Green Guru LLC Irrigation & Landscape Lighting

Depth Recovery Path

NDS 115 Valve Box Extension (Overlapping Lid)

Depth drift is one of the fastest ways to lose valve access. Extensions recover serviceable height without full excavation in the right cases.

This guide restores lid visibility and cleaner access where grade/mulch growth buried existing boxes.

Depth correction Lid visibility recovery Debris control Less invasive access rebuild

Quick Answer: When should I use a valve-box extension?

Use it when box depth is the main failure. If structure is still sound, an extension can restore access cleanly.

Buried Access vs. Extension-Based Recovery

Buried / Low Access Extension Recovery Path
Lids disappear under mulch/soilAccess points stay visible and serviceable
Repeated digging to reach valvesReduced excavation for routine service
Debris accumulates at lid gapsOverlapping-lid path reduces ingress risk
Slow startup and repair diagnosticsFaster recurring access workflow

When this is likely your issue

  • Valve box was originally installed too low.
  • Landscape grade increased after renovations.
  • Mulch cycles repeatedly bury lids each season.
  • Access exists but requires digging every visit.

What we check before replacement

  • Current depth and target finished height.
  • Existing box body condition and compatibility.
  • Lid/cover fit and debris-control behavior.
  • Whether full replacement is still required.

Deployment workflow

  • 1

    Measure depth failure

    Confirm the access issue is primarily depth/grade drift, not full enclosure collapse.

  • 2

    Select extension path

    Apply riser strategy where body condition supports durable extension use.

  • 3

    Restore finished service height

    Set final lid elevation for visibility and mower-safe access discipline.

  • 4

    Validate service workflow

    Confirm valve and wiring access is practical for startup and repair visits.

Related guides

FAQs

What problem does an NDS 115 extension solve?

It restores usable lid height when valve-box access is buried by depth drift or grade changes.

Do extensions replace broken boxes?

Not always. If body condition is poor, full replacement may still be the better path.

Why does overlapping-lid design matter?

It can help reduce debris intrusion between lid and box body over time.

Can this reduce repeat digging?

Yes. Proper finished height recovery reduces blind digging on future visits.

Should this be done during startup season?

It can be, especially when buried access is slowing spring diagnostics.

How do you set final lid height?

We set elevation for visibility and safe maintenance relative to surrounding grade and mowing activity.

Will an extension fix all access issues?

No. Wiring layout, valve spacing, and structural damage may require additional scope.

Is this a retail-install instruction page?

No. It is a service-first guide for depth-correction decisions.

At a glance

Valve-box extension facts
IndustryIrrigation
ComponentNDS 115 valve-box extension (overlapping-lid path)
Primary symptomBuried lids from depth/grade drift
Key checksDepth offset, box condition, lid fit, finished grade
Service noteUsed where depth recovery is cleaner than full replacement

Need it diagnosed?

We restore buried valve-box access with depth-corrected, serviceable finished height.

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Related: Irrigation product hub