I'm currently working on my sprinkler valve box. It sucks ass. It's dug in the ground. I'm on my knees trying to replace a Hunter valve. This is the second time I'm back here this week because replacing the diaphragm didn't fix the leak. I think I'm gonna have to replace the whole valve, but the stupid valves are in the stupid valve box. So now I have dig out the box anyway (which is something the valve box is supposed to save you from).
I don't get why people think valve boxes are a good idea... It's making maintenance a bitch. It also hid the leak from me for a while. I only found this problem because I had a HUGE helldivers2-style bug breach here. Which makes sense: the box provides shelter and water.
I'm thinking of redoing this part of the Irrigation system and having the valves stick up out of the ground. Obviously now I have to protect against the weather, but that seems like a decent trade off for easy maintenance, easy malfunction discovery, and less potential for a bug infestation. (Don't give a crap about looks.)
Does anyone have any recommendations for above ground enclosures? The main weather I have to protect against is sun. I don't get snow or crazy wind. I just need something like a wooden crate or something to cover the valves.
I keep thinking that I’ll install flow meter with my Rachio system so that I can catch leaks. Irrigation systems kind of like classic cars - they require constant maintenance, and shit often breaks. And since I water at night, I often miss major leaks until it’s too late.
As for valve covers, your best bet is just to Google stuff and do some image or shopping searches. Most are pretty ugly, but some fake rocks and fake logs exist.
I ended up burying mine. It’s a pain in the ass, but it’s the price I’m willing to pay to not hear my wife complain about a fiberglass box.