The subsurface irrigation method is increasingly popular because it keeps essential components like pipes and valves buried underground, offering a clean and organized appearance.
However, this setup comes with challenges, particularly in protecting irrigation components such as valves and making them accessible for repairs or adjustments.
The answer is to use the irrigation valve box.
What Is an Irrigation Valve Box?
An irrigation valve box is designed to protect buried valves and other connections, such as pipe and weir joints, while making them easier to locate and maintain.
The box is made of PP and HDPE material, which is durable and hard at the same time.
One of the excellent features of these boxes is that they have a large footprint, which reduces their chances of digging themselves into the ground.
Valve boxes come with different shapes and colors like Black, Tan, Green, Purple, and shapes like cone, rectangles. In addition, irrigation valve boxes contain eight knockouts on each side of the box to stop dirt or debris from getting inside.
List of Best Irrigation Valve Boxes
Rain Bird CPVB10RND Professional Series 10″ Round Sprinkler Valve Box
Rain Bird launched a new material round valve box to protect the irrigation nozzles and valves.
The valve box protects one electric or manual valve from damage and is designed to provide rugged, no-nonsense dependability and easy maintenance access.
The box is designed with an overlapping dark green snap-in lid. which blends into grass and foliage
To help prevent accidental slips/falls, textured, skid-resistant lid surface.
The box is priced near $20 on Amazon.
NDS D1000-SG 10 in. X 15 in. Rectangular Valve Box and Cover
This box is the same height as the Rain Bird, but it is bigger in diameter.
The NDS box is made of 100% recycled propylene (PP), and the PP lid is composed of a combination of virgin and recycled materials.
The sturdy irrigation box and cover are treated with UV inhibitors to prevent fading and cracking from sun exposure and help prevent damage due to the elements, pedestrian traffic, lawn care equipment, and potential vandalism.
Pre-cut pipe holes enable direct irrigation pipe connections. Overlapping lid covers the box completely to prevent dirt and debris from getting inside. The box cover is marked for Irrigation Control Valve (ICV) use for easy identification; the lid lifts easily using a flathead screwdriver in the convenient slot.
The product is available on Amazon.
Rocky Mountain Goods 6” Round Valve Box and Cover – 9” Height
This box is like the Rain Bird box, but the difference is it has a 9-inch height.
The height and the diameter are helpful for the sprinkler valves, water lines, electrical cables, TV cables, and more.
The Rocky Mountain Goods Valve Box is designed to withstand harsh weather conditions and heavy use, offering long-lasting protection for your utilities.
Overall, the Rocky Mountain GoodsValve Box and Cover is a versatile and reliable choice for maintaining an organized and protected outdoor utility system. Whether you’re setting up a new irrigation system or need to safeguard existing utilities, this valve box offers the durability and functionality you need.
The product is available for $13-$14 on Amazon.
12 Sets Durable PP Valve Boxes-Anti Slip Circular Sprinkler Valve Box
If you are looking economical and require more than 10 valve boxes for the irrigation setup, then this 12-set valve box is best suitable for you.
Before you buy, know that the box is 9.3 inches in height, the bottom is 8.3, and the top is about 5.9 inches.
The box is made up of polypropylene for protection from the sun, rain, and vandalism.
There is an anti-slip design on the surface of the sprinkler valve box cover. Don’t worry about slipping when passing by the sprinkler covers outside.
Even the back of the irrigation control valve cover is reinforced to keep the sprinkler valve boxes strong enough for pedestrians.
The 12 sets cost you $58.99 on Amazon.
NDS 111BC Standard Series Round Valve Box Overlapping Cover
Another product of NDS on the list. This time, this is the round valve box bigger than the round boxes like the above two.
The box’s top inside dimension (ID) is 9-1/8 in. diameter; top outside dimension (OD) 9-11/16 in. diameter; bottom ID 11-11/16 in. diameter; Bottom OD 12-13/16 in. diameter.
You can use this box to cover over irrigation fixtures such as valves, control zone kits, and other irrigation accessories with easy access for maintenance; cover features ICV designation.
Its structural reinforcing ribs provide support and strength to protect items housed inside against damage.
The box cost you around $26 on Amazon.
How to Identify the Buried Valve Box?
Once installed, valve boxes can sometimes become hard to locate, particularly if they get covered by grass or soil over time.
Here are some tips to find them so you can avoid any small accidents or damages.
Look For the Exposed Valve Cap
Every valve has a cap to look for while you walk or do other work.
In many instances, valve boxes have the cap colored in green or black, which is sometimes hard to find if it is located in the middle of lush green grass.
If you have a sharp eye, it is easy to find the valve box cap. Especially if it is new or if it is old and gets covered with grass and dirt after a few years, it can virtually disappear. If it disappears, you are not able to find it, then use the following methods.
Check the Irrigation System Documentation
When installing the irrigation system, especially sprinkler irrigation, many sprinkler system installers provide a system diagram that outlines the location of sprinkler heads and valves.
If the irrigation system requires a permit for installation, your local permit department may still have an irrigation blueprint on file.
If the valves disappear over time, you’ll find it in the documentation and locate it, secure it, so next time you don’t have difficulty locating it.
Observe the Sound
When starting the irrigation, it is possible to follow the water sound, which eventually leads to a missing valve.
If the irrigation system is divided into zones, have someone turn on just that zone at the main controller and listen for water going to the valve. Also, listen for clicking when the valve is activating or hissing from the water pressure in the valve. This is best done when there is little surrounding noise interference.
Sprinkler Method
This method only works in the sprinkler system because the order in which the sprinklers in that zone start can be another clue.
Have a helper manually turn on that zone at the controller and observe. The sprinkler head that is closest to the valve should pressurize slightly before the rest of the sprinklers. Start at that sprinkler and try to find the valve nearby.
Manual Method
This method is unpopular, and you’ll have to do manual labor.
Probe the soil with a thin rod, such as a long screwdriver. Often, you can estimate the rough location of the irrigation valve and then find a buried valve box by probing the ground.
But this is not a good method unless you are sure the valves are protected by a valve box. Since probing can damage the solenoid, valve wires, or irrigation pipes.
Last Words…
Irrigation valve boxes are essential for protecting and maintaining a reliable irrigation system.
This guide highlights some of the best valve boxes available, based on customer reviews for durability and functionality.
Since buried valve boxes can sometimes be difficult to locate, using the identification methods discussed here can save you time and prevent damage.
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