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Automatic drain valves

18 years ago

I'm strongly considering putting in an inground sprinkler system here in Wisconsin. Probably using 6 different zones with polypipe.

Has anyone used automatic drain valves? I'd like some feedback from experienced users. Seems like a good idea to avoid the yearly cost of blowing out the lines. But do they stick open or closed? Problems with water hammer? If a little water is left in thru the winter the polypipe should withstand that, right?

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Comments (3)

mrpike
18 years ago
With the way winter sneaks up on us here in Nebraska, I put them on all my systems. It allows you to water into that gray zone of october when a lot of people fertilize and over seed the lawns. It helps make sure your turf is ready to go in the spring. They add about 10 dollars per zone for 2 drains each. Well worth the money if you consider what a frozen line would cost. I also have been adding an auto drain to the main line in my valve manifold. I still blow the system out to remove any puddles, but that doesn't have to take place until late in the season.
daddylonglegs
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks for the feedback. Have you had any trouble with them sticking open? Have you gambled and not blown out the lines? Also, I've read that you shouldn't put them in the main line but I haven't heard why. Sounds like you have and haven't had a problem.
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Agree with Jean's suggestion for a mapping of the lines -- this is invaluable info to have on hand down the road, when you want to dig for any reason. If it were me, I'd to my best to envision where on the property I planned to add new features -- outbuildings, garden patches or raised beds, anything that'll need ready access to water -- and mention those to the system designer. Even if you're not sure what you'll do for an area, stubbing in a connection is much easier to do at installation time then later. Another suggestion: ask how they will setup the system for easy draining before winter. I don't know what zone you're in, but if it freezes in the winter, you'll want to make sure you've drained all the lines so you don't end up discovering leaks due to split lines or cracked heads, when you fire up the irrigation system in the spring. This is typically accomplished with either a manual or automatic drain valve, the latter being installed at a low point in the line. Have fun...
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mrpike
18 years ago
I have had 1 failure of all the drains I have put in, and it was bad from the start, I think it was an incomplete unit from the factory.

My supplier has special threaded drains he recommends for mainlines. I add a 45 elbow and reducer bushing to the valve assembly. You could accomplish the same thing with a bushing and a threaded plug (brass only) but you would have to remove it to drain the main.

You would still want to blow the system as a precaution, in case you have valleys in your pipe, or caught water in the heads etc. You wouldn't have to though.

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