How to turn on sprinkler system manually

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

1. If you don't know where your system's shutoff valve is located, look in your basement or crawl space for piping coming into the home near ground level. The piping should include a single shutoff valve, usually a ball valve with a lever-type handle. If there is a large water pipe coming in well below ground level, usually through a foundation wall, this is most likely your home's main water supply, not the valve for the sprinkler system.

   If there is no sprinkler system shutoff inside the home, look inside the sprinkler system valve boxes around the yard. The shutoff valve has a cross-shaped handle and may be well below ground level, inside a ground box or large pipe.

   The Spruce / Kevin Norris

2. Look for the vacuum breaker fitting, which is usually above ground located near the house. This is a copper or plastic valve assembly connected to two pipes, each with a small shutoff valve.

   In addition to the shutoff valves, the vacuum breaker has two test valves, called test cocks, that look like slotted screw heads. They should be turned about 45 degrees to the direction of the nipples to which they are attached. This allows air into the valve to prevent damage from freezing during winter.

   The Spruce / Kevin Norris

3. Close each of the two test cocks by turning with a flat-head screwdriver so that the slot on the test cock is perpendicular to the nipple.

   The Spruce / Kevin Norris

4. Next, open the two shutoff valves on the vacuum breaker. Each valve is located on a pipe leading to the valve and usually has a butterfly-type handle. Like the test cocks, the valve handles should be set perpendicular to the pipe for winterization. Open each valve all the way by turning the handle until it is parallel with the pipe.

   Ball valves—whether they have screw-type controls, lever-type handles, or butterfly handles—are open when the handle or control slot is parallel with the pipe. They are fully closed when the handle is perpendicular to the pipe.

   The Spruce / Kevin Norris

5. Some system shutoff valves have a little metal cap that threads onto a bleeder nipple on the side of the valve. This is used to drain residual water from the piping during the system shutdown. If your shutoff valve has a bleeder nipple, make sure the cap is in place and is tightened snugly.

   The Spruce / Kevin Norris

6. Slowly open the main shutoff valve to let water into the sprinkler system. For a ball valve, turn the lever handle one-quarter turn until the handle is parallel to the pipe; this is the fully open position. For an in-ground shutoff valve, use a sprinkler valve key to turn the valve counterclockwise until it stops.

   The Spruce / Kevin Norris

7. Set the system timer to run a manual test of all of the sprinkler zones, running each zone for about three to five minutes. As each zone turns on, watch the sprinkler heads to make sure they are working properly, and write down any problems on a notepad, so you can come back to address the issues later. The sprinklers will sputter and blow out air when they first come on; this is normal and will stop within a minute or so.

   The Spruce / Kevin Norris

8. Open each valve box in the ground and make sure there are no leaking valves or other problems. Confirm that all looks well with the vacuum breaker and the related valves and piping. Check the bleeder on the main shutoff valve (as applicable). If the cap is leaking, tighten it gently with pliers.

   The Spruce / Kevin Norris

9. Correct any problems you noted during the manual test, such as adjusting spray patterns or replacing damaged sprinkler heads. Set the system timer for the first watering. If possible, it’s a good idea to water when you can keep an eye on the watering for the first time of he season to make sure everything is working properly. Afterward, it usually is most water-efficient to water at night or very early in the morning.

   The Spruce / Kevin Norris

@DoxyLover is right, a half turn anticlockwise of the solenoid (black cylinder with wires) should open the valve to see if it works.

To check the solenoid itself:

Turn water off,

Cut wires and strip a little insulation off, perhaps where previously joined.

Now be ready to be careful that the moving part inside doesn't drop out.

Unscrew solenoid (don't lose the bit inside).

Cover the valve so dirt wont get in this part.

Carry the solenoid to the controller.

Touch wires to the the appropriate contacts - it will hum and click when attached to 24 v AC.

Return the solenoid to the valve soon.

Everyone, please let me know it this is correct for this exact valve (which I don't use).

For extra thoughtful people:

See if solenoid is cracked = bad.

When cutting wires see if they are green with copper rust, if so there is a higher chance of bad solenoid due to water creeping under the insulation into the solenoid.

Automated sprinkler systems water the lawn when you're on vacation, at work or asleep so you can focus on other things. If you need to turn on a sprinkler line manually -- whether to test it, perform maintenance or flush out debris -- there are at least two ways to do it on every system. One is from the control box, which is usually in a garage or on the side of the house, and the other is at the valve itself.

From the Control Box

1. Open the cover of the irrigation control box. Make sure the dial or switch is set to the "Run" position.

2. Press the "Manual" key and use the arrow keys to navigate to the type of manual irrigation desired. Most models have the option of running though all zones in sequence, running one of the irrigation programs manually, or turning on a single zone. Some controllers also have a "Test" button or function that will turn the sprinklers on.

3. Press "Enter" to activate manual operation after making a selection. Most models have the option of selecting the duration of manual operation, as well, but the zone can be turned off when needed by turning the dial to the "off" position.

From the Valve

1. Check to see if the valve can be turned on and off with the solenoid. This is the black cylindrical object on top of the valve with wires coming out of it and will have directional arrows with on and off printed on the base if it can be used to control the valve. Otherwise, the bleed screw can be used to activate the valve. This is a plastic screw head 1/4 to 3/8 inch in diameter located below the solenoid.

2. Turn the solenoid or bleed screw a quarter to half turn in a counterclockwise direction to open the valve.

3. Turn the solenoid or bleed screw the other way to close the valve, tightening only until snug.