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Sprinklers Weak Until Bleed Valve Opened – Bad Diaphragm

Low Pressure Unless Bleed Valve Held Open

Sprinklers spray weakly until the bleed valve is opened to let water shoot out. Closing the bleed valve reduces spray to a trickle. The bleed flow is excessive.

Cause & Fix

The valve diaphragm is faulty. Replace it. Most valves have top screws/bolts for disassembly. irrigationtutorials.com shows valve rebuild steps.

Irrigation: Hardie 2" Valve Solenoid Replacement: Irritrol Parts Compatibility; Troubleshooting a “Possessed” Zone Valve That Runs With Every Station; Why a Weather-Matic Sprinkler System Blows Fuses; Troubleshooting a Sprinkler Zone That Shows Active but Delivers No Water; Water Hammer on 20‑Head Zone – Adjust Flow Control Before Replacing Valve; Rain Bird 600: Manual Mode Zone 2 Opens Zone 1 Instead; Zone 3 Only Runs with Bleed Open: Troubleshoot Voltage & Diaphragm; Valves 2 & 4 Low Pressure: Replace Diaphragms, Verify Orientation; How Underground Sprinkler Valve Boxes Stay Securely in Place; Low Pressure on One Station of Six

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