NDS Econo Round Valve Box (6" class)

What makes a good valve box (and why some get lost)

• Finished height: lids that sit low get buried; lids that sit high get hit by mowers.
• Cover design: overlapping/drop-in covers can reduce dirt/grass settling between lid and body over time.
• Strength: boxes must survive foot traffic, lawn care equipment, and freeze/thaw.

D109-G overview (our econo round standard)

• Brand: NDS
• Size: 6" valve box (black body / green cover)
• Material: one-piece molded polyolefins with UV inhibitors (per manufacturer notes)
• Design notes: overlapping and drop-in covers available; overlapping covers help prevent dirt/grass settling between body and cover

Selected product details

• Body: tapered 6" round body; minimum wall thickness 0.130"
• Cover seat area: double wall at top cover seat; minimum thickness 0.125"
• Bottom flange: 0.250"
• Cover thickness: average 0.150"

Why we care about valve boxes

• Service access: valves are wearable parts; access keeps repairs small and predictable.
• Wiring protection: clean access reduces splices and wire damage from digging.
• Time savings: known valve locations save time on every future call (startup, repairs, winterization).

Common problems we fix

• Buried lids: mulch/soil bury the lid and the box becomes “lost.”
• Broken/collapsed boxes: foot traffic, mowers, settling, or freezing can crack boxes.
• Wrong height: lid too low becomes buried; too high becomes a trip hazard or mower target.

Service-first install notes

• Set the finished height: we aim for the lid to stay visible while avoiding mower strikes.
• Keep room to work: you need space for valve rebuilds, solenoid swaps, and wiring access.
• Document locations: labeled zones + known valve access saves a lot of future labor.

Pro tip: we like a pea gravel lining under the assembly. In a dark box, it helps keep things cleaner and makes dropped screws easier to find (especially with a magnetic probe).

Related guides

• NDS standard size valve box (rectangular) (larger access)
• NDS 115 valve box extension (overlapping lid) (riser for deep boxes)
• Armada Pro900 locator (finding buried valves and wiring paths)
• Irrigation valve guide (DV series) (common repair paths)
• Irrigation Tune-Ups & Repairs (diagnostics + fix)

Reference links

• NDS 6" round valve box + green ICV cover (example listing)