seem to encounter is installing the device properly since these things aren’t as simple as sticking one into the dirt and pushing down hard enough so that it stays there without any problems whatsoever – this is especially true for people who live in areas where temperatures go below freezing in the wintertime, as they can cause damage to sprinklers.
There are a few ways that you should be able to tell whether or not you need one of these devices installed in your property before it becomes too severe and damages any type of expensive equipment up there – for example, if water is running through the pipes but none comes out when turned on remotely from inside or outside then this means that there’s an issue with the device itself; also, if nozzles start spraying water around randomly at random times without being touched only then do you know something is wrong.
Additionally, another way to determine whether or not a malfunction has occurred might come down purely to timing: while most people assume that their sprinkler system turns on at a set time, but the truth is that there are many factors that could affect this – for example, if it’s been raining and your lawn has started to change color or stop growing then you might want to get an expert in.
Effects of a wet sprinkler valve box
Wet sprinkler boxes are no big deal.
In fact, they were designed to be wet from time-to-time and that is actually part of the way a water irrigation system works.
The connection between the box and main pipe should not worry you either because it also has been made with this in mind.
Your pipes will still work as they should even when the box is wet.
In rare situations, pipes could be compromised but this can happen with any type of water system and it is very unlikely to happen at all.
What you need to worry about then are the effects on your basement if there was standing water in that area from a sprinkler valve getting overfilled or if you see water seeping out from the box.
It’s possible that your basement could flood in these cases, which can be a major inconvenience and cause extensive damage to any possessions stored there if it is not taken care of quickly.
This would usually only happen when heavy rain has been falling for some time or during snowmelt season where there is a lot of water and it can’t drain fast enough to keep up with the amount coming in.
What causes a sprinkler valve box to get damp
The sprinkler valve box can start to get damp due to a few things.
One reason is the fact that it’s on the ground, and water drains downward rather than in all directions like it would when placed up high off of the ground.
Another reason for this is because most people install valves outside which means they are exposed to more rainwater or other moisture sources such as lawns, gardens, etc…
And lastly, valves are designed to collect some moisture as they operate and become wetter over time.
If your backflow prevention device is installed in an area with heavy rainfall, like Florida or Louisiana, it will need extra protection from moisture in the soil around it.
How to keep sprinkler valve box dry
Keeping your sprinkler valves dry is important to ensure that they work properly.
There are many ways you can do this, but these five steps will help keep the box as dry as possible.
1. Keep the sprinkler valve box elevated
Elevating your backflow prevention device will help keep it dry, as water drains below.
You can use a brick or stone wall around it for support if you don’t want to build an entire foundation with cement blocks and rebar.
A concrete barrier is also a good way of keeping moisture away from your backflow preventer – this prevents roots from getting into the ground that may be growing near the backflow device.
2. Place a tarp over it
This will help ensure all moisture is removed by preventing any liquids from getting inside of your valve box.
You can also use tarps on top of your backflow protection system to create a cover – this helps stop leaks when there are high winds during storms.
A good idea is placing two tarps together so they overlap each other – one as roofing material for waterproofing and another as insulation against heat loss (depending on where you live).
You can also use an HVAC filter to protect the sprinkler valve box from dirt and debris, or cover it with a rain cap if you live in an area that gets heavy rainfall.
3. Create a seal
If your backflow prevention system gets cracked, then it’s best to place a backflow protector over the area that is leaking.
This will prevent water from seeping in and causing damage or rusting on your sprinkler valves.
If you have any cracked valves, seal them up with caulk or silicone sealant, so that they don’t leak out any more water than necessary!
To recap…
You can find sprinkler valve boxes at your local home improvement store.
They’re a quick and easy way to ensure that the valves in your system are protected from dirt, debris or other substances which could potentially cause them damage.
The key is making sure they don’t get wet by elevating the box so it doesn’t sit on ground level, covering them with tarps for protection during rainstorms or sealing cracks if there’s evidence of moisture coming through.
So, don’t wait if you’re confident about installing one yourself.
Give it a go today!
