Locating an irrigation leak Cancel The title field is required!

1. Churchill Kevin

   
   3/2/2012 8:03 PM

   I'm sure that this is a worthless question, but I'm going to throw it out there anyway. Is there any way to locate a leak in the irrigation line that has not yet surfaced, besides digging up the entire hole? I have a couple of weak areas that appear to be the result of low pressure, and I am quite sure that the Sitepro hydraulic information is correct in the programming. I am also sure that all of my valves are open. I am located on sand on the Florida Panhandle.
   
   On a similiar note, I can ask the same question for a hydraulic line leak that has caused a sprinkler to pop up.
   
   Thanks,
   
   Kevin Churchill
   Kelly Plantation Golf Club

   
   
   
   
2. Graham Kornmeyer

   

   0 posts
   
   3/3/2012 7:03 AM

   Have you checked each individual head around the weak areas for partial blockage of the nozzles?

   
   
   
   
3. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   3/3/2012 9:03 AM

   Kevin,
   
   I can't answer your first question, other than: has it always been like this or has the problem gotten worse?
   
   
   As for finding a hydraulic leak...we use a propane sniffer from Grainger (http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/TIF-Combustible-Gas-Leak-Detector-Kit-1TC18?Pid=search). We hook a propane tank to one end of the tube, and start walking in the known location of the tube. Usually can pick a leak up within 15-20 minutes. Doesn't work good on windy days, so you need to get out early before the winds pick up.

   
   
   
   
4. Joseph Stelzer

   

   2 posts
   
   3/3/2012 9:03 AM

   Check your tile outlets. We had pipe leaking straight into a tile. It took a week to find it mostly becuase it was running thru a native area. We use a pressure guage and isolate hydraulic tube issues between the controller and the area we think has a leak. Then look for some dark green turf that is growing faster. I have clay loam soils so it usually raises for me..
   Best of luck it will show up eventually..
   
   Joe Stelzer
   Thunder Hills CC
   Peosta, IA

   
   
   
   
5. Jack Tripp

   

   3 posts
   
   3/3/2012 8:03 PM

   Listening for a water leak. Check out this site or google "listening for a water leak" for a complete list.
   
   http://www.subsurfaceleak.com/find_leaks.html
   
   I have never used this method, but I know our municipal water system has a person come in once per year to check leaks for them. You may want to check with your municipal water system if they have a locator you could contact. Someone sent me an email a couple of years ago how to do this with some home made items, but I can't find it now.
   
   Jack Tripp
   La Crosse Country Club
   Onalaska, WI

   
   
   
   
6. Richard Lavine

   

   3 posts
   
   3/4/2012 9:03 AM

   Like Jack said, check with your local domestic water district. They should be the experts in your area, and probably have the equipment to assist you. Otherwise, check out local leak detection companies. So, whoever you choose, if they are any good, they will use very high tech sensitive listening devices and can usually find the smallest pin hole leaks. Good Luck

   
   
   
   
7. Daniel Jurgens

   

   2 posts
   
   3/5/2012 11:03 AM

   If it's leaking enough that your pumps are running constantly or at least starting often you can try to track it down by isolating zones until you pinpoint it down to a certain area. Just need one guy in pumphouse with a radio and the other guy out in a cart. If you have enough isolation valves you should be able to track it quite close. As long as the pumps are running the leak has to be somewhere you haven't isolated yet. As soon as they stop check the last zone/pipesection you've closed. Good luck!
   dan, kragero golf, norway

   
   
   
   
8. Churchill Kevin

   
   3/8/2012 10:03 AM

   Wow guys, great info! Thank You! Very helpful.
   
   Kevin Churchill
   Kelly Plantation Golf Club