Can You fix Your Own Broken Sprinkler System? Sometimes; Here’s How

Did you know that the sprinkler system was created in the 1870s? Needless to say, the mere fact that the lawn sprinkler hasn’t been usurped by another landscaping invention tells us that it’s been fulfilling all our gardening needs.

Of course, any homeowner will tell you that this rule is thrown out of the window when it comes to a broken sprinkler. However, fixing your own doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.

It is possible that if you have a sprinkler system and observe a brown spot on the grass, the issue may be a broken sprinkler head, which is a simple DIY job that should only take you a few minutes to do.

Keep on reading to learn all you need to know about how to fix a broken sprinkler system. 

The Basics of a Broken Sprinkler

In some cases, the first sign that a sprinkler head isn’t operating properly is a patch of brown grass around the broken head. Erratic spraying of the head, bubbling instead of spraying, or complete cessation of spraying are all possibilities.

In other cases, clogging of the sprinkler nozzle or debris in the sprinkler housing is to blame. Spray pattern irregularity or failure to rise and fall are indications of this problem. If you see any of these symptoms, you may have an issue with your airgun. Manually cleaning the dirt out of the nozzle or running water through it usually takes care of the issue.

Because of physical damage, such as when a sprinkler head is struck by a lawnmower, it is necessary to replace the whole sprinkler head rather than just the sprinkler head itself. Animals may damage sprinkler heads to get a drink during a particularly dry summer.

It’s possible to damage a sprinkler head if it’s set too high by yanking on the hose around it while watering another portion of the yard.

Fixing a Lawn Sprinkler System 101: Mark the Broken Sprinkler Head

There are occasions when it’s clear which sprinkler head is faulty. It’s possible that a spray of water will emerge from the sprinkler head. However, it is not always that evident.

The most common reason for a malfunctioning sprinkler head is a malfunctioning zone. There are a few ways to identify which section of the zone is malfunctioning. A zone’s sprinklers are all linked together in a single path. It’s possible to have a single sprinkler head in the line that is damaged, and the rest of the sprinkler heads in the line will either be off or have very low pressure.

A faulty sprinkler may be difficult to see at first. Perhaps there isn’t any obvious indicator of a failure at first. However, you may be able to hear it and see a puddle forming after some time. When the sprinkler head is close to a sidewalk or driveway, this is most noticeable.

Dig a Trench Around the Sprinkler Head

Dig out the area surrounding the head, you’ll probably just need around 6-8 inches of space.

You’ll want to dig cautiously so that you don’t damage the sprinkler’s piping. I like to use a garden trowel to remove the soil around the sprinkler head rather than a shovel. If you can’t see the main pipe, you’ll need to dig more.

Unscrew the Lawn Sprinkler Head

You can unscrew the sprinkler head now that you’ve cleaned up the dirt. You should be able to unscrew it with your hand, even if it’s a little tight. If required, remove the riser.

The sprinkler head and the mainline are often separated by a riser. As long as it isn’t destroyed, you may keep this in place. You can use a riser extractor to remove a damaged riser.

The riser extractor is easy to operate. For best results, utilize the cone fittings that fit inside the riser about halfway. To remove the screw, apply pressure and then twist. The extraction tool will dislodge the riser.

Replace the Sprinkler Head if Necessary

When shopping for a new sprinkler head, size and form are two of the most critical factors to keep in mind. Simply go into your local Lowe’s, Home Depot, or other hardware shop and ask for assistance in replacing your damaged sprinkler head.

Or, you can cut through the chase and pick the best sprinkler valve on the market.

You’ll need to pay attention to both the size and the form of the item you’re purchasing. Full, half, and quarter-circles are the most common shapes. Once the damaged sprinkler head has been removed, it will be simple to find a replacement.

A cut-off riser should be purchased if your original riser breaks. This will make it easier for you to set the height of your sprinkler head.

Assemble the New Sprinkler Head

You may use the PVC pipe cutter to cut the cut-off riser to the right height if you need to replace the riser. The first step is to screw the sprinkler head’s sprinkler pipe into the pipe. Use Teflon tape to seal the threads of the pipe before screwing it into the wall. Leaks may be prevented by this.

To repair a damaged sprinkler head, simply detach the original head and screw in a new sprinkler head where it was unscrewed. You should surround the sprinkler head with earth.

Pack the earth securely around the sprinkler head once you’ve filled it in. Then, you can place any sods you’ve removed back on top if you’ve done so. Now, it’s time to check your system out and you should be good to go.

Lawn Sprinkler Maintenance: Simple and Clear

You might be practically an expert on landscaping, or this is the first time you’ve owned a home. Regardless of where you are on your lawn maintenance journey, now you know how to fix a broken sprinkler.

And, if you liked reading our article, then you’ll love checking out our additional tips and explainers in our home improvement section.