When stealing landscaping ideas from the website of one of my local premium landscape designers I saw that they brag that they only install one valve per box. Looks like they were using standard 12x17 boxes like he is using here. Had them lined neatly parallel. Having installed my own crowded boxes and later having to dig them up to repair I think that is a great idea. To get frost deep I started with a base box of solid cinder blocks and concrete tile backer panel. Then topped with standard valve box.
Great advice! The biggest problem that I always see is that generally speaking the person who does the install will not be the person coming back in the future to do any repairs. They do what’s easiest with complete disregard for the person that will have to do repairs in the future.
That is very true. One thing I have always tried to do was to consider the customer and the guy after me. I try to think if I was the guy coming back what would I want to see and how can I make things easier on me in the long run because it does end up being me a lot of the times. Thanks for your comment.
I could never get the guy who did the install to come back. I wish I had paid attention to when he put the valve covers (mine are round, total of 6 in a small 4x5’ space is not 3x5. Top of covers were 4” below existing grade and no gravel. 2 years later I’m now going to try and find/build something to put under those round valve cover “boxes” and dig out the silt and place gravel around. Lessened learned when I trusted a landscaper, but expanded his business and things went downhill for the little people. Be great if I can find 10” PVC maybe. ¯\(ツ)/¯
Newbee DIY question: How about pouring a small concrete slab at the bottom of the hole that the valves and valve box would sit on? Maybe a couple of holes in the slab to allow for drainage if there was a leak. Seems like it would be a lot cleaner installation.
I have four valves that are above ground about 13 ". If I put one box over it would have to be about 28 in Long and 8 in wide to cover all of them. I would also like to be able to lock it but of course since they are above ground I don't know what I could attach the box to to make it inaccessible to the general public. Can you please make a suggestion?
Crazy not to use gravel n I’m trying to fix the mess my installer did 2 years ago and refused to come back for anything. Little guy chokes out 4K for system and now they ignore and cater to big clients. ( Word of mouth lost him business). Sigh #$&@ Silt all over and the top of boxes are about 4”+ from surrounding grade. Little lake I have now 😡
While this has nothing to do with my question. I am 65 and a Woman in Texas, so I may not say it properly but here goes. I have 6 valves and just dug up my 2 valve boxes and a Box with a Master valve box. I am thinking of doing this very thing. I raised the current boxes, made sure the zones are working. To get to my question. Mine are Orbit valves and I replaced and upgraded 40 sprinkler heads. Should I change the cheaper older box to include both valve boxes? I will check for measurements to see that part. I am doing the work myself by-the-way. I do like this box you are using and it is sturdier. They do sell a Super Jumbo box, again I will check measurements. What do you think?
Do you know of any "monster" valve boxes that'll fit 9 valves? I'm looking to replace my 9 manual valves with some kind of electric valves but I need something that is like 3-4ft long.
I wish there was a way to keep dirt of of them. I just installed one where all my valves were covered with dirt. I dug it out, added about 3 or 4 inches of rock, so it wouldn’t sink and contact the schedule 40. Filled in dirt around outside and a week later I can’t see the rock at the bottom.
You have to put some filter fabric on the bottom of the valves, wrap it around from underneath . If the valves are not too deep, put some bricks on each corner of the valve box to prevent sinking .
@@jesusatenco7770 I am having the same problem with dirt coming into the box..... this is the third time I have had to dig out the valves to make a repair. Are you saying to just add the filter fabric and that's all.... no pea gravel or anything like that on top of the fabric? Can you tell me what sort of fabric would be best for this job? Thanks!
When stealing landscaping ideas from the website of one of my local premium landscape designers I saw that they brag that they only install one valve per box. Looks like they were using standard 12x17 boxes like he is using here. Had them lined neatly parallel. Having installed my own crowded boxes and later having to dig them up to repair I think that is a great idea. To get frost deep I started with a base box of solid cinder blocks and concrete tile backer panel. Then topped with standard valve box.
Great advice! The biggest problem that I always see is that generally speaking the person who does the install will not be the person coming back in the future to do any repairs. They do what’s easiest with complete disregard for the person that will have to do repairs in the future.
That is very true. One thing I have always tried to do was to consider the customer and the guy after me. I try to think if I was the guy coming back what would I want to see and how can I make things easier on me in the long run because it does end up being me a lot of the times. Thanks for your comment.
I could never get the guy who did the install to come back. I wish I had paid attention to when he put the valve covers (mine are round, total of 6 in a small 4x5’ space is not 3x5. Top of covers were 4” below existing grade and no gravel.
2 years later I’m now going to try and find/build something to put under those round valve cover “boxes” and dig out the silt and place gravel around.
Lessened learned when I trusted a landscaper, but expanded his business and things went downhill for the little people.
Be great if I can find 10” PVC maybe. ¯\(ツ)/¯
Yeeees. Yeeeessss
I've done lots of repairs. This is the best idea yet. I'm getting a few more boxes this week.
Good deal. Glad this helped.
Newbee DIY question: How about pouring a small concrete slab at the bottom of the hole that the valves and valve box would sit on? Maybe a couple of holes in the slab to allow for drainage if there was a leak. Seems like it would be a lot cleaner installation.
I have four valves that are above ground about 13 ". If I put one box over it would have to be about 28 in Long and 8 in wide to cover all of them. I would also like to be able to lock it but of course since they are above ground I don't know what I could attach the box to to make it inaccessible to the general public. Can you please make a suggestion?
Why do you guys back fill with dirt instead of small gravel ? Appreciate all of the content !!
Crazy not to use gravel n I’m trying to fix the mess my installer did 2 years ago and refused to come back for anything. Little guy chokes out 4K for system and now they ignore and cater to big clients. ( Word of mouth lost him business).
Sigh #$&@ Silt all over and the top of boxes are about 4”+ from surrounding grade. Little lake I have now 😡
While this has nothing to do with my question. I am 65 and a Woman in Texas, so I may not say it properly but here goes. I have 6 valves and just dug up my 2 valve boxes and a Box with a Master valve box. I am thinking of doing this very thing. I raised the current boxes, made sure the zones are working. To get to my question. Mine are Orbit valves and I replaced and upgraded 40 sprinkler heads. Should I change the cheaper older box to include both valve boxes? I will check for measurements to see that part. I am doing the work myself by-the-way. I do like this box you are using and it is sturdier. They do sell a Super Jumbo box, again I will check measurements. What do you think?
Do you know of any "monster" valve boxes that'll fit 9 valves? I'm looking to replace my 9 manual valves with some kind of electric valves but I need something that is like 3-4ft long.
Great video. Subscribing now.
Great video, thanks for the info!!
can do a video on how to install from backflow to end sprinkler dingy
I'll see what I can do.
Thank you for this informative video. If I need to cover 8 manifolds, are there large enough box available or do I need to use 2 valve boxes?
Two would be better but a jumbo box might work but I would think it would be tight.
I wish there was a way to keep dirt of of them. I just installed one where all my valves were covered with dirt. I dug it out, added about 3 or 4 inches of rock, so it wouldn’t sink and contact the schedule 40. Filled in dirt around outside and a week later I can’t see the rock at the bottom.
You have to put some filter fabric on the bottom of the valves, wrap it around from underneath . If the valves are not too deep, put some bricks on each corner of the valve box to prevent sinking .
@@jesusatenco7770 great idea, thanks!
@@jesusatenco7770 I am having the same problem with dirt coming into the box..... this is the third time I have had to dig out the valves to make a repair. Are you saying to just add the filter fabric and that's all.... no pea gravel or anything like that on top of the fabric? Can you tell me what sort of fabric would be best for this job? Thanks!
Good to think about the cost of valve boxes relative to the cost of your time; don't save $20 and waste 2 hours having to dig the thing up five times.
Yes. You got it.
Why use a valve box? My valves are above ground and mounted to the house
I believe by you stating that yours is above ground and mounted to the house, those make difference.
@@mr.c6674 no I was not sure if the valve box was necessary and if so do I need one even though it is above ground.