SPRINKLER TALK FORUM - You Got Questions, We've Got Answers

True. Very few female fittings. Most were for connecting flared copper tubing to male fittings. There were only a couple flared female fittings for adapting to a different type of thread.

Perhaps I should try a plumbing place. I would think a hardware store wouldn't have the right fitting, but I'll check.

I can't mess around too much longer. It was below freezing today.

Thanks for the support!

Blew the 7 zones out today through the backflow preventer testcock. Worked fine. My compressor is just big enough to maintain around 55 to 60#.

During the process, I found that there were good-sized air bubbles coming up through water that was in the 4-valve box. I figure that means water has been leaking from a connection in there 24/7, perhaps for months. And the pressure to all the zones must have been lower than normal. The leak is underground just outside the box. I'll have to dig it up in the Spring. hmm..... I hope I shouldn't be concerned that water from rain/snow will accumulate in the box, leak back into the pipe, freeze and crack it (??)

Thanks again!

Frank

Thanks Mike. The system could have drains. As I dug around in the mud, I seemed I could almost touch where the leak was just outside the box. And it felt like there was some sort of plastic object there rather than just pipe heading for the next zone valve. I wouldn't think they would put a drain right next to the valve box because it has kept the valve box full of water and mud. (Maybe that is a normal place to put one?) I am not planning to dig up the ground this fall unless I get past a bunch of other chores. I'll let you know what I find.