How to Repair a Pop up Sprinkler Head
Cut through the lawn surrounding the sprinkler head, about 6 inches (15.2 cm) all the way around, using a serrated knife or dirt shovel with a point on the end., Pry up the section of turf using a hand trowel or small shovel (about 2-3 inches thick)...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Cut through the lawn surrounding the sprinkler head
(Be cautious not to dig too deep so as not to puncture the water line.) Please note that if you have a 6 inch (15.2 cm) pop-up or greater, there is a good chance that the piping has been run to the side inlet of your head (only a few inches underground).
Pay special attention to avoid slicing the tubing to this side inlet. -
Step 2: about 6 inches (15.2 cm) all the way around
, Set the dirt in a pile nearby; you'll need it later to refill the hole.
Dig down carefully until you reach the water-supply pipe (about 6-8 inches below the grass). , Be careful not to let too much dirt fall into the opening of the riser (plug it with a small piece of cloth).
The riser may become unscrewed from the supply pipe while remaining attached to the sprinkler.
Simply unscrew it from the sprinkler being careful not to damage the threads at either end.
It is sometimes helpful to shove a sharp hunting knife into the end of the riser, and twist to remove the riser from the sprinkler.
The edges of the knife dig just slightly into the riser, allowing you enough contact to twist and remove the riser. , The foolproof way is to buy exactly the same brand and model as the old.
If not, be sure that the new one matches the old in 2 ways: (1) same diameter female opening at the bottom, and (2) same overall length.
Different brands are different lengths, and if you get one that is too long, it will stick out of the grass after you install it.
Another consideration: if possible, buy a sprinkler body that has an orange flush-plug top instead of a nozzle, which will make it easy to flush dirt from the line after installation. , Screw in the new sprinkler body until it is hand-tight. ,,, Before re-filling the hole, run the sprinkler and check for leaks around the riser.
Tighten the sprinkler as necessary (or add more Teflon tape) to eliminate the leak. ,,, You may need to twist the nozzle slightly to adjust the pattern -
Step 3: using a serrated knife or dirt shovel with a point on the end.
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Step 4: Pry up the section of turf using a hand trowel or small shovel (about 2-3 inches thick) and set the turf aside to replace later.
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Step 5: Carefully dig away the dirt surrounding the sprinkler head.
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Step 6: Once you have cleared all the way down to the riser (a short vertical pipe connected to the water-supply pipe)
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Step 7: unscrew the old sprinkler body and remove it.
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Step 8: Take the old sprinkler body to the store
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Step 9: and buy a new sprinkler body that is the same size as the old one.
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Step 10: Wrap a thin coating of Teflon tape around the threaded male end of the riser (Teflon tape is available in the plumbing section of any home-improvement store).
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Step 11: Turn on the sprinkler line for just a moment to blow out any dirt that may have fallen into the line.
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Step 12: Turn off the sprinklers
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Step 13: then using the flush-plug ring
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Step 14: pull up the riser
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Step 15: unscrew the flush-plug
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Step 16: put in the plastic filter screen and screw on the nozzle.
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Step 17: Twist the nozzle to align the spray pattern so it sprays onto the lawn
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Step 18: not the surrounding area.
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Step 19: Replace the dirt back into the hole
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Step 20: packing it down around the sprinkler body.
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Step 21: Replace the turf and push it down around the sprinkler head.
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Step 22: Turn on the sprinklers to check that everything is spraying correctly.
Detailed Guide
(Be cautious not to dig too deep so as not to puncture the water line.) Please note that if you have a 6 inch (15.2 cm) pop-up or greater, there is a good chance that the piping has been run to the side inlet of your head (only a few inches underground).
Pay special attention to avoid slicing the tubing to this side inlet.
, Set the dirt in a pile nearby; you'll need it later to refill the hole.
Dig down carefully until you reach the water-supply pipe (about 6-8 inches below the grass). , Be careful not to let too much dirt fall into the opening of the riser (plug it with a small piece of cloth).
The riser may become unscrewed from the supply pipe while remaining attached to the sprinkler.
Simply unscrew it from the sprinkler being careful not to damage the threads at either end.
It is sometimes helpful to shove a sharp hunting knife into the end of the riser, and twist to remove the riser from the sprinkler.
The edges of the knife dig just slightly into the riser, allowing you enough contact to twist and remove the riser. , The foolproof way is to buy exactly the same brand and model as the old.
If not, be sure that the new one matches the old in 2 ways: (1) same diameter female opening at the bottom, and (2) same overall length.
Different brands are different lengths, and if you get one that is too long, it will stick out of the grass after you install it.
Another consideration: if possible, buy a sprinkler body that has an orange flush-plug top instead of a nozzle, which will make it easy to flush dirt from the line after installation. , Screw in the new sprinkler body until it is hand-tight. ,,, Before re-filling the hole, run the sprinkler and check for leaks around the riser.
Tighten the sprinkler as necessary (or add more Teflon tape) to eliminate the leak. ,,, You may need to twist the nozzle slightly to adjust the pattern
About the Author
Claire Nelson
Specializes in breaking down complex lifestyle topics into simple steps.
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