Valves and Controller Zones
Place manual shutoff valves for individual circuit isolation and zone valves for controller-scheduled watering. Connect them with pipes to build a fully documented irrigation control system.
Valves and Controller ZonesA valve marks the point where the supply pipe branches into a separately controllable watering circuit — one valve per zone. The Valve object offers three valve types: Zone (a solenoid valve wired to a controller), Manual (a hand-operated shutoff), and Anti-Siphon. Place valves from the Water tab, connect them with pipes, and use the dedicated Controller object to document the control unit. This is used whenever a design needs zones with different run times, different head types, or separate on/off control.
Set the valve type
With the valve selected, open the Inspector and set the valve type: choose 'manual' for a hand-operated shutoff (gate, ball, or globe valve) or 'zone' for a solenoid-operated zone valve connected to a controller. Manual valves are typically placed at the main supply entry or at maintenance isolation points. Zone valves are placed at the head of each irrigation zone.
Choose a fixture style
Select the fixture style in the Inspector to match the specified product: 'inline-valve' renders as a green valve box (in-ground solenoid in a box), 'anti-siphon' shows a raised brass valve on a riser above grade, and 'ball-valve' shows an inline ball valve. The fixture style affects only the 2D plan symbol — it does not change functional behavior.
Connect the valve with pipes
Use the Draw Pipe tool to draw a supply pipe from the water source (or backflow preventer) to the valve inlet, and a lateral pipe from the valve outlet to the sprinkler heads in that zone. The valve must sit on the pipe path — draw the pipe through the valve point so the connection is visible in the plan.
Assign a zone label to zone valves
For zone valves, open the Inspector and enter a zone label (e.g., 'Zone 1 — Lawn Rotors', 'Zone 2 — Drip Beds'). The zone label appears next to the valve symbol on the plan and is exported to the materials list and zone schedule. Assign each zone valve a unique zone number corresponding to the controller terminal wiring.
Review the zone layout
After placing all valves and connecting pipes, review the plan to confirm that every sprinkler is downstream of exactly one zone valve and that no zone spans across areas with significantly different water requirements (sun vs. shade, lawn vs. beds). Mixed-requirement zones lead to over- or under-watering in practice.
Group valves on a manifold where appropriate
Where several zone valves are clustered near the water source, place a Manifold from the Control section instead of separate valves. In its inspector set the Valves count and the Box Type (Standard, Jumbo, Round, or Custom).
Place a filter and pressure regulator on the supply pipe upstream of drip zone valves to protect the low-flow emitters from pressure surges and debris.
The Water tab is a schematic layout tool and does not simulate real-world pressure or flow. Valve sizing, pressure loss, and hydraulic balancing must be verified by a qualified irrigation designer before construction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the available valve types?
The Valve Type options are Zone (a solenoid valve controlled by a timer or smart controller), Manual (a hand-operated ball or gate valve used to isolate sections for maintenance), and Anti-Siphon. Choose the type that reflects what will be installed.
How many valves do I need?
Use one valve per independently scheduled circuit. Group heads with the same precipitation rate and run-time requirements on the same valve. Split areas with different watering needs — lawn vs. beds, sun vs. shade, drip vs. spray — onto separate valves.
Is there a controller object I can place on the plan?
Yes. The Controller object lives in the Water tab under Control. Place it and record the station count, program slots, sensor inputs, and notes in the Inspector.
What is a Valve Manifold and when should I use it instead?
A Valve Manifold groups multiple zone valves in a single assembly — common when all zone valves cluster near the water source. Use the Manifold object when you want to represent the assembly as one combined object rather than placing individual valves. See the Valve Manifold article for details.
How do I match valves to controller stations?
Name each valve clearly (for example 'Zone 1 — Lawn') and record the station assignments in the Controller object's Notes field. The valve names and controller details together communicate the program to the installer.