What On Earth Is This?

Discussion in 'Irrigation / Sprinkler Forum' started by RoughDobermann, May 2, 2009.

  1. RoughDobermann

    RoughDobermann New Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2009
    Hi All. We just bought a new house and there is a two inch wide PVC pipe sticking out of the ground near the sprinkler manifold and valves. It was full of rocks, so I carefully removed them (not fun) to see what was at the bottom. It looks like a metal plus sign, almost like a valve. Does anyone know what this is or could be?
     

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    RoughDobermann, May 2, 2009
    #1
  2. RoughDobermann

    RoughDobermann New Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2009
    Here's a closer picture of whatever it is:
     

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    RoughDobermann, May 2, 2009
    #2
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  4. Terry

    Terry Administrator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2004
    Occupation:
    Plumber
    Location:
    Bothell, Washington
    Normally that's a Irrigation water shutoff.
    You may find something like a fork type shut off tool in the garage.
     
    Last edited: May 2, 2009
    Terry, May 2, 2009
    #3
  5. hj

    hj Moderator & Master Plumber Staff Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2004
    Occupation:
    Plumber
    Location:
    Cave Creek, Arizona
    valve

    It IS a valve, and you operate it with a long rod which has a "U" on the end of it to engage the cross handle.
     
    hj, May 2, 2009
    #4
  6. tomm

    tomm New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2008
    the DEEPER valve is the drain, the shallower hole is the main turn on.

    You may have other drains throughout the yard.

    You may donate $19.99 for my advice :D
     
    tomm, May 2, 2009
    #5
  7. RoughDobermann

    RoughDobermann New Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2009
    Thanks guys. I guess that I'll just leave it alone. This valve doesn't need to be closed during winter, right? I live in Colorado and I had my system blown out at the end of every system. My old house didn't have one of these, as far as I know.
     
    RoughDobermann, May 2, 2009
    #6
  8. Cookie

    Cookie .

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2005
    Location:
    Home
    A thingamajig.
     
    Cookie, May 2, 2009
    #7
  9. tomm

    tomm New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2008
    Where in Colorado? I'm in the springs. Yes, you should at least turn off and drain system. Blowing out is highly recommended.
     
    tomm, May 2, 2009
    #8
  10. RoughDobermann

    RoughDobermann New Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2009
    Highlands Ranch. In my old house, I always at least drained the system in the basement, but I didn't have this "new" valve to worry about.
     
    RoughDobermann, May 2, 2009
    #9
  11. Wet_Boots

    Wet_Boots Sprinkler Guy

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2007
    Location:
    Metro NYC
    Don't abuse your home. Have the sprinklers winterized. Where is the backflow preventer?
     
    Wet_Boots, May 4, 2009
    #10
  12. hj

    hj Moderator & Master Plumber Staff Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2004
    Occupation:
    Plumber
    Location:
    Cave Creek, Arizona
    valve

    If that is a drain valve, then it would have to be OPENED during the winter time. If it is a main feed valve, the it would be CLOSED during the winter. You would have to know whether it is open or closed right now, to determine what its use is.
     
    hj, May 8, 2009
    #11
  13. Cookie

    Cookie .

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2005
    Location:
    Home
    You got a 50/50 chance of being right. :)
     
    Cookie, May 8, 2009
    #12

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