Hi Jeff. Thanks for asking this question, yes, it is common to see sprinklers leaking (or continuously running) even when the valve is off. This is typically due to debris in the valve diaphragm. One of our very first videos addressed this question, you can find it here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/e7ZlgMyV3M-rpoE.html

Hello, you have good information thanks! At first the furthest heads on the last valve leaked continuous. I cleaned valves and they still leaked. Then the ones at the start next to my 2” backflow started leaking as well. It came with the house. It’s a commercial type. Can that be causing the water to flow continuously with the system off or is it the valves themselves? Any advice would be much appreciated thanks in advance!

Wow, thank you illegal alien racing! I really appreciate the feedback, especially because I am not scripting anything, I just jump in front of the camera and go! it’s super awkward, and fun, all at the same time, ironically. What video would you like to see next? -Andy

Excellent, it stopped the leak?

Awesome Jenny!

My pleasure! What would you like to learn about next?

Excellent!

Thank you, my pleasure!

My pleasure. What should I talk about next?

Cool, where was your leak?

Great question! If you're noticing water oozing out from the sprinklers after they have turned off, this is often due to 'low head drainage'. This happens when sprinklers are located at the bottom of a slope, even if it's a slight one. After the zone turns off, water tends to drain out from these lower-positioned sprinklers. Note, this is not a "pressure" issue. A practical solution is to install a check valve in each of the sprinkler heads located at the bottom of the slope. These check valves prevent the drainage issue, and it's usually not necessary to install them in every sprinkler, just the ones at the lowest points. Before proceeding, I recommend that you check the model of your sprinklers. If you're using Rain Bird sprinklers, look for models labeled with 'SAM', which stands for Seal-A-Matic. This is Rain Bird's proprietary check valve technology. Knowing the model will help ensure you choose the right check valves for your system, and you may already have check valves in the sprinklers, which would mean the leakage is something else entirely. If you have any further questions or need assistance with this process, feel free to ask. Managing irrigation efficiently is key to water conservation, and it's great to see you taking steps to address these issues!" Hope that helps, and thank you for tuning into multiple videos! ~Andy

Nice, I love a good mystery puzzle. Couple questions: - what the approx elevation change? - could there be another pipe from a different zone close by? - is it ever dry? Txt us any pics, etc, and we’ll investigate 1-833-343-4590 Andy

Are you seeing this on just 1 sprinkler, or all the sprinklers on that zone? If it’s all the sprinklers, then the valve is weeping, just a little. If it’s just 1 sprinkler, it is likely leaking while it’s running, which is very common, especially around the seals where the sprinkler pops up. It could also be a broken fitting or pipe under the sprinkler, also common if it was run over by a car, etc. Hope that helps!

If every sprinkler is leaking, even when the system is off, than you valve is not closing all of the way. There is likely debris in the valve causing it to weep (like a toilet flapper valve that won't seal). Open the valve, clean all of the internal components, and reassemble the valve. Be sure to check under the solenoid. This video may be helpful: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/e7ZlgMyV3M-rpoE.html

Hi @mondymuerde - are the leaking sprinklers at the bottom of a slope? If the valve were leaking than every sprinkler would leak, but because only 2 are leaky I suspect it might be head drainage. You can install check valve to fix this. Please share more details if this is not the problem.

@@Andy_Humphrey Thanks for the reply! They on a slope along the driveway but about midway down. It’s possible that they’re at the of a run I guess, not certain as we aren’t original owner

@moneymuerde this make sense. If you want to txt us a picture of your sprinkler we can find the check valve for you. 833-343-4590

@@Andy_Humphrey sounds good, thanks! Will try get a pic in the next few days.

Hi Ivan. It is leaking after the zone turns off and the sprinkler retracts? If yes, this is known as low-head-drainage, and is caused by water draining out from the lowest head due to gravity. This can be fixed by installing a check-valve in the bottom of the sprinkler, although they may not be available for all make/model sprinklers. If this is not the problem, reply back with more information and we can continue to diagnose the problem with you. -Andy

I have this same issue, but when I removed the entire sprinkler it’s more than just a slow leak..water comes out fairly well but not shooting up or with force. Could this still be the gravity issue because it does appear to be the lowest in the zone but not by much?

Does it eventually stop? If it does stop, than yes, likely drainage. If it does not stop, than you most likely have a weeping valve that is not sealing..

@daisyding9704 you are right, the term Check Valve is a bit misleading. Rain Bird’s terminology is actually better, SAM, Seal-A-Matic, as the check valve can be better described as a “seal”. The 3500 SAM sprinkler will hold back 7ft of elevation - if your slope is greater then it will leak. Could your slope be over 7ft in elevation? If not, you might unscrew the top and remove the inner workings and double check the seal is actually installed in the bottom. You could also replace it using this same method (leave the canister in the ground, just replace the internal part).

@@Andy_Humphrey Thank you Andy! Our slope is no way near 7ft, but I ordered the check valve in your video. I'll see if that solves the problem! Thanks a lot!

@@Andy_HumphreyUpdate, the check valve solved the problem! Turns out not all rainbird 3500 has a SAM lock, it has to indicate “SAM” in the model number. Thanks again Andy!

@@daisyding9704 Excellent, great news! I should've asked you to confirm that you actually had the SAM model. You're becoming a Sprinkler Nerd!

What have you seen, from your experience, that improves the Pro Spray cap over the 1800 cap?

@@Andy_Humphrey well 1800’s leak even when it’s the slightest bit loose but prosprays can be loosened over a full turn and it won’t leak

Yes. After the valve closes, only the water left in the lateral pipe (after the valve) will drain out. It should stop. If your sprinklers look to have a continuous leak, than the valve is probably not closing all of the way, and is weeping, due to debris.

Great question, Paul. Are they leaking after the zone has been turned off? Or are they leaking while the system is operating (from around the head, etc)? This could be low-head drainage, the valve diaphragm is not closing all of the way or something else entirely. If you can provide more details I'm happy to dig into it with you. -Andy

I have 1-2 sprinklers leaking while that zone is off with an adjacent zone featuring drips only is running.

Yup - or leave the canister - and replace lace the guys. Many different options. Interesting that all sprinklers don’t come with check valves by default..