How To Repair A Leaking Sprinkler Head

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When an irrigation system leaks, it tin can waste water and cost you a lot of money in utilities. If you're comfy doing some repairs yourself, you tin set many leaks in the system with a few tools and supplies. Leaks mainly occur in a valve box, a sprinkler head, or a broken hose somewhere under your grand. Showtime by locating the leak, then take the necessary steps to repair it. When you lot're finished, your irrigation organisation should piece of work similar new!

i

Read the low menses indicator on your water meter to see if the leak is outside. Expect on your domicile'south water meter for a small triangular dial in the eye labeled "Low Menstruation Indicator." Watch the triangle to see if it rotates, which means there's a water leak somewhere within or outside your habitation.^[i] Find the water supply valve for your irrigation system near the water meter and turn the handle so it's perpendicular to the pipe. Look at the low flow meter on your meter, and if the triangle stops spinning, and then the leak is happening in the irrigation system.^[ii]

Tip: If your low menstruation indicator however rotates subsequently you shut off the supply to the irrigation system, then the leak is somewhere else in your home.
2
Bank check your irrigation system's valve boxes to see if there'south a leak in the valves. Locate the sprinkler valve boxes, which are ordinarily hidden underneath hard plastic or metal lids in your yard near the sprinkler heads. Lift the lid of each of your valve boxes and check the soil to see if it's wet. If there's standing h2o inside one of the valve boxes, then the leak may be occurring because debris is trapped in the valve. If the boxes are dry, then the leak may be located somewhere else in your m.^[3]
- The number of valve boxes in your chiliad depends on how many sprinklers you take attached to your system. Smaller systems may only have 1-2 valve boxes, but larger systems may have multiple spread throughout the 1000.
- If you aren't sure where your valve boxes are in your chiliad, call an irrigation professional to inspect your system for you.
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3
Note that flooding or inconsistent sprays from sprinklers may be a faulty connection. Rotate the dial on the irrigation organisation'southward controller to turn on individual sprinkler zones, and watch how the sprinklers piece of work while they're running. If the sprinkler caput has a weak flow or doesn't spray equally efficiently as normal, then you may have an issue with the hose connection or a clog in the filter. When yous discover a problem with a sprinkler head, mark information technology with a stake flag and so y'all're able to locate it while the system is turned off.^[four]
- Inconsistent spray could also happen due to a leaking valve or a cleaved hose.
- You can buy stake flags from your local hardware store.
4
Sentry your k for pools of standing water to come across if you may have a broken hose. ^[5] When you run your irrigation system, look between your sprinklers to see if y'all notice any water pooling in that location. Flooding in a specific area of your yard may mean the hose or pipage underneath the surface area is cleaved and needs to be replaced. One time you make up one's mind where the water is pooling, mark off the area with stake flags then yous know where to dig to supervene upon a section of the hose.^[six]
- Water may not puddle in an area if you live on a slope or if the leak is modest.
- If you're still unable to locate where the leak is occurring, turn off the water supply to your system and telephone call an irrigation specialist to expect for you. They may be able to notice the leak and offer repair services for it.
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1
Turn off the h2o supply to your irrigation system. Brand sure your irrigation system is turned off at the controller so information technology doesn't plough on while y'all're working. Wait for the shut-off valve for your irrigation system either inside or outside near your h2o meter, and rotate the handle then it's perpendicular to the pipe. Look 2-3 minutes for the water to empty from your irrigation pipes and hoses before standing so you don't cause any boosted leaks.^[7]
- Ever keep your irrigation arrangement's water supply off while you make repairs or else h2o will constantly run through the pipes and make it hard or messy to piece of work with.
2
Unscrew the chapeau on your main valve to expose the rubber diaphragm. Check the valve box that's leaking and locate the round hat to the solenoid valve that has screws on top. Use a screwdriver to rotate the screws counterclockwise and set them in a small container and so you lot don't lose them in your m. Pull the hat off of the valve to reveal a circular prophylactic piece, too known every bit the diaphragm.^[8]
- If you can't hands access the hat on the valve due to flooding, and so use a bucket or a turkey baster to go some of the water out of the way.
Tip: If your valve doesn't take a lid that hands screws off, you may demand to unscrew the whole valve arrangement by rotating information technology counterclockwise.^[ix]
three
Rinse and dry the rubber diaphragm to remove whatever debris inside. Carefully pull the rubber diaphragm out of the valve and audit information technology for any rips or tears. If the diaphragm still looks like information technology's in proficient condition, run information technology underneath water from your sink or hose to make clean off whatsoever clay or droppings that's left on it. Use a dry cleaning rag to dry out off the diaphragm and scrub any big pieces of droppings that are sticking to it.^[10]
- If the diaphragm is cracked or worn out, then y'all tin can buy a replacement from an irrigation specialist or from near hardware stores.
- If you had to unscrew the entire valve, then it will take a rubber O-ring around the threading that you can clean or replace.
- Cleaning the diaphragm may also cease leaks that occur near the sprinkler heads.
4
Reassemble the valve to test the irrigation organization over again. Place the rubber diaphragm back into the valve and cheque that information technology has a tight seal around the edge. Put the meridian lid dorsum onto the valve and reattach the screws that hold it in place. Plow on the water supply for your irrigation organisation and scout the valve box to run into if it withal floods inside. If the box stays dry out, then cleaning the diaphragm fixed the leak.^[11]
- If at that place is still a leak that occurs inside the valve box, the valve may exist faulty and you need to have a professional replace it.
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i

Plough off the h2o to your irrigation system. Make certain the irrigation controller is turned off then it doesn't automatically turn on while yous're working. Locate the main shut-off valve for your irrigation system connected to an indoor or outdoor pipe near your water meter. Rotate the handle so information technology'due south perpendicular to the pipe to ensure that h2o doesn't flow through the pipes or hoses anymore.^[12]
2
Clean the sprinkler head filter with water to see if information technology'southward clogged. Grip the meridian of the sprinkler caput with a pair of pliers and gently pull it up to heighten the sprayer. Rotate the spray head counterclockwise to unscrew information technology from the base and remove the filter. Rinse the filter and sprayer under clean water to remove whatsoever clogs or debris earlier reattaching it to the sprinkler system. Rotate the sprinkler head until the sprayer points at your grand again.^[xiii]
- While cleaning out the filter won't set up a leak, it volition help prevent them in the future since clogs tin can cause the h2o pressure to build and burst a hose connection.
3
Dig up the ground around the sprinkler head that's leaking. Offset your shovel virtually 6–12 inches (fifteen–30 cm) away from the sprinkler, and remove the soil and grass around it. Work slowly and carefully and then you don't suspension any hoses or pipes by accident, removing at least 6 inches (15 cm) of soil in each direction from the sprinkler. As you offset to uncover more of the sprinkler caput, utilise a small-scale hand trowel or your easily to motion the dirt and mud away to reveal the valve and hose connection on the bottom.^[xiv]
- If the ground is moisture or dingy from the leak, try to remove as much of the moisture mud as you can then the hoses and valves don't become muddied.
Warning: Contact your utility visitor earlier you start digging to see if in that location are whatever hidden power or gas lines underground. That way, you lot don't chance accidentally rupturing 1 of them.
4
Replace the bottom valve on the sprinkler if it's broken. Cheque the bottom L-shaped valve on the bottom of your sprinkler to run into if it has whatsoever cracks or breaks. If it does, then rotate it counterclockwise to unscrew information technology from the bottom of the sprinkler head. Be sure to utilize a replacement valve that matches the shape and size of the existing valve or else the connectedness won't fit. Screw the new valve clockwise onto the lesser of the sprinkler and then you tin use it once more.^[xv]
- You lot can buy replacement sprinkler valves from irrigation specialists or from hardware stores.
- If the valve wasn't broken, then be certain to rinse it off with make clean water and then none of the mud or clay gets inside the lines.
five
Look for cracks or bursts in the supply hose leading to the sprinkler head. If the valve wasn't damaged, check the end of the hose that attaches directly to the valve. Sometimes, the hose will rupture if the sprinkler gets clogged or if the hose is erstwhile and damaged. Look for any cracks or broken seams on the terminate of the hose, and if there are whatever, then you demand to repair the line.^[16]
- If the hose isn't damaged and the sprinkler was leaking, then y'all may need to replace the unabridged sprinkler head since it may be damaged.
6
Cut off croaky sections of hose with a piping cutter and wipe it clean. Brand certain you lot remove the unabridged section of hose that'southward cracked or damaged, or else information technology's more susceptible to leaking in the future. Place the edge of your pipe cutter on the hose and pull the handles together to brand a straight cutting through it. Only remove as much as you need so you lot don't demand to attach a new section of hose. Use a cleaning rag to wipe the edges of your cut then no mud or clay goes through your sprinkler caput.^[17]
- If the unabridged hose seems old or cracked, so you lot may need to dig information technology upward completely to supplant information technology.
7
Push the sprinkler valve onto the hose and then it has a secure fit. Push the end of the hose you only cutting onto the bottom valve of the sprinkler. If the valve has threading, and then rotate it onto the end of the hose. Otherwise, push the hose every bit far onto the valve every bit you're able so it has a secure fit. You practice non need to utilise any adhesives or pipage cement to concur it in place since the flanges will prevent water from escaping.^[xviii]
- If you aren't able to push button the hose onto the valve, dig up another two–3 inches (five.i–7.half dozen cm) of the hose so you're able to maneuver it around better.
8
Fill up in the pigsty so the peak of the sprinkler is flush with the ground. Hold the sprinkler upright so it's in the position that you want it, and start filling in dirt around it. Press the dirt tightly around the sprinkler head so information technology stays in place and doesn't shift around while you lot're working with it. Keep filling in the hole until the clay or grass is flush with the meridian of the sprinkler.^[19]
- If you removed water and mud from the hole you dug, so fill the hole in with dry out soil instead.
9
Turn on your sprinkler organisation to run into if it withal leaks. Turn the handle on the water supply valve so it's parallel with the pipe to open it again. Rotate the dial on the irrigation system'south controller to the sprinkler you just fixed to brand sure it works. If it's spraying correctly and doesn't have any pooling water, and so the sprinkler is fixed.^[20]
- If the sprinkler still has an inconsistent spray, you may need to supersede the sprinkler head entirely.
- If you notice h2o flooding or pooling next to sprinkler after fixing the hose, you may have a problem with one of the valves continued to that sprinkler.
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1
Close off the water for the irrigation system. Make sure the controller for your irrigation organization is in the "Off" position or else your sprinklers could start running while you're working. Detect the shut-off valve for your irrigation system on one of the interior or exterior pipes by your water meter, and rotate the handle so information technology's perpendicular to the pipage. Wait two-3 minutes for the h2o to cycle through the hoses before you start working.^[21]
- The hoses may notwithstanding have a little residuum water in them when you remove or repair them.
2
Dig up the area 12 in (30 cm) around the broken hose. Locate the surface area where you suspect the leak, and start advisedly digging into the ground with a shovel. Don't use a lot of strength so you don't accidentally break the hose while you're digging. Dig out 12 inches (30 cm) horizontally from each side of the hose so you take room to work. Expose the broken department of the hose and half dozen inches (15 cm) of excess on each side.^[22]
- Contact your local utility companies earlier you commencement excavation to find out if there are any buried ability or gas lines in your grand that you should avoid.
- If y'all dig up the hose and yous still don't encounter whatever damage, and then the leak may be draining from a different area of your thousand.
- Telephone call a professional irrigation service if yous can't locate where the leaking hose is in your one thousand since they may be able to locate it for yous.
Tip: Clean out as much mud or water equally y'all can with a bucket and so the area is dry during your repair.
three
Remove the broken section of hose with piping cutters. ^[23] Measure at least 2 inches (5.one cm) from each side of the ruptured hose and make a guide line using a mark. Open your pipe cutters and place the hose between the jaws. Squeeze the handles together to make a straight cut through the hose and remove the broken piece.^[24]
- If the unabridged hose looks cracked or damaged, then you may need to replace it completely.
4
Cutting a piece of hose that's the aforementioned length as the department you merely removed. Get a roll of PVC hosing from your local hardware store. Make sure you use a hose that's the aforementioned diameter as the existing one so it'south able to fit together well. Use the piece of hose you just removed as a guide for cutting your new piece. Concord the old piece of hose up against the new slice and make your cuts with the pipage cutters.^[25]
- Many irrigation lines use ⁷⁄₁₀ in (one.8 cm) thick hoses, just it may vary depending on your system.
5
Fit a compression coupling onto either side of the new hose section. ^[26] Pinch couplings are pieces of PVC that connect 2 pieces of hose together with a watertight seal. Make sure to use compression couplings that match the size and bore of your hose, or else they may leak. Slide the couplings halfway onto the ends of the slice of hose and so they don't motion or slip effectually. Continue pushing the couplings on until it covers about ane–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) of the hose'south ends.^[27]
- Y'all can buy pinch couplings from your local hardware store.
- If yous have problem sliding the coupling onto the hose, wet the edges of the hose with clean water to push them in easier.
6
Slide the compression couplings onto the cut ends of the buried hose. Once the compression couplings are on your new piece of hose, then button the other end of the coupling onto the hose that's buried in the ground. Make certain virtually 1–two inches (2.5–five.1 cm) of the hose goes into the coupling then it has a tight connection. If you need to, wet the ends of the hose to brand it easier to button into the couplings.^[28]
- You do non need to employ whatsoever adhesives or waterproofing textile to secure the couplings since they are already watertight.
7
Turn on your water supply to check if the hose leaks earlier filling in the hole. Open up the shut-off valve to your irrigation system and turn on the controller to the area y'all're working on. Watch the hose for any leaks or water spraying out of it to see if the couplings worked. If they do, then start filling in the pigsty yous dug with fresh, dry soil and pack it down tightly to hold it in place.^[29]
- If the couplings do not work, then you may need to dig up and replace the entire hose to set up it.
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How tin can I tell if my irrigation organization is leaking?

Mike Garcia is a Licensed Mural Contractor and the Founder of Enviroscape LA, a total-service mural design and construction house in Los Angeles, California. With over xxx years of experience, Mike specializes in sustainable landscape practices. Mike holds an Ornamental Horticulture degree, C-27 Landscape Contractor and D-49 Tree Service Contractor licenses, and Permaculture Blueprint, California Naturalist, International Certified Professional person Pond Contractor, and Pond Building certifications. He is 1 of eight Internationally Certified Swimming Builders in the world. Enviroscape LA has won landscape and h2o feature awards from the International Professional Pond Contractors Association (IPPCA), National Association of Swimming Professionals (NAPP), and the California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA). Mike is a past president of the CLCA and currently serves on their local Board of Directors. Enviroscape LA has been featured in PONDS USA Magazine, Pond and Garden Lifestyles Mag, and the Los Angeles Times. Mike has appeared on Extreme Domicile Makeover, HGTV'south Landscapers Claiming, and A & E's series Set That 1000.

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The simplest way is to turn on the system and look for pooling water. You tin also take a expect at your water meter to see if the depression-period detector is spinning. This usually indicates there's a leak somewhere.

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Check your irrigation arrangement for harm or leaks at least two-iii times throughout the year so you lot can regularly maintain it.
If you don't feel comfortable digging upward irrigation lines or repairing them yourself, call an irrigation specialist and hire them to aid out with the repairs.

Ever contact your utility visitor earlier you lot start excavation since at that place may be hidden power lines buried in your thousand.

Things You'll Demand

Stake flags

Screwdriver
Garden hose
Cleaning rag

Sink or hose
Shovel
Pipage cutter

Shovel
Pipe cutters
PVC hose
Compression couplings

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