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September 2, 2008
Sprinkler Woes
Q: Ed, every time I run my underground sprinkle system, the water pressure in my house drops to a trickle. Since all the heads come on at once it's only for about fifteen minutes at a time, but it's sill driving me crazy! What can I do to stop this? John (Ohio)
A: If your water pressure is in the normal range of about 45-75 psi, I would look into "zoning" the sprinkler system so all the heads no longer come on at once. Powering only one or two heads at a time should take less pressure away from the house.
But if your house pressure is below 35 psi, you can look into a pressure boosting system to supply more water pressure to your home first (before digging up your yard to zone the system). Personally, I'd just run the sprinkler system at night while I was sleeping!
Ed Del Grande, the author of Ed Del Grande's House Call, was born and raised in a family-owned plumbing business. With more than 25 years of experience in every aspect of construction, he holds current Master licenses in pipefitting, fire protection and plumbing. If you have a question for Ed, send him an e-mail at eddelgrande@hgtvpro.com.Posted by Ed Del Grande at September 2, 2008 10:48 AM
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Comments
Look where the water system is tapped in to the water main. If you are on City water there should be a pressure regulator. It sounds as if the sprinkler system is connected behind your regulator. A lisenced plumber can check for you and if that is the case can simply move the "T" to a point before the regulator wich will give you the full city pressure and you should be left with a sprinkler system that does not affect the water pressure of your house at all, No matter how many heads or zones you are running at once.
Posted by: Casey at September 14, 2008 11:40 PM
Ed,
I have my sprinkler system running during the night and when they turn on the pipes in my house
rumble like they are going to explode as they change zones.
What can I do about this problem?
Bill (Utah)
Posted by: Bill at September 18, 2008 9:37 AM
