THE CORE OF YOUR IRRIGATION SYSTEM: THE IRRIGATION VALVE

Every systemic set up has a heart or core and with irrigation systems, that’s the irrigation valve.  In almost every system you can name, you’ll probably have two different types, even though there are many types of valves on the market.

Not a garden valve.

While many refer to irrigation control valves as “garden valves”, that’s not what they are.  To clear up the apparent confusion, you should know that a garden valve is what attaches to your hose.  It’s manual, low tech and not really part of your irrigation system.

Irrigation control valves turn your system on and off.  They’re a crucial component of your irrigation setup for that reason.  They’re not garden valves, but they are called by various names.  The most common names for them are solenoid valves, lawn valves (close to “garden”, but not quite the same, so the confusion is understandable), sprinkler valves and of course, irrigation control valves.

Emergency shut-off valve.

This is the valve that precludes you having to shut down your entire home’s water system to make repairs or improvements to your irrigation system.  More than a convenience, it’s a necessary part of your set up.

Gate valves are the most common variety of emergency shut-off valve, but beware.  Go cheap and pay later.  So, when you hit the hardware store, go for the slightly costlier gate value, which is less likely to fail in short order.

Larger versions are disk valves and butterfly valves.  Any of these is a much better alternative than the gate valve, as the additional investment pays off in terms of durability.  Go cheap, if you must, but you’ll be replacing your gate valve well before the other varieties have kicked the bucket.

Well worth the investment!

Globe, or anti-siphon?

Both these types of valves fall under the rubric of irrigation control valves (see above).  The anti-siphon valve has a backflow preventer incorporated into the mechanism, making it a smart and frequent choice of homeowners.  It saves money, as backflow preventers are notoriously costly.

Fed by a mainline pipe for water supply, these valves must be located at the highest point on your property, at least 6” higher than the tallest of your sprinkler heads.

The globe valve is more commonly found in commercial systems and in larger-scale systems.  It does not contain a backflow preventer, which means that component needs to be added.

Most valves these days are reasonably low maintenance, which is a plus for home systems.  All the same, every home owner can benefit from the expert guidance of the pros at Wetscape, a Royal Irrigation Company.

We know about all the valves on the market, their effectiveness and their average lifespans.  If you’re installing or upgrading a system, calling on the experts is always in order.

Since joining forces in 2016, Wetscape and Royal Irrigation have become Central New Jersey’s irrigation system powerhouse, bringing you superior technical know-how, exceptional quality products and outstanding customer service.

Contact us.  We treat our customers like family and their homes, like our own.