A sprinkler check valve is an ingenious little device that plays a crucial role in your home’s sprinkler system, ensuring it operates efficiently and effectively. Here’s a simple breakdown of how it works, tailored for homeowners:

Purpose of a Sprinkler Check Valve: The main job of the check valve is to prevent water from draining out of the sprinkler system when it’s turned off. This is especially important in systems where sprinkler heads are located on slopes or in elevated areas.

How It Works

1. Water Flow Regulation: When your sprinkler system is running, water pressure forces the valve open, allowing water to flow through the sprinklers and water your lawn or garden. The valve acts like a gate that opens to let water through.
2. Seal Formation: Once the sprinkler system is turned off, the drop in water pressure triggers the check valve to close. This creates a seal that stops water from flowing backwards. Imagine turning off a faucet and having a plug automatically stop the water from going back down the drain—that’s essentially what the check valve does.
3. Preventing Drainage: By sealing off the water flow when the system is off, the check valve prevents the sprinkler pipes from draining. Without it, gravity would cause the water in the pipes, especially from higher points, to drain out through the lowest sprinklers. This draining not only wastes water but can also cause those lower sprinklers to eject mud and debris the next time the system is turned on, due to the vacuum effect created by draining.
4. Maintaining Pressure: In addition to preventing drainage, the check valve helps maintain water pressure throughout the system. When the system starts up again, it doesn’t have to refill the pipes, allowing it to reach optimal working pressure more quickly. This means your sprinklers start watering your garden efficiently right away without any delay or sputtering.

The Benefits

• Water Conservation: By keeping water in the pipes between uses, check valves play a small but significant role in conserving water.

• System Longevity: They also help protect the system against air locking and water hammer—sudden surges of water pressure—which can damage pipes and sprinkler heads over time.

• Reduced Wear and Tear: Preventing the system from draining means less air enters the pipes when the system starts up, reducing the amount of wear and tear on your pump and other components.

For homeowners with a sprinkler system, understanding and appreciating the role of a check valve can help in maintaining and troubleshooting the system. It’s a small component with a big impact on the efficiency, effectiveness, and longevity of your sprinkling system, helping to keep your lawns lush and gardens green with minimal effort and resource waste.

If you have any questions or need any type of sprinkler system repair, the experts at Mr Sprinkler Repair will be glad to help. Give us a call or 855-695-1000 to set an appointment.