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Irrigation/Questions

SubjectDate AskedExpert
sprinkler shut-off valve5/2/2007Robert Casper
  Q: Robert, the shut-off valve to our sprinkler system is located next to our house and about four feet ...
  A: From what you have described it sounds like you have a curb stop or a ported ball valve. Some of ...
loose of pump pressure5/2/2007Robert Casper
  Q: I have a sprinkler system, where the water pressure had fallen off, kinda weak, doesnt force some of ...
  A: The pump seal might be bad as you said. Also inside the pump is the impeller. That may be clogged. ...
Single zone not functioning with controller5/1/2007Jeff Wooten
  Q: I have a 8 zone setup. 8th zone added and was functioning till winter set last year. This year, I ...
  A: The knob is a manual bleed that turns on the valve without a signal from the controller. It is more ...
Richdel sprinkler timer5/1/2007Robert Casper
  Q: I am looking to replace my old Richdel sprinkler timer (does not show a model number). It is a 6 ...
  A: I'm not sure why your old one has that many wires going into it. I can tell you that after mounting ...
TWO sprinkler zones running at once4/30/2007Jeff Wooten
  Q: Jeff, please help. We had our yard tilled because of take all fungus. After the guys left, our ...
  A: Somehow the wire from the controller to the valves has been damaged or crosswired or something. The ...
Sprinkler working off well system4/29/2007Jeff Wooten
  Q: This is my first attempt at ever turning it on (sprinkler)and I opened (right near the well) a turn ...
  A: It sounds like the water is coming out of a drain or bypass that may be used for winterizing the ...
Irrigation pumps problem4/28/2007Jeff Wooten
  Q: I used my lawn sprinkler system on Thursday.....that night, the pump came on automatically. I had to ...
  A: Without knowing the particulars of your system, it is hard to say what the problem could be. The ...
can't get system to turn on.4/28/2007Robert Casper
  Q: I ran my system a couple of times this spring, and it worked fine. Today, I can't get it to turn ...
  A: You would be able to see if the fuse was blown. Do you have a rain sensor? Check the ohms on the ...
sprinklers4/28/2007Jeff Wooten
  Q: After my automatic system runs it's cycle, two of the sprinklers in the front yard continue to spit ...
  A: One of your valves is not closing all the way, or is closing very slowly. Try adjusting the flow ...
Pump shuts off after 3 minutes4/27/2007Jeff Wooten
  Q: We have a GE pump (older model). 1.5 HP 220 watts that pumps water from the lake to water our lawn. ...
  A: Yes, it could be a relay, or a problem in the pump motor. Sometimes when the brushes on the motor ...
gutter drainage under new concrete Drive4/27/2007Jeff Wooten
  Q: I am pouring cement for an RV pad next to my garage. I have a gutter down spout on the corner of my ...
  A: You need to make sure that the oulet of the drain pipe is lower than the inlet, and that the water ...
Sprinler system4/27/2007Jeff Wooten
  Q: Only 4 out of 14 sprinkler zones work. I found that one of the inground boxes containing the valves ...
  A: Yes, it could be that water has got into the wire connections at the valve. Locate the connections ...
valves will not shut off4/26/2007Jeff Wooten
  Q: The valves on my system will not shut off regularly. They will work properly, then sometimes they ...
  A: Try adjusting the flow control on your valves. They may be open too much, which will cause them to ...
irrigation pump problem4/26/2007Jeff Wooten
  Q: I have a problem that I just cant figure out with my lawn irrigation system. I moved into a house ...
  A: If you have it narrowed down to the relay, it should be easy to fix---just take the one you have to ...
Shallow Well pump4/26/2007Robert Casper
  Q: I live near the Jersey Shore and I want to hook up a Shallow Well pump for a sprinkler system and ...
  A: Going to the Goulds site might help. I would use a Flint and Walling or Sta-Rite myself but there is ...
Pump shuts off after 3 minutes4/25/2007Jeff Wooten
  Q: We have a GE pump (older model). 1.5 HP 220 watts that pumps water from the lake to water our lawn. ...
  A: I take it that tthere is not a pressure tank on the system, that it pumps directly into the ...
Sprinkler Timer Won't Work4/25/2007Robert Casper
  Q: I have a Toro ECXTRA Outdoor Sprinkler Timer, Model 53768. The problem is that the sprinklers will ...
  A: I have to tell ya that I'm not really familiar with that timer but it really does sound like a timer ...
Can't turn water off with Control Panel4/24/2007Jeff Wooten
  Q: I have a Rainbird ESP system and after the winter I turned the water back on using the main water ...
  A: If the controller is not changing the stations, as well as turning on stations and then not turning ...
irrigation pump problem4/20/2007Jeff Wooten
  Q: I have a problem that I just cant figure out with my lawn irrigation system. I moved into a house ...
  A: It really sounds like you have an electrical problem. If the pump comes on, or tries to come on, ...
well for irrigation4/19/2007Jeff Wooten
  Q: Hey Jeff, I'm looking to install underground on my property. There is an old well that served the ...
  A: Truthfully, you need to have a local well service person survey the situation an advise you. There ...
Sprinkler System4/18/2007Jeff Wooten
  Q: My sprinkler system worked very well on all four zones until recently. One of the four zones does ...
  A: There could be several causes. First, on the top of the valve there should be a knob that turns ...
Cracked pipe even with winterizing4/15/2007Robert Casper
  Q: I just turned my sprinklers back on today now that we are safely out of the winter months. I ...
  A: That's how we blow out lines so it's normal to use an air compressor. Sometimes water gets trapped ...
Lawn Pump not producing enough water/pressure4/14/2007Jeff Wooten
  Q: I have a Sta-Rite DS2 model 1 1/2 HP Lawn Pump that is 5 yrs old that I have been trying to get ...
  A: There is either a restriction in the water line before the punp or after the pump. Assuming you ...
All zones work but one4/14/2007Jeff Wooten
  Q: I just turned my sprinkler system back on after being off all winter. All zones in the front yard ...
  A: It sounds like the valve for station 1 is either closed a little too much, or is not opening ...
pump pressure4/14/2007Robert Casper
  Q: I have a brand new goulds GT15 1.5hp irrigation pump with a psi pressure gauge the gauge jumps from ...
  A: I would check the foot valve and check valve. I don't know if you need the screen before the ...
Water sprinker system not working4/8/2007Robert Casper
  Q: My sprinkler system connected to a watermaster (57114) has stopped working. I programmed it to once ...
  A: I'm sorry but I'm just not familiar with that timer. I do know that it's made by Orbit. First check ...
Hunter EC Controller problem4/7/2007Robert Casper
  Q: My hunter system was installed at new residence 2.5 years ago. I have a 4 station indoor version. ...
  A: Unplug the controller and plug back in. If this doesn't work then plug controller in and press the ...
Pressure issues4/6/2007Robert Casper
  Q: I have a 1HP Gould shallow well pump with a pressure tank that has a static pressure of 45 PSI ...
  A: Sounds like you need a new pump. The pressure at the farthest head should be 30lbs for a spray and ...
G.P.M.4/5/2007Robert Casper
  Q: Yes, My farther is putting in an automatic sprinkler system, and I myself would like to start ...
  A: First you need to find out static pressure of the water source. Then you need to find out pressure ...
water sprinkers4/5/2007Robert Casper
  Q: we have the control boxes on the outside of the house that control the sprinklers. In one box is a ...
  A: The valves your talking about should be turned to the left. Make sure you have the pipe and valve ...
Stuck valve on watering system4/5/2007Robert Casper
  Q: I bought some property last year with an automatic watering system for the lawn. When I tried to ...
  A: Sounds like you have a curb stop. You need a t-tool to turn it. I've come across some very stubborn ...
shallow well4/3/2007Robert Casper
  Q: This is for a sprinkler system in my yard. My 20 year old pump burned up. I called a well person in ...
  A: Kathy, Please don't apologize for your ignorance, that's why we are here. Cutting off the ...
Irrigation valve will not open electrically4/2/2007Robert Casper
  Q: I have a irrigation valve which will not open when the solenoid energizes. I can coerce it open by ...
  A: The "wire" is a valve stem. You use it to manually open the valve. When the valve is assembled, turn ...
Shallow well4/1/2007Robert Casper
  Q: I have 2 shallow wells tied together on the same pump ( 1 HP Sta-Rite Jet Pump). Currently I can ...
  A: Yes,installing a larger pump would increase flow and pressure. Also, larger discharge pipes would ...
Sprinkler System3/30/2007Robert Casper
  Q: I have a 6 zone sprinkler system. What is the cause of one zone not to have any pressure?
  A: It could be a number of different things from a clogged or stuck valve, a cut line, a clogged line, ...
sprinkler doesn't shut off completely3/30/2007Robert Casper
  Q: In restarting my sprinkler system this year, one of my stations (with about 5 heads) is always ...
  A: What you have is what we call a "weeping valve". If you have taken apart the valve and cleaned it ...
pump will not stay running3/25/2007Jeff Wooten
  Q: I have a meyers pump with a 2 gallon bladder , have been trying to prime it for days now. it seems ...
  A: There are a whole lot of reasons that you could be having this problem. It sounds like you may have ...
shutoff valve access blocked with dirt3/21/2007Jeff Wooten
  Q: My home has an automated sprinkler system with a main shutoff valve that is located somewhere ...
  A: If you have access to a shop vac, that would be ideal. You'll also need a piece of 1" PVC pipe the ...
Dirt in Heads3/20/2007Robert Casper
  Q: I was changing a few of my old sprinkler heads that were not so efficient, and i believe some dirt ...
  A: That's a very common problem even the pro's deal with. First, clean all the heads. Second, go to the ...
ditch pump irrigation3/18/2007Robert Casper
  Q: My husband and I need to get a watering system set up for a lawn we hope to put in next year. Our ...
  A: The supplies you will need just to get your pump set up are a pump,pump relay,timer with a pump ...

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Irrigation

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Robert Casper

Top Expert on this page

Expertise

I can answer all questions about the design,installation,and maintenance of all irrigation systems. I can answer most all questions about irrigation pumps. I also know a great deal about timers and trouble shooting their problems. I am not however an expert in landscaping and plant material.

Experience

I have worked in the field of irrigation for six years that includes design,installation,maintenance,and sales. The company I work for services over 1,200 clients in Indiana,Michigan,and Illinois.

Education/Credentials
I have been rated by Toro to work on all Toro products and take part in classes every year to stay current.

Past/Present Clients
Chase Industrial, Boss Inc., City of La Porte,IN., City of Wannatah,IN., Holiday Inn, Applebees, Menard's, La Porte School Corp. La Porte, IN..

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