Sprinkler system question

[Drew99GT]

I just had to replace several valves on my system and used Teflon tape (correctly I might add - 3 wraps in the right direction). Problem is some of the threaded joints are dripping. Not bad, but it's there. It would be a royal PITA to redo it with pipe dope or something else. I've read on some sprinkler forums that the [censored] coming from China has loser tolerances than parts from several years back. Some guys said to let it be and the drips should seal themselves. Anyone else had experience or problems like this? Next time I do any plumbing work I'm using pipe dope or Teflon paste.

Thanks

 

[FL_Rob]

If the leaks are past the valves just consider it extra irrigation,if they're not big leaks,and yes they should seal up (sediment,calcium and such).

 

[doitmyself]

Drew, is this plastic or metal piping? You could not make another turn on the joints? Maybe they were over tightened the first time and are now damaged? Any other thread damage?

I know some plumbers that use both teflon tape and dope together on older stuff. Plumbers argue that tape/dope is only to lubricate the threads which "should" seal by themselves. Others argue that the tape/dope helps seal. It's a battle not unlike some here.

I do a bit of ag. irrigation of many types and some of the
Chinese stuff is bad. I just had a new Chinese galvanized union that I could not get to stop dripping. Frustrating.

If you "want" the drips to stop on their own, then it will never happen....Murphy's Law.

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: doitmyself

If you "want" the drips to stop on their own, then it will never happen....Murphy's Law.

Tell me about it. The pipe/fittings are plastic and I was able to get them perfectly tight. The line up actually worked perfectly as the valves, when tightened all the way, were upright in the correct position. Most guys blow off a 10 second drip as nothing to worry about, but I'm..........anal about that kind of stuff. It adds up to dozens if not hundreds of gallons over the course of the summer and it costs money.

 

[doitmyself]

Well, it's hard to guess. Chinese fittings could be the problem.

I am not a professional irrigation installer, but I worked with a few, learned some from the net, and some from the school of hard knocks. I can definitely say that if you ask 10 pros how to assemble plastic threaded fittings, you will get at least 5 different answers.

Beyond bad fittings, over tightening happens a lot due to the lubricity of tape or sealant. Some rule of thumbs are "1 - 2 turns past finger tight" or " 1/2 but not more than 3/4 of the male threads engaged into the female threads".

The use of plastic threaded fittings are often frowned on/avoided by many of the irrigation pros (whenever possible) (IMO) because of the difficulties they impose. IE, a real threaded plastic nipple will be smooth cut with good dimensions. But, most male threaded PVC adapters are molded, resulting in a ridge on them (and other weaknesses).

Megaloc sealant is mentioned a lot on the professional forums.

Here are two links to "rules" of plastic threaded fittings, but don't take them as the gospel because I know pros who break every one of them. But, it will instill the idea the threaded plastic is easy to muck up:

http://www.lascofittings.com/supportcenter/TheDosandDontsThreadedPlastic.asp

http://www.spearsmfg.com/how_to/FG-3B-0105_0706_English.pdf
(many disagree with the rule "don't use both".
Good luck.

 

[Schmoe]

You are chasing ghost if you think you can get your system to stop dripping everywhere except the nozzels and valves. I mean, face it, the consumer grade stuff just isn't all that and then with the repeated freeze/thaw cycles, things are going to happen regardless of how well you winterized it. If it works and it's not leaking enough to flash flood an area, then save your time and money and don't fix it because the valves will go way before you catch the smaller leaks and you'll be tearing it apart anyway to fix the valves.

 

[bigmike]

I personally hate teflon tape. I use pipe dope on everything, but if the leaks aren't bad, I'd leave them alone out of laziness sake.

 

[Vikas]

May be I don't understand this system but if it is leaking at or near the sprinkler head, what harm is it doing? How is it adding to your water usage? It is all going to the soil and it stops when the sprinkler is off.

- Vikas

 

[Drew99GT]

The drips are at the manifold between some of the threaded PVC fittings and valves. They're not bad. I'm just gonna let it be. They've slowed down to about a drip every 15 seconds. Lesson learned: next time I'm using PVC thread sealant.

 

[Schmoe]

Dude, a drip every 15 seconds doesn't constitute a "leak" to me. I WISH my system had that leak rate. I'd say you're good to go and sleep well....plus, if your having a bad drought like your neighbors here in Oklahoma, your fixing to go water rationing and you can't use it anyway....

 

[bigmike]

We've had water rationing for ages here. Doesn't seem to stop anyone.

There is a local publication that publishes the names of people, size of their lot, and their water usage.

The #1 on the list has a lot size of .77 acres and a water usage of 2.2 million gallons of water to the tune of $11,000.

In fact, everyone in the top 10 has a lot size under 1.25 acres and use over 1 million gallons of water.

Yet, supposedly they can only water 1 day per week for irrigation and not between 10AM-4PM.

 

[3311]

Originally Posted By: bigmike
We've had water rationing for ages here. Doesn't seem to stop anyone.

There is a local publication that publishes the names of people, size of their lot, and their water usage.

The #1 on the list has a lot size of .77 acres and a water usage of 2.2 million gallons of water to the tune of $11,000.

In fact, everyone in the top 10 has a lot size under 1.25 acres and use over 1 million gallons of water.

Yet, supposedly they can only water 1 day per week for irrigation and not between 10AM-4PM.
Your aloowed to "hand water", maybe they are using a fire house.

What is this publication your talking about, I would hate to have some militant tree hugger come by my house if I forget and leave the hose run on day.

P.S. I only us about 6000 gal per month for the three of us and my two attack hounds. So a million gallons is mind boggling.

 

[Schmoe]

that IS crazy water use....

 

[crinkles]

they probably have large power bills too ... hydroponics?

 

[bigmike]

Originally Posted By: 3311
Originally Posted By: bigmike
We've had water rationing for ages here. Doesn't seem to stop anyone.

There is a local publication that publishes the names of people, size of their lot, and their water usage.

The #1 on the list has a lot size of .77 acres and a water usage of 2.2 million gallons of water to the tune of $11,000.

In fact, everyone in the top 10 has a lot size under 1.25 acres and use over 1 million gallons of water.

Yet, supposedly they can only water 1 day per week for irrigation and not between 10AM-4PM.
Your aloowed to "hand water", maybe they are using a fire house.

What is this publication your talking about, I would hate to have some militant tree hugger come by my house if I forget and leave the hose run on day.

P.S. I only us about 6000 gal per month for the three of us and my two attack hounds. So a million gallons is mind boggling.


It's public information, as far as I know. Of course, I don't know how they obtain it. The publication is a somewhat liberal rag called Folio Weekly and they cover alot of Northeast FL nonsense.

I use about the same, anywhere from 4-6 thousand gallons. I get upset if it goes over. This is with my wife, me, dog, lawn irrigation, and washing 2 vehicles. I try to conserve as much as possible.