While the sprinklers are doing its job of watering the entire lawn, we must assess if it functions well. Otherwise, if the damage in the sprinkler system is left untreated, it will be the source of high expenses in your water bill. With proper handling and care, your sprinkler system will last long. However, there are times where the sprinklers get damaged due to being stepped on and other factors.
And so, how can you fix the damaged sprinklers? There are parts of the sprinklers that might be damaged, or the sprinkler itself has damage. For these problems, there’s only one option, and it’s to replace the damaged parts. How though? This post will answer that question for you.
Here’s how to replace the entire sprinkler:
Assess which parts of the sprinkler is damaged
While the system is working, look around for indicators of damaged sprinkler system parts. For sprinkler heads, you can determine if it’s damaged if either the head doesn’t spray the usual amount of water, or it stopped functioning. The latter is an indicator of a damaged nozzle. If the riser pipe or the water pipeline is damaged, the area affected will look soggy. Once determined, turn off the water supply in that zone.
Purchase replacement parts
For you to properly replace the damaged parts, a replacement must be on hand. You can purchase one at a home improvement store near you. To prevent having problems later on, you must purchase the same brand and type of sprinkler as the damaged one.
If the damaged part is aboveground, follow the instruction manual
If the removable parts of the sprinkler like the nozzle is damaged, you should prepare a replacement nozzle. Then, follow the instructions on how to remove and attach it, which the manual in the product specifies.
If the underground pipe or sprinkler itself has damage, dig down and around the damaged area
Once you have a replacement, it’s time to begin the process. If grass patches surround the broken sprinkler, unearth it carefully and set aside. Then proceed to carefully excavate the ground around the broken sprinkler until the elbow junction is visible. Then, set aside the unearthed soil at a sheet of plastic.
Remove the damaged components
Once the excavation of the ground surrounding the damaged area completes, you can now remove the damaged parts for replacement. Once the riser pipe is detached, seal off the exposed water line with a sheet of plastic immediately. If the riser pipe comes off along with the old sprinkler and it’s not broken, remove it from the damaged head and attach it to the replacement sprinkler. Otherwise, use a pipe removal tool to remove the damaged riser and replace it with a new one with the same height.
Attach the replacement parts
Before attaching the riser back to the pipeline, wrap the male end of the riser with a Teflon tape to prevent water leakage by filling up the loose connection. Remove the plastic sheet from the exposed water line, and quickly twist back the riser (with the sprinkler head) in place.
Test to see if it functions well
Open the water supply of the zone where the newly installed sprinkler replacement is, and determine whether the new sprinkler is functioning as intended. If proven to be working well, cover up the vicinity again with the excavated ground, and carefully place back the displaced grass patch.
And with that, you’ll have your sprinklers working well again! If this post has helped you in regards to this matter, please don’t hesitate to share it with others!