Rain Bird DVF-100

Rain Bird Sprinkler Valve Housings Split – I had a sprinkler system with 6 sprinkler solenoid valves professionally installed 17 years ago. The installer used professional grade Rain Bird DV sprinkler valves which are made in USA. These worked well for 10 years, then one of the valves split at the inlet releasing a fine spray of water. This was followed by two others that split at the same location so I replaced them all with Rain Bird 100-DVF sprinkler valves. These replacements had been reinforced with extra plastic to make them stronger than the original design.

After another 7 years when the sprinklers have hardly been used due to drought water restrictions, one of these replacement valves has split through the lower housing, sending a large plume of water into the storage area under my house wetting everything there. This could have been flowing for days before we noticed it. My water consumption for this period has been excessive, costing more in wasted water than the valves are worth, and I received a leak warning from the water company.

After this disappointing experience with Rain Bird DV valves I have replaced them with Hunter professional grade PGV-101G sprinkler valves which are also made in USA. These flow in the opposite direction so the high pressure side is in the centre of the valve so any failure will go to the sprinklers where it will be noticed. The Rain Bird DV valves have the high pressure side in the outer part of the housing so water sprays out at the valve when they split. Hopefully I will have better experience with the Hunter valves. Sprinkler valves have been reliable until they fail Housings split due to inadequate strength and design of valves