Hi, my sprinkler system in the backyard has a leak I can't find, what's worse is that I cannot find the shut-off valve. Is there any chance the shut-off valve is underground? I have looked all around the yard and side of the house.

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Were you the owner when the system was installed? If so, have you contacted the installer? Do you know the name of the manufacturer?

If not, did the prior owner leave any records on the system?

Have you checked in the garage or basement for any shut-off valves?

I know very little about sprinkler systems, but these questions did occur to me.

there will be an inside shut off valve, it's required by code. if you have freezing weather in your neck of the woods, there will also be outside shut-off valves as part of the purge system, which can be identified on a real sprinkler system by a big chunk of pipe with several valves on it and a vent with a cover.

if pros put this in, it would be reasonable to expect the inside shutoff will be on the other side of the wall from that venting stack. you may even find a pressure boost pump there to make it easier to spot.

one way to find a leak outside is to get in stocking feet and walk until they get wet. change socks, and approach that area from the other side. when those get wet, you have the outer boundaries of the likely leak site. mark the middle of the spot and start poking for the pipes with a thin rod or coathanger-gauge piece of steel wire. when you find 'em start digging. pipe's going to be more or less an inch in diameter.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: swschrad,