How To Repair A Broken Sprinkler Head Connection

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As pop-up sprinkler systems age, information technology's possible for the heads to fleck, break, or become stuck in the up position, resulting in expressionless, swampy grass and exorbitant utility bills. If you run into one of these problems, the simplest solution is to supersede the worn out head with a brand new ane. Dig upwardly the grass 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) around the sprinkler merely plenty to expose the plumbing equipment and unscrew the faulty head. So, screw the new head on in its identify and plough on the water to the sprinklers to give them a quick test run.

1. 1

   Cutting a 6–eight in (15–20 cm) circle into the grass around the faulty sprinkler. Take a serrated knife or trowel and saw a broad circle around the exposed sprinkler head. You just desire to score the turf to get in easier to remove later, so merely cut two–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) deep.^[1]

   • Be careful not to cut too deep, or yous could accidentally sever the tubing running to the inlet on your sprinkler organization.^[2]
   • If the ground effectually your sprinkler is an especially loose material, such every bit gravel or mulch, skip the scoring and become straight to digging out the soil.

2. 2

   Remove the intact grass around the sprinkler using a paw trowel. Exercise your best to carefully pry up turf in equally few pieces as possible. Once you lot've worked it loose, set the turf aside somewhere nearby. That way, you'll be able to supersede the section afterwards later on y'all've changed out the sprinkler head.^[3]

   • Don't worry if yous happen to damage the turf while trying to lift information technology out. Information technology'due south a pocket-sized enough patch that the grass should grow dorsum fairly chop-chop.

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3. 3

   Dig 6–viii inches (15–20 cm) into the dirt surrounding the sprinkler head. Now that the turf is out of the mode, use your trowel or shovel to scoop out the soil forth the sides of the hole. Keep digging until yous can run across the thin metal supply pipe connecting the sprinkler head to the primary water line.^[4]

   • As y'all dig, heap the clay into a small pile nearby and so you can easily fill in the hole when you lot're done.
   • Perform a quick inspection of the supply pipe to check for damage. If you see a leak or rupture, the problem may be with the water line rather than the sprinkler, in which case you'll need to hire a plumber to come in and accept a look.^[v]

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1. 1

   Unscrew the faulty sprinkler head from the riser. The riser is the small piping that connects the sprinkler to the water line. The sprinkler head sits on the riser, which helps to regulate its up-and-down motion, rather than direct on the water line itself. To remove the sprinkler caput, twist it to the left, or counterclockwise.^[vi]

   • If the riser comes off with the sprinkler head, only unscrew the 2 pieces and reattach the riser to the water line, being conscientious not to damage the threading of either piece in the procedure.^[7]
   • Exist conscientious not to let too much dirt or debris autumn into the open h2o line. It may help to cover it with a minor cloth or plastic bag while y'all're working.

2. 2

   Buy a replacement sprinkler head that's the same size equally the old one. To ensure that you lot're getting the type of head yous demand, accept the onetime role to the store with you and purchase the same brand and model. If for some reason that's non an option, confirm that the new head has the same overall length and diameter as the old one.^[eight]

   • Sprinkler heads come up in several dissimilar sizes and lengths. If you get one that's as well long, information technology volition stick up loftier out of the grass after you install it. If information technology'south also short, it may not achieve the surface of your backyard from its seat on the water line.
   • Consider shopping around for a head that features a removable affluent cap rather than a traditional nozzle. Affluent caps brand it easy to clear dirt from the head post-obit installation or apply.^[9]

3. 3

   Wrap a length of thread seal tape around the male end of the riser. Wind the record neatly around the riser threads and then that it forms a thin, uniform layer. Applying thread seal tape (also known equally "Teflon tape") will fill up excess space between the riser and the body of the sprinkler head, creating a snug connection and decreasing the chances of future leaks.^[10]

   • You lot can find thread seal tape in the plumbing alley of any hardware store or home improvement eye.
   • It's not necessary to apply thread seal tape on polyethylene risers, as the soft plastic will typically bend and expand enough to form a secure seal on its ain.

4. iv

   Screw on the new sprinkler head. Position the female person end of the sprinkler head over the male person finish of the riser and twist it to the right (clockwise) to install it. Keep tightening the head by hand until it's nice and secure.^[11]

   • Jiggle your new sprinkler head a few times to make sure it isn't loose. Any extra move could exist a sign of a poor connection.

5. 5

   Adapt the sprinkler nozzle to direct the spray pattern where you want it. Rotate the sprinkler caput until information technology'due south pointing toward your backyard, shrubs, of flower beds. The terminal thing you desire is for your newly-installed sprinkler to water your car instead of your plants!

   • In that location should be no need to adjust a radial sprinkler caput. These send out water in a full 360-degree radius, ensuring even distribution over the area they're situated in.

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1. 1

   Turn on the sprinklers briefly to examination them and remove dirt from the line. Allow the sprinklers run for 30 seconds to a minute to make sure all small particles of dirt and droppings have been flushed out. Then, close them off as you lot prepare to fill up in the pigsty you dug. Later on a quick exam, they'll be ready to run on their regular cycle.^[12]

   • While your sprinklers are running, keep an center out for leaks effectually the riser. If yous see water escaping, tighten the sprinkler head or add together an extra layer of thread seal tape until the leak stops.
   • Information technology's a proficient idea to test your new sprinkler caput before backfilling the hole in example something goes wrong and you need to reinstall it.

2. two

   Affluent the open h2o line to clear out major clogs. If your water line is stopped up with dirt, you may need to affluent information technology out more thoroughly. Remove the new sprinkler head and turn on the water to the sprinkler for xxx-sixty seconds to let the debris-filled water bleed out of the open line. Don't forget to plough the h2o off when y'all're done.^[13]

   • You can also fit a flexible hose or section of PVC piping over the water line while flushing it out to redirect the water to another part of your yard.
   • In some cases, a clogged water line may be the bodily crusade of a malfunctioning sprinkler rather than a broken caput.^[14]

3. three

   Fill in the hole effectually the sprinkler. Shovel the dirt back into the opening effectually the water line, making sure information technology's distributed evenly around the base. In one case y'all've returned all the loose soil to the hole, tamp it down flat around the new sprinkler head using your palm or the back of your shovel or trowel.^[15]

   • Since the new sprinkler is the same size as the old 1, you shouldn't have any extra dirt left over.

4. four

   Supercede the loose section of turf yous cut earlier. If you lot managed to remove the grass in i piece, lower information technology into identify around the new sprinkler head. Use force per unit area to the turf past stepping on it or pressing the back of your shovel against it to meaty it down.^[sixteen]

   • Water the transplanted department of turf right away to aid it reestablish its root system.^[17]
   • Tread lightly around your sprinkler for the side by side 1-two weeks to avoid harming the grass while it grows back.

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Add New Question

• Question

  What do I do if office of one quadrant isn't working. Some of the sprinkler heads work, but several of them simply trickle from the head. What is the problem?

  

  Your line feeding that quadrant could be bankrupt or take debris in it. Do you have whatever wet areas that are pooling up when the organisation is running? If so, this could testify you lot that that is the problem.

• Question

  Practice they brand extensions for heads that do not pop upwards high plenty?

  

  Yes, they do. Just become to a local hardware store and wait in the garden department to detect them.

• Question

  How do I repair the sprinkler valves?

  

  The sprinkler valves take a little notch on the right hand side. Try adjusting the valve by twisting it or greasing it upward a few times. This might take the place of a repair.

• Question

  How practice I fix a sprinkler head that leaks water when the system is turned off?

  

  Purchase a sprinkler with a check valve. Both Rainbird and Toro sell these for most $5.

• Question

  My sprinkler head yet runs after I shut off the water. How exercise I stop this?

  

  If y'all hateful that the head merely continually leaks, information technology's nearly probable a faulty diaphragm. Go to YouTube and await up how to modify it on your arrangement. It is actually pretty easy. But have a screwdriver and paper towel to offset. Turn off your system and the water supply to the system before starting.

• Question

  My sprinkler rotor is stuck at the end of the travel. How should I ready this?

  

  Expect for anything that might be obstructing the sprinkler caput's path. If you lot don't find an obvious blockage, try disassembling and reassembling the head and meet if that helps. This volition give yous a closer await at the track and rotor mechanism.

• Question

  What causes a sprinkler caput to accident off when the water is turned on?

  

  Chances are, mischievous troublemakers have glued the sprinkler holes closed and caused the pressure to build up until the head blows off.

• Question

  What would make water non come up out of my sprinklers when turned on?

  

  The 2 most likely causes are a bad connection or a blockage. Try tightening the sprinkler head on the riser, or applying a layer of thread seal record to brand sure the connexion is secure. If that doesn't do the play a trick on, the problem could be a clog somewhere in the water line. In this example, you'll want to remove the sprinkler head and flush the water from the line for 30-sixty seconds to remove clay and any other debris that has concluded upward inside.

• Question

  How exercise I gear up a sprinkler head that leaks water afterwards beingness turned off?

  

  Look for a bad connection between the sprinkler head and rising. A quick hand-tightening or a layer of thread seal record should resolve the consequence.

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• Damaged grass should abound back within a few weeks. Subsequently, it will be like it never happened!

• You can oft purchase replacement pop-up sprinkler heads for as lilliputian every bit $10-twenty.

• Put on an onetime change of clothes before you start tinkering with your sprinkler. Since y'all'll be working directly on your yard's water line, things may get a little muddied.

Cheers for submitting a tip for review!

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• If you continue to accept problem with your sprinkler arrangement, information technology could be that there'south an issue with the water line itself. Contact a qualified outdoor plumber to diagnose the source of the trouble and brand any necessary repairs.

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Things You'll Need

• Replacement pop-up sprinkler caput
• Hand trowel or shovel
• Thread seal tape
• Serrated knife (optional)
• Cloth or plastic bag (optional)

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Article Summary 10

To repair a pop-up sprinkler head, start past cut a 6-8 inch circle into the grass around the sprinkler and removing the grass with a trowel or shovel. Then, scoop out the soil along the sides of the hole until you lot can see the metallic pipe connecting the sprinkler head to the supply line. Next, twist the sprinkler head counterclockwise to remove it and buy a new sprinkler head that's the aforementioned size. Finally, install the new sprinkler head and make full in the hole you dug around the sprinkler. To acquire how to examination a new sprinkler head after you install it, coil down!

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