A stop and waste valve is a specialized type of sprinkler shut off valve suited to the needs of irrigation and in ground sprinkler systems in climates that have colder winters like we have here in the Salt Lake Valley and Wasatch Front.  The stop and waste valve serves two primary functions: it acts as an isolation valve that stops the flow of water from the main water supply to the sprinkler system (the “stop” function) and it allows any remaining water in the pipes to drain out (the “waste” function). This drainage is important to prevent the pipes from freezing, expanding, and potentially bursting during the winter months.

High-quality stop and waste valves are made from high quality, durable materials like brass or copper, that are corrosion resistant and sufficiently durable to hold up under the pressure of several feet of dirt.  The stop and waste valve itself consists of a few components, including the main valve body, a drain port, and a gasket. Getting your stop and waste installed the right way is crucial to ensure it lasts.  

Your stop and waste valve, which is the main shut off valve for your sprinkler system, is usually installed below ground, somewhere between the water meter and the house, and is accessed via a circular downspout, which should have a cover.  If you’re having a hard time locating it, you’re looking for a 1-2 inch diameter cap that is in the ground - if it's in the grass, its usually low enough not to be hit by a lawn mower blade, so you may need to search around in the grass.

The stop and waste valve itself is installed below the frost line, which along the Wasatch Front means its buried usually 3 to 5 feet underground, though we’ve seen stop and waste valves buried as deep as 7 feet underground.  

You access your stop and waste valve to turn water to your sprinkler system on and off using a long, T-Shaped sprinkler valve key inserted into the circular downspout.   

The stop and waste valve has dual purposes.  It acts as a sprinkler main shut off valve, also called an irrigation isolation valve, which ensures the ability to shut-off water to the irrigation system without having to turn off all water to the house or property.  This is critical in the case of a leak or pipe break, as well as during the winter months and is required by code along the Wasatch Front.  Additionally the stop and waste valve plays a critical role in protecting irrigation system pipes in cold climates like we have along the Wasatch Front, as part of the winterization process.  During the winter months, when temperatures drop and the ground freezes, the stop and waste valve’s ability to ‘waste’ or drain, provides a release outlet for pressure from any freezing water that may have remained in the sprinkler system after winterization. 

If you didn’t have a stop and waste valve installed (some very old sprinkler systems in the Salt Lake City area and along the Wasatch Front don’t have them, but a stop and waste is now required by code), water remaining in the lines will work its way to the lowest points of the sprinkler pipe system, which can freeze, expand, and cause the pipes to crack or burst.

Put bluntly, replacing a stop and waste valve yourself is a bad idea unless you have significant plumbing and excavation experience. The process involves digging a deep hole, often 4 to 7 feet. Excavating this depth by hand is labor-intensive and poses safety risks, including the potential for the hole to collapse - for your own safety, it’s critical to not perform this work without taking proper precautions.

Proper installation requires specific tools and a comprehensive understanding of how various piping and fitting materials interact with each other.  Using the wrong materials, such as mixing galvanized and copper components, can lead to electrolysis and premature valve failure. Incorrectly installing PVC parts that cannot handle the weight of the soil can result in cracks and leaks.

One of the more challenging aspects of DIY stop and waste valve replacement is ensuring a proper seal. Over-tightening or under-tightening the fittings can cause leaks or damage to the valve body and the main water line. Additionally, if the existing threads are damaged, you may need to use a tap set to repair them, which requires precision and experience.

Our experience is that most DIY stop and waste valve replacement jobs have to be done again a second time within a few years.  We regularly get called in to replace work that a homeowner or handyman did a year or two earlier that quickly failed.  

Save yourself the headache of having to pay to get the job done a second time, and keep yourself safe and rest assured with the peace of mind of having an industry leading 5-year warranty.  Hiring a professional ensures that the job is done correctly and safely. Stop and Waste Utah has the necessary tools, materials, and expertise to handle the complexities of the job. 

Again, bluntly, no.  Stop and Waste Valve Repair kits are a waste of money.  These kits are usually for different areas of the country where the stop and waste valve isn’t buried deep and valve replacement isn’t as complicated a job.  

Any stop and waste valve you buy at Home Depot or Lowes will not last and will have to be re-dug up and replaced within a few years. 

Additionally, a major challenge is handling the compression fittings and knowing the right fittings to put in.  Every underground water line and stop and waste valve system entails its own unique combination of fittings and parts, and you won’t know what is necessary until you get the valve dug up.  

Save yourself time, headache and risk and call a stop and waste valve replacement specialist.  Stop and Waste Utah specializes in stop and waste valve replacements and can get the job done right the first time, and we give you the peace of mind that the job will last, with the longest warranty in the business.  Give us a call. 

The cost of replacing a stop and waste valve in the Salt Lake Valley and along the Wasatch Front can vary based on several factors. The biggest variable is how deep underground the valve is buried, but there can be additional complexities related to above ground obstructions to the excavation, and what components need to be replaced.  

On average, you can expect to pay between $1,750 and $2,500 for a standard stop and waste replacement at a depth of 4 to 5 feet performed by a competent stop and waste specialist.

If the valve is installed deeper - 6 or 7 feet underground - it requires additional excavation reinforcement to shore up the earth, which can increase the cost to between $2,500 and $3,00. 

The condition of the main water line also affects the total cost. Replacing corroded or damaged components like the connecting T fitting adds to the overall expense.

Given the effort necessary to excavate, it’s crucial to use high quality parts, to prevent the job from needing to be repeated.  When a stop and waste fails early, it is invariably caused by poor quality parts or poor installation.  Stop and Waste Utah uses only the highest quality parts for maximum durability and system longevity.  

Hiring a stop and waste specialist ensures that the job is done correctly and safely, which translates to peace of mind, a long-lasting stop and waste valve and long-term savings.

The tell-tale sign of a failing stop and waste valve is water in the downspout access conduit.  If this downspout pipe has more than an inch or two of water in it, it’s a strong sign of a failed stop and waste valve.

Other signs of a failed stop and waste can be an unexpectedly high water bill after the sprinkler system is turned on in the spring, indicating a much higher level of water usage than would normally be the case with standard irrigation.  

Mushy, water saturated ground around the sprinkler main shut off valve downspout can also occur if the stop and waste valve failure persists.

Usually you will get a call from your water utility provider or the city informing you of unusual water usage activity.  

It’s important to note that high water bills, mushy ground or a call from the city could also relate to a break in your main water line as well as to a break in your stop and waste valve or in other parts of your sprinkler system.  

Stop and Waste Utah has the capability to diagnose and solve the problem, whether it is a stop and waste valve, sprinkler pipe or main water line issue.    

Identifying a failing stop and waste valve involves looking for several signs. One of the most noticeable indicators is water accumulation in the downspout where the key is used to operate the valve. If this area is filled with water, it suggests a leak. Normally, there should be no more than a few inches of standing water in the downspout.

Another sign is mushy or wet ground around the downspout, indicating an underground leak. A significant increase in your water bill when the sprinkler system is active can also indicate a problem, suggesting continuous water leakage either from the valve or elsewhere in the system.

If you believe your stop and waste valve is leaking or have signs of an underground water leak, it’s critical to call for professional help, and get a technician out as soon as possible - and Stop and Waste Utah can help.  

It always makes sense to attempt to turn off the stop and waste sprinkler main shut off valve.  This may or may not stop the leak temporarily, depending on the leak location.  Also, depending on the severity of the leak and its location, it may be necessary to shut off the main water supply.

The important thing at this stage is to act quickly and not put it off.  The longer the leak persists, the higher the costs, in terms of water bills, but in some cases, property damage if the excess water penetrates the building structure or causes pressure on the foundation.

Stop and Waste Utah offers same-day/next-day scheduling for stop and waste replacements, so we can quickly diagnose and take the necessary steps to stabilize your system and replace the valve or otherwise get the problem addressed quickly.

A well-installed stop and waste valve, using high quality parts can last 20-40 years, but the lifespan heavily depends on the quality of the materials used, and the quality and expertise of the workmanship. Regular maintenance and proper winterization are also crucial in extending the life of the valve - ensuring that the valve and connected pipes are properly drained and depressurized before the winter helps prevent damage.

Unfortunately, we encounter many situations where stop and waste valves fail early due to low quality parts or poor workmanship.  Landscapers, sprinkler repair and even some plumbing companies with limited expertise can use low quality parts, low-grade PVC ill-suited to the pressure to the weight of 5-7 feet of dirt.  Or we frequently see stop and waste replacement jobs where the compression fittings are not done correctly or the right fittings are not put in, where galvanized is mixed with copper.  When the work isn’t done right, the valve can fail in a matter of a few years - usually outside the warranty, but soon enough that having to replace it again is painful.  If your contractor is buying parts at Home Depot and this isn’t their primary specialty, it’s probably best to call a stop and waste specialist.  

Get the job done right the first time.  Stop and Waste Utah only uses the highest quality, professional grade parts and we know how to get the job done in the way that will stand the test of time.  We’re so confident in the quality of our workmanship, we offer an industry-leading 5 year warranty on our service.  We’ll match or exceed the warranty of anyone else in the market.