How Much Does a Sprinkler Valve Cost?
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A sprinkler valve, also known as a solenoid valve or irrigation valve, is a mechanism in a sprinkler system that controls the flow of water from the main supply line. These valves control the amount of water that comes out of the sprinkler head, which in turn, controls how fast and hard the water comes out.
The valves are either automatic, meaning that the valve is set for a certain water flow, or manual, meaning that you can open or close the valve by turning a handle or spout.
A sign of a bad sprinkler valve may be due to low water pressure in your yard, a sprinkler head isn’t spraying with much force or certain zones are showing signs of standing water.
How much does it cost to replace a sprinkler valve?
The cost to change a sprinkler valve will depend on the type of valve, where it’s located and if digging is involved. On average, to replace a 1 to 1 1/2-inch electric valve, it can cost $100 to $275. In some cases, a sprinkler repair professional may charge a location fee, which can range from $50 to $75, depending on the complexity of your sprinkler setup.
| Type of Repair | Average Quote |
|---|---|
| Locating an electric valve | $50 to $85 |
| Replacing a 1-inch electric valve | $125 to $175 |
| Replacing a 1-1/2-inch electric valve | $225 to $350 |
| Replacing just the solenoid on the valve | $50 to $75 |
To get an exact quote, consider using HomeAdvisor.com to get multiple quotes from local, licensed contractors for free.
TheSprinklerGuys.com, a professional sprinkler repair company located in Colorado, charges $130 per valve if the manifold needs to be rebuilt or $140 if an electric valve needs to be replaced without any digging. If digging is involved, the costs can increase to $200.
JustaGoodSprinklerMan.com, another sprinkler repair service, charges $60 to find an electric valve and another $100, at a minimum, to replace a one-inch electric valve or $250 to replace a 1-1/2-inch electric valve.
Replacing a sprinkler valve overview
Because many irrigation systems are located underground, professionals may have trouble identifying the valve, especially if you don’t have a diagram of your sprinkler design. Depending on the method of choice, a professional will either look near the water source, near the backflow preventer or around the perimeter of the house. Once the area is narrowed down, a screwdriver will be used to find the equipment.
Before the valve is even replaced, it will be inspected carefully to ensure there are no obstructions or wiring issues. If the wires weren’t making a good connection, for example, then the wires may need to be replaced, not the valve. The same could be said about the solenoid coils, the part responsible for opening and closing the valve, which compromises of a coil of wires located on the valve, and, again, if this were the case, then the solenoid would be replaced, not the entire valve.
To replace, the valve box will be opened and the solenoid connectors and assembly will be removed. Depending on the severity of the damage, either the solenoid will be replaced or the entire assembly will be.
What are the extra costs?
Urgent calls or after hour repairs can result in an additional fee; however, most will ask you shut off the main water valve and wait for an appointment.
The same can be said about travel fees if the professional has to travel outside of their radius.
Tips to know
A sprinkler valve, even if new, might fail during a normal operation. The diaphragm may fail to close due to the presence of small objects like sand, twigs, small rocks or even insects. To solve this problem, you may need to open the valve and clear the obstruction. Water should be allowed to flow through the inlet pipe for one to two minutes in order to clean it.
How to replace a sprinkler valve
How can I save money?
Some professionals do offer discounts to students, military members and senior citizens. See if any discounts are available and how you can take advantage.
A rebuilt valve, in some cases, could save you up to 50 percent off of the replacement cost.
Many professionals are able to offer ballpark estimates over the phone. If you know for certain the problem is due to a valve, most will be able to talk to you over the phone, offering an idea what you need to budget for.
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Average Reported Cost: $255
How much did you spend?
- JH (Charleston , South Carolina) paid $300 and said:
Replaced the valve.
Was it worth it? Yes
- Jonathan (SLC, Utah) paid $210 and said:
And it still is leaking
Was it worth it? Yes
