How To Repair Sprinkler Main Line

Download Article

A broken sprinkler line can seem like a difficult and expensive repair, but it'southward actually pretty simple to do. First, notice the leak by looking for escaping h2o or sprinkler heads with niggling to no flow. Then, dig up and expose the damaged pipe so y'all can remove information technology. Use a skid coupling to replace the damaged section of pipage, make full in the dirt around information technology, and you're done!

Things You Should Know

Plough on the sprinkler to locate the leak. Once you lot discover it, turn the water off.
Dig upwardly the area above the leak to expose the damaged sprinkler line. Make clean off the exposed section with a wet material.
Saw off a four in (10 cm) section of pipage to remove the leak. Clamp the pipe ends and insert a skid coupling betwixt them to repair the line.

1
Plow on the sprinkler arrangement. In order to locate the suspension or leak in the sprinkler system, you lot need to run water through information technology. Turn on the sprinkler organisation to activate the period of h2o.^[1]
- Allow the water to run for nearly 2 minutes before you check the lines.
- Practise this in the daytime, where you'll have an easier time spotting the leak.
Tip: If your sprinkler system is separated into zones, activate the zones 1 at a time so y'all can place the break or leak more easily.
two
Listen for the sound of running water. Subsequently yous turn on the sprinkler system, walk through the area where the sprinkler organisation is installed. Heed for running water and walk towards where you hear the sound to locate the leak in your sprinkler line.^[two]
- You lot may not be able to discover the leak but by listening, but it tin aid yous narrow downward your search.
Advertisement
three
See if there's h2o spouting out of a section of the line. If you lot see water spraying out of the line instead of the sprinkler head, then there's a scissure or leak in the line. One time you've identified where the leak is, mark the location so you lot can find information technology when the h2o is turned off.^[3]
- If the sprinkler line is exposed enough for you lot to see h2o spraying out of a break or crack, check the line for a visible crack, and apply a marker to mark the location of the leak.
4
Check for water bubbling up from the soil. If you lot see a pool of water or h2o coming from the soil, so there's a leak in the sprinkler line buried underneath. Mark the general location of the leak or break so yous can identify information technology when the water is turned off.^[4]
- Place an detail like a shovel or a rock on the ground near the leak.
5
Expect for a series of sprinkler heads that aren't working properly. If you're having trouble finding water leaking out into the ground, check the sprinkler heads. If you notice a row of them aren't spraying h2o or are spraying much less water than other sprinkler heads, and then the line is broken and the water isn't reaching them.^[5]
- The interruption or leak in the h2o line volition exist located between the last working sprinkler head and the offset nonworking i.
6
Turn off the sprinkler system afterwards yous've found the leak. If y'all've found the signs of a leak and located the region where the line is leaking or broken, plow off the h2o so you can repair the line. Utilise the shut off valve in the control box to stop the flow of h2o through the system.^[6]
- Wait 1-2 minutes to let the water to terminate flowing through the organisation.
- Be sure to close the valve completely so there isn't water flowing through the line when you make your repairs.

ane
Use a hand trowel to dig upward the surface area in a higher place the sprinkler line. A shovel tin break the sprinkler system even further. Use a smaller paw trowel when you dig around the damaged section of the line and make your repairs without damaging more of it.^[7]
- A larger pause in the arrangement could mean a costly repair.
2
Cutting a square patch with a shovel over the interruption if the line is buried. Use your hand trowel to cut the outline of a large square in the grass above the area of the line that is leaking or broken. Make sure the cuts are consistent so you can replace the patch when you're washed repairing the line.^[viii]
- Cut a foursquare or rectangular shape and then information technology's easier to fit back into place when you're finished.
three
Remove the patch with 2–3 inches (5.1–7.six cm) of dirt on the roots. If you've cut a foursquare outline of grass, dig down enough to remove the roots with enough clay to keep them intact so they can regenerate when you replace the patch. Apply two hands to grip the grass and pull the patch off of the ground.^[9]
- Cutting the roots with the manus trowel if they cling to the ground, but exist certain to go out enough and so they can regrow.
Tip: It can assistance to have another person piece longer roots while you pull the patch of grass off.
four
Dig carefully around the sprinkler line to expose it. Once you've remove the patch of grass, y'all volition be left with a clean square of world higher up the interruption or crack in the sprinkler line. Take your time and dig downwardly and effectually the line to expose it.^[10]
- Make the whole wide enough and then the pipe is exposed for 6 inches (15 cm) on each side.
- Dig about iii inches (7.half dozen cm) below the line then it'southward easier to remove.
- Pile the dirt you remove next to the hole so you can replace information technology when y'all're finished.
5

Clean off the section of exposed pipe with a wet cloth. To avoid getting dirt and debris in the sprinkler line when you make your repairs, wash off the department of exposed pipe. Use a make clean fabric and h2o to scrub the dirt from information technology.^[xi]

Advertising

1
Saw off a 4 in (10 cm) section of pipe at the leak. You need to remove a big enough section to fit your skid coupling into the pipe. Once y'all've exposed the pipe where the leak or break is, use a hacksaw to remove the department that contains the leak or interruption. Utilise smooth, consistent sawing motions to cut the pipe so the edge is even.^[12]
- Remove the damaged piece of piping later on you cut it.
2
Place a ring clamp on each end of the pipe. A ring clamp is a strap of metallic that forms a loop that you tin tighten. Later on y'all've removed the damage section of pipe, slide a band clamp on to each end of the pipe. Don't tighten the clamps yet so you lot can fit your slip coupling into the gap.^[thirteen]
- You tin notice band clamps at your local hardware shop, department stores, or online.
three
Insert a slip coupling into the piping. A slip coupling is a plastic piping that is flexible and allows you to extend information technology to the length that you demand information technology to be. Slide the end of the coupling into 1 stop of the exposed pipe. Then, extend the coupling so it fits into the other end of the pipe.^[14]
- Bring the damaged department of pipe to the hardware shop so you can go a slip coupling with a diameter that fits into it.
- Apply a slip coupling with a i inch (2.5 cm) slip.
- You can find a slip coupling at a hardware store or online.
- Extend the coupling as far as information technology will go into the pipage.
4
Tighten both clamps to seal the line. Use the mechanism on the band clamps to screw them tight then the slip coupling is held firmly in place. The clamps must be secure in gild to foreclose whatsoever leaks.^[15]
- Use a screwdriver to tighten the band clamps.
5
Turn on the sprinkler organisation and check for a leak. After you lot've made your repairs, you need to exam it before yous cover the line back up. Turn on the arrangement and inspect the slip coupling that you installed to make sure there isn't any water leaking out.^[16]
- Allow the organisation to run for five minutes so you can be sure the coupling and clamps won't come loose.
half dozen

Make full the hole with clay and replace the patch of grass. In one case you've repaired the broken sprinkler line, you can apply your hand trowel to supervene upon the dirt that yous removed. So place the patch back into identify and water information technology so the roots start to grow back into the basis.^[17]

Tip: Make sure you fill up the area below the repaired pipe and so the dirt on top doesn't bend or break the pipe over time.

Add New Question

Question

How do you fix a broken overhead spray irrigation line?

Mike Garcia is a Licensed Landscape Contractor and the Founder of Enviroscape LA, a total-service landscape design and structure firm in Los Angeles, California. With over 30 years of feel, 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 Design, California Naturalist, International Certified Professional person Pond Contractor, and Pond Building certifications. He is 1 of eight Internationally Certified Pond Builders in the world. Enviroscape LA has won mural and h2o feature awards from the International Professional Pond Contractors Association (IPPCA), National Association of Swimming Professionals (NAPP), and the California Landscape Contractors Clan (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 U.s. Magazine, Swimming and Garden Lifestyles Magazine, and the Los Angeles Times. Mike has appeared on Extreme Home Makeover, HGTV'south Landscapers Claiming, and A & Due east'south series Gear up That Yard.

Licensed Mural Contractor

Expert Respond

Focus on figuring out where the leak is. If the nozzle is broken, but unscrew information technology and attach a new ane. If the chief body that the nozzle screws into is damaged, remove the entire head and install a replacement.
Question

How exercise you prepare a broken drip irrigation line?

Mike Garcia is a Licensed Landscape Contractor and the Founder of Enviroscape LA, a full-service landscape design and structure business firm 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 Swimming Contractor, and Swimming Building certifications. He is one of 8 Internationally Certified Pond Builders in the world. Enviroscape LA has won mural and water feature awards from the International Professional Swimming Contractors Clan (IPPCA), National Association of Pond Professionals (NAPP), and the California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA). Mike is a by 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 Magazine, and the Los Angeles Times. Mike has appeared on Extreme Dwelling Makeover, HGTV's Landscapers Claiming, and A & E's series Fix That 1000.

Licensed Landscape Contractor

Expert Answer

Cutting through the cleaved department of drip irrigation line if isn't severed all the fashion through. Then, install a pressure coupling on both ends.
Question

How do I replace a damaged corner of a PVC sprinkler line?

Y'all may have to supervene upon two pipes instead of ane, as well equally a corner coupling. Repair couplings (every bit shown to a higher place) can brand the procedure relatively easy.
Question

Tin a backyard mower cause a broken piping?

Yes, if the pipe is sticking up from the ground.
Question

How tin can I turn off my sprinkler organization?

The system itself may have a shutoff valve. If non, trace the supply line dorsum to the nearest shutoff, and use that.
Question

What tin can I do if the h2o will non drain around the leak?

Wait longer. It will somewhen drain. Or take reward of the h2o while the hole is total of h2o. Assuming you lot plant the leak, you have to articulate some room effectually it to deal with it. If the water is taking longer than you like to drain, dig around and nether the trouble area with a hand trowel and scoop out mud, sand, whatsoever the consistency of your soil is. If you're working in an area you lot desire kept gratuitous of dirt, like a sidewalk by a dwelling house archway, you might want to scoop the removed material into something else to save it for refilling the hole after the repair. A beach bucket or old towel works.
Question

How do I repair a cracked riser?

Employ the same procedure shown above for a horizontal line. Note the utilise of a repair coupling. That makes the process quick and easy.
Question

Are in that location different sizes of PVC for a sprinkler line?

PVC comes in many sizes. The right size to use depends on the size of the sprinkler arrangement. A typical size would be ¾" or 1" in diameter. Ask for communication from a plumbing-supply, hardware, or domicile-improvement store.