Finding Buried Valves & Wiring in a New Home's Irrigation System

Moving into a home with sprinkler heads but no visible controller—just a basement valve, three PVC pipes rising at the house, and mystery wires. Here's how to uncover the system.

What You Have

• 3 PVC pipes (1" dia.) = 3 zone laterals exiting the valve manifold.
• 4 wires in garage (red, yellow, blue, white) = 3 zone wires + 1 common (white).
• "Key" (curb stop key) = fits valve stem on buried valves.
• Sensus device = water meter transmitter—do not connect power.

Locate the Valves

1. Dig gently at the base of the 3 PVC pipes where they enter the ground. Valve boxes are often directly below.
2. If no boxes, probe in a 3-ft radius—valves may be deeper or offset.
3. Use the curb key on any valve stem you find (turn counterclockwise to open).

Wire the Controller

Once valves are found:

1. Buy a 4+ zone controller (Orbit, Rain Bird, Hunter).
2. Run wire from controller to valve manifold (direct burial 18/7 or 18/10 sprinkler wire).
3. Connect: White → COM; Red/Yellow/Blue → Zones 1/2/3.
4. If a master valve/pump start exists, use the 4th wire (or run new).

Previous Owner Likely Took Controller

The valves are probably there—just buried. The 1" pipes are zone laterals, not the valves themselves. Valves are typically in a manifold box 12–24" below those pipe stubs.

Next Step

Dig at the pipe stubs. If you hit valves, photograph the wiring and pipe layout. Then buy a controller and wire it up.