In the last 6 months I had 4 water leaks on the sprinkler + one leak at the
meter and countless small leaks at the commodes fittings.

Some may be explained by poor craftsmanship. Some PVC joints were easy to
crack loose and show poor gluing but the house is 7 year old and all
problems appear in a short time.

To understand what is going on I need some education...

1) Could be high pressure or surges? What is a normal range for municipal
water pressure? I plan to install a pressure gauge with a needle showing
max pressure, as soon as I can find one.

2) Just about when this started, some road work was ending and a tank truck
is filling up often at an hydrant in front of the house, to water the median
grass. There is a lever operated valve that can be closed quickly. Can
this create a hammering surge sufficient to make problems?

3) We live in Austin TX, winter are mild but it freezes and the sprinkler
pipes are no deeper that 6 inches in some spots, rocky soil. What is the
proper way to winterize the sprinkling system? I have a compressor.

4) The sprinkler main feed has a complicated looking valve. It has a main
cylindrical body as big as a wine bottle, there are two squat cylindrical
bodies jutting out at 45 degree, almost like a double TT (inverted) but
slanted; there are fittings and adjusting screws on top of the two bodies
and on the main body. What is this valve? Vacuum break? Pressure
reducer?

5) Would it be advisable to install a pressure reducing valve just after the
meter?

6) Any idea of the price of such valve on a 5/8" meter. Just the valve
cost.

Many questions but I appreciate your responses.

MG