Next Project - Lawn Irrigation

[s219]

This is good in theory. However, experience has taught me that in time the ground moves and that seemingly empty valve box ends up filled to the top with dirt and whatever else is in the box - if you put in gravel, it will eventually push the gravel into the box - been there, done that.

The system just passed 12 years old, and all the boxes still look great. I wouldn't hesitate to do this again.

 

[Qapla]

I'm glad it has worked for you. Just think, if after 12 years the box still looks good, and there has been no earth shift that has caused the level of dirt in the box rise, how much nicer it would be if that gravel was not in the bottom. It would look just as good without the rocks.

I will also say that even here in Florida where I have dug up vast numbers of valves several years in the ground, I have, on occasion, dug some up that were not filled with dirt. This has been the exception rather then the rule. By far, most of the boxes I have dealt with have filled over several years. Every time it rains and the valve boxes fill with water some dirt comes in. Normal earth movement also pushes dirt into the boxes.

I guess in a more rocky region of the country there may not be as much movement as here in Fl, but I still don't like to do work that is not needed and gravel in the box does nothing to enhance the irrigation system so why bother with the time, work and experience?