Rain Bird System: Two Heads Leak Continuously After 36 Hours

Weeping Valve on a Rain Bird System: Debris Is the Culprit

Two heads at the end of a 6-head run leak slowly for 36+ hours. Not low-head drainage (that stops in minutes). It's a weeping valve—tiny debris holding the diaphragm open.

Quick Fix Attempt

1. Manually cycle the valve ON/OFF 5–10 times via controller. 2. Sometimes the flow surge clears the particle.

If That Fails: Valve Service

1. Shut off irrigation main. 2. Dig up valve box, remove valve bonnet. 3. Remove diaphragm, inspect seat and ports. 4. Flush valve body thoroughly with water. 5. Reassemble with clean diaphragm (or new if worn).

Why the Low Heads?

Debris settles at the lowest valve. If Zone 1 is the lowest, it collects the most grit.

Prevention

Install a wye strainer upstream of valves if water source has sediment.