How to Check the Valve Depth in a Lawn Sprinkler Pump

Sprinklers that rely on pumps to move water from a well to the lawn also rely on a series of valves inside a valve box. These valves are typically installed underground. It's important to keep valves low in the ground so that the pressure vacuum breaker sits at least 18 inches above ground. This height differential is important for the vacuum breaker to work properly. Knowing the depth of the valves will help you determine how high above ground to install the vacuum breaker.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Flashlight
• Tape measure

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Remove the retaining screw on the top of the valve box cover and pull open the lid.

   • 2

     Illuminate the inside of the valve box with a flashlight.

   • 3

     Measure the distance from the top of the valve box to the center of one of the valves. This is the distance that the valves sit underground. Subtract this number from 18 to find out the minimum distance above ground that a vacuum breaker should be installed.