How to Fix a Broken Sprinkler Pipe
Buy supplies., Find the rupture., Turn off the sprinklers, if you don’t this could be a very hard task. , Dig up the pipe., Cut the pipe., Measure a new length of pipe that is just a bit shorter than the gap left by old pipe that you cut away...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Buy supplies.
Nothing is worse than having to run to the hardware store in the middle of a project.
See the list of things you need below. -
Step 2: Find the rupture.
Usually a soggy area of grass, but sometimes it is a geyser. ,, Not the whole pipe, just the section that is broken.
Carefully remove the section of grass above the pipe, trying to keep it intact.
Do this by cutting a circular section with the end of your shovel above where you are to dig then carefully lifting it off.
Dig up the dirt above the bad pipe with a shovel (you will probably also need a hand trowel to dig up the dirt under the pipe).
You will want to have at least 6 inches (15.2 cm) on each side of the break clear and enough room for you fist underneath the pipe.
If the hole fills with water, you will either have to wait for it to dry or bail it out (the latter is recommended). , Get a hacksaw, PVC or metal pipe cutters (depending on what type of pipe you have, older sprinkler systems are usually metal, while newer ones tend to be PVC).
Cut the broken section out so that you have clean, undamaged pipe on both sides. , It should probably be 1/2 " to 1" shorter to allow room for the connectors.
Or you can buy a PVC fitting from most home improvement stores that has one pipe sliding inside an outer barrel with an O-ring inside.
It will extend almost 3" in length.
I have seen in stores 1/2" to 2 1/2" in diameter sizes.
One end is a female slip and the other is a male that needs a coupling, elbow, or tee to connect to complete the repair. , Some water will come pouring out at first, you could try to catch it, but it is easier to bail it out.
Once the water stops coming out, clean both ends with a rag. , If you are lucky enough to have PVC then you just put the PVC primer and glue on the outside of the pipe and inside of the straight connectors and slip them together.
Work quickly because the glue sets fast.
Then put the section you just glued in the gap you just created, repeating the gluing procedure.
If you have metal pipes you will have to thread the outside of the pipe to fit the connectors rather than gluing them. , Turn the sprinklers back on and make sure it is sealed properly. , -
Step 3: Turn off the sprinklers
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Step 4: if you don’t this could be a very hard task.
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Step 5: Dig up the pipe.
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Step 6: Cut the pipe.
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Step 7: Measure a new length of pipe that is just a bit shorter than the gap left by old pipe that you cut away.
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Step 8: Clean the pipe.
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Step 9: Fit the new section.
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Step 10: Test the pipe.
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Step 11: If everything is fixed
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Step 12: cover up the hole and replace the grass you so carefully removed before.
Detailed Guide
Nothing is worse than having to run to the hardware store in the middle of a project.
See the list of things you need below.
Usually a soggy area of grass, but sometimes it is a geyser. ,, Not the whole pipe, just the section that is broken.
Carefully remove the section of grass above the pipe, trying to keep it intact.
Do this by cutting a circular section with the end of your shovel above where you are to dig then carefully lifting it off.
Dig up the dirt above the bad pipe with a shovel (you will probably also need a hand trowel to dig up the dirt under the pipe).
You will want to have at least 6 inches (15.2 cm) on each side of the break clear and enough room for you fist underneath the pipe.
If the hole fills with water, you will either have to wait for it to dry or bail it out (the latter is recommended). , Get a hacksaw, PVC or metal pipe cutters (depending on what type of pipe you have, older sprinkler systems are usually metal, while newer ones tend to be PVC).
Cut the broken section out so that you have clean, undamaged pipe on both sides. , It should probably be 1/2 " to 1" shorter to allow room for the connectors.
Or you can buy a PVC fitting from most home improvement stores that has one pipe sliding inside an outer barrel with an O-ring inside.
It will extend almost 3" in length.
I have seen in stores 1/2" to 2 1/2" in diameter sizes.
One end is a female slip and the other is a male that needs a coupling, elbow, or tee to connect to complete the repair. , Some water will come pouring out at first, you could try to catch it, but it is easier to bail it out.
Once the water stops coming out, clean both ends with a rag. , If you are lucky enough to have PVC then you just put the PVC primer and glue on the outside of the pipe and inside of the straight connectors and slip them together.
Work quickly because the glue sets fast.
Then put the section you just glued in the gap you just created, repeating the gluing procedure.
If you have metal pipes you will have to thread the outside of the pipe to fit the connectors rather than gluing them. , Turn the sprinklers back on and make sure it is sealed properly. ,
About the Author
Julie James
Enthusiastic about teaching practical skills techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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