AboutJeff Wooten Expertise All aspects of residential and commercial irrigation design, maintenance and troubleshooting.
Experience I have worked as a Parks Department supervisor for 28 years. I have experience with all phases of irrigation projects from planning, designing, construction, and maintenance for both residential landscapes, commercial landscapes and large spaces such as parks.
Question I recently had outdoor sprinklers installed. When they are turned on the pipes shake and knock. Also when they are turned off water shoots out around the pressure/syhphon housing. Is this normal?
Answer This sort of thing can have several causes, but I would suspect in your case that the cause is that the supply line to the sprinkler valves is larger than the valves and/or the pipe just downstream from the valves. The differance in pressure can cause the pipes to shake and rattle. You can try several things: 1. If you have a gate valve in the supply line before the valves, try adjusting it (usually closing a little); 2. Try adjusting the flow control on the sprinkler valves, opening it as much as you can but so that they will still shut off; 3. If these dont work, you may need to install a pressure relief valve on the supply line to the sprinkler valves.
