How To Repair A Broken Sprinkler Line

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A cleaved sprinkler line can seem like a difficult and expensive repair, but it's actually pretty simple to do. First, find the leak past looking for escaping water or sprinkler heads with little to no flow. Then, dig up and expose the damaged pipage so you can remove it. Utilise a slip coupling to replace the damaged section of pipe, fill in the dirt around it, and you're done!

Things You Should Know

Turn on the sprinkler to locate the leak. Once you notice information technology, turn the water off.
Dig up the area above the leak to expose the damaged sprinkler line. Clean off the exposed section with a wet cloth.
Saw off a 4 in (10 cm) department of pipage to remove the leak. Clamp the pipe ends and insert a skid coupling between them to repair the line.

one
Turn on the sprinkler arrangement. In gild to locate the break or leak in the sprinkler arrangement, you need to run water through information technology. Plow on the sprinkler system to actuate the flow of water.^[1] ^[ii]
- Permit the water to run for about 2 minutes before you lot check the lines.
- Practise this in the daytime, where y'all'll have an easier time spotting the leak.^[3]
Tip: If your sprinkler organization is separated into zones, activate the zones 1 at a time so you tin identify the break or leak more easily.
2
Listen for the audio of running water. Later on y'all turn on the sprinkler system, walk through the area where the sprinkler system is installed. Listen for running water and walk towards where you hear the audio to locate the leak in your sprinkler line.^[4]
- You may not be able to notice the leak but by listening, but it can help you narrow downward your search.
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3
See if in that location'south water spouting out of a section of the line. If you see water spraying out of the line instead of the sprinkler head, then in that location'south a crack or leak in the line.^[5] One time y'all've identified where the leak is, mark the location then you tin can find information technology when the water is turned off.^[6]
- If the sprinkler line is exposed plenty for you to run into water spraying out of a interruption or crack, check the line for a visible crack, and use a marker to mark the location of the leak.
four
Check for water bubbles up from the soil. If you see a pool of water or h2o coming from the soil, so there'southward a leak in the sprinkler line cached underneath.^[7] Marking the general location of the leak or intermission so you can identify it when the water is turned off.^[8]
- Identify an item like a shovel or a rock on the basis virtually the leak.
5
Wait for a series of sprinkler heads that aren't working properly. If yous're having trouble finding water leaking out into the ground, check the sprinkler heads. If you notice a row of them aren't spraying water or are spraying much less water than other sprinkler heads, so the line is broken and the water isn't reaching them.^[ix]
- The pause or leak in the water line will be located between the last working sprinkler head and the first nonworking one.
6
Turn off the sprinkler system subsequently y'all've establish the leak. If y'all've found the signs of a leak and located the region where the line is leaking or broken, turn off the water so you tin can repair the line. Apply the shut off valve in the control box to stop the flow of water through the system.^[ten]
- Await 1-2 minutes to allow the h2o to finish flowing through the organization.
- Be sure to shut the valve completely so there isn't water flowing through the line when you lot make your repairs.
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1
Use a hand trowel to dig upward the area above the sprinkler line. A shovel tin can break the sprinkler organisation even further. Utilise a smaller hand trowel when you lot dig around the damaged section of the line and make your repairs without dissentious more than of it.^[11]
- A larger suspension in the system could mean a costly repair.
ii
Cut a square patch with a shovel over the break if the line is buried. Use your hand trowel to cut the outline of a large square in the grass in a higher place the surface area of the line that is leaking or broken. Make certain the cuts are consistent and then yous tin supercede the patch when yous're done repairing the line.^[12]
- Cut a foursquare or rectangular shape so it's easier to fit dorsum into place when you're finished.
iii
Remove the patch with two–iii inches (5.ane–7.vi cm) of dirt on the roots. If you lot've cut a square outline of grass, dig down plenty to remove the roots with plenty dirt to keep them intact so they tin can regenerate when you replace the patch. Utilize 2 hands to grip the grass and pull the patch off of the ground.^[13]
- Cut the roots with the paw trowel if they cling to the ground, but exist sure to leave enough and then they can regrow.
Tip: Information technology can assist to have another person piece longer roots while you pull the patch of grass off.
4
Dig carefully around the sprinkler line to expose it. Once you've remove the patch of grass, you volition be left with a make clean square of globe in a higher place the suspension or crack in the sprinkler line. Have your time and dig down and around the line to expose it.^[14]
- Make the whole wide enough and so the pipe is exposed for 6 inches (15 cm) on each side.
- Dig nigh 3 inches (7.6 cm) beneath the line so information technology's easier to remove.
- Pile the dirt you lot remove next to the hole and so y'all tin supersede it when you're finished.
5

Clean off the department of exposed pipage with a moisture cloth. To avert getting clay and debris in the sprinkler line when you make your repairs, launder off the section of exposed pipe. Use a clean cloth and h2o to scrub the clay from it.^[xv]

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1
Saw off a 4 in (x cm) section of pipe at the leak. Y'all demand to remove a big enough section to fit your slip coupling into the pipe. Once you've exposed the pipe where the leak or break is, utilise a hacksaw to remove the section that contains the leak or suspension. Utilise polish, consequent sawing motions to cut the piping so the border is even.^[16]
- Remove the damaged piece of pipe after you cut it.
2
Place a band clamp on each finish of the pipe. A band clamp is a strap of metal that forms a loop that yous tin can tighten. After y'all've removed the damage department of piping, slide a ring clamp on to each cease of the pipage. Don't tighten the clamps however and so you can fit your slip coupling into the gap.^[17]
- Y'all can find band clamps at your local hardware store, department stores, or online.
3
Insert a sideslip coupling into the pipe. A skid coupling is a plastic pipe that is flexible and allows you to extend it to the length that you need it to exist. Slide the cease of the coupling into 1 end of the exposed pipe. Then, extend the coupling so it fits into the other finish of the pipage.^[18]
- Bring the damaged section of piping to the hardware store then you can get a skid coupling with a diameter that fits into it.
- Apply a slip coupling with a 1 inch (two.5 cm) sideslip.
- You tin find a slip coupling at a hardware shop or online.
- Extend the coupling as far as it will go into the pipage.
iv
Tighten both clamps to seal the line. Use the mechanism on the band clamps to screw them tight so the slip coupling is held firmly in place. The clamps must be secure in order to prevent any leaks.^[xix]
- Use a screwdriver to tighten the band clamps.
5
Turn on the sprinkler arrangement and bank check for a leak. After you lot've made your repairs, you need to test it before you comprehend the line back up. Plough on the system and inspect the slip coupling that y'all installed to make sure there isn't any water leaking out.^[20]
- Allow the system to run for 5 minutes and so you tin exist sure the coupling and clamps won't come loose.
6

Fill the hole with dirt and supervene upon the patch of grass. One time yous've repaired the broken sprinkler line, you can use your hand trowel to replace the clay that you removed. Then identify the patch dorsum into place and water information technology so the roots start to abound dorsum into the ground.^[21]

Tip: Make sure you fill the area beneath the repaired piping and then the dirt on top doesn't bend or break the piping over time.

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Question

How practise you fix a cleaved overhead spray irrigation line?

Mike Garcia is a Licensed Landscape Contractor and the Founder of Enviroscape LA, a total-service landscape design and construction firm in Los Angeles, California. With over 30 years of experience, Mike specializes in sustainable mural practices. Mike holds an Ornamental Horticulture caste, C-27 Mural Contractor and D-49 Tree Service Contractor licenses, and Permaculture Design, California Naturalist, International Certified Professional Pond Contractor, and Pond Edifice certifications. He is one of 8 Internationally Certified Pond Builders in the world. Enviroscape LA has won landscape and water feature awards from the International Professional Pond Contractors Association (IPPCA), National Association of Swimming Professionals (NAPP), and the California Landscape Contractors Association (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 Usa Magazine, Pond and Garden Lifestyles Magazine, and the Los Angeles Times. Mike has appeared on Extreme Abode Makeover, HGTV'southward Landscapers Challenge, and A & E's serial Fix That Yard.

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Expert Respond

Focus on figuring out where the leak is. If the nozzle is cleaved, simply unscrew it and attach a new 1. If the chief body that the nozzle screws into is damaged, remove the entire caput and install a replacement.
Question

How do you ready a broken baste irrigation line?

Mike Garcia is a Licensed Landscape Contractor and the Founder of Enviroscape LA, a full-service landscape design and construction firm in Los Angeles, California. With over thirty years of experience, Mike specializes in sustainable landscape practices. Mike holds an Ornamental Horticulture degree, C-27 Mural Contractor and D-49 Tree Service Contractor licenses, and Permaculture Design, California Naturalist, International Certified Professional Pond Contractor, and Swimming Building certifications. He is 1 of eight Internationally Certified Swimming Builders in the globe. Enviroscape LA has won landscape and h2o feature awards from the International Professional Swimming Contractors Association (IPPCA), National Association of Pond Professionals (NAPP), and the California Landscape Contractors Association (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 Usa Magazine, Pond and Garden Lifestyles Magazine, and the Los Angeles Times. Mike has appeared on Extreme Home Makeover, HGTV'southward Landscapers Challenge, and A & Eastward's serial Fix That Yard.

Licensed Landscape Contractor

Expert Answer

Cut through the broken section of baste irrigation line if isn't severed all the style through. Then, install a force per unit area coupling on both ends.
Question

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

You may have to replace 2 pipes instead of one, as well as a corner coupling. Repair couplings (as shown above) tin can make the procedure relatively easy.
Question

Can a backyard mower crusade a broken pipe?

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

How can I turn off my sprinkler organization?

The system itself may take a shutoff valve. If not, trace the supply line dorsum to the nearest shutoff, and utilize that.
Question

What tin can I do if the h2o will not bleed around the leak?

Await longer. It volition eventually drain. Or take advantage of the water while the pigsty is full of water. Assuming you lot found the leak, you have to articulate some room around information technology to deal with it. If the water is taking longer than you similar to drain, dig around and under the problem area with a hand trowel and scoop out mud, sand, whatever the consistency of your soil is. If yous're working in an area you want kept free of dirt, like a sidewalk past a home entrance, you might desire to scoop the removed textile into something else to relieve information technology for refilling the hole after the repair. A beach bucket or quondam towel works.
Question

How do I repair a cracked riser?

Utilise the same process shown higher up for a horizontal line. Note the apply of a repair coupling. That makes the process quick and easy.
Question

Are there dissimilar sizes of PVC for a sprinkler line?

PVC comes in many sizes. The correct size to use depends on the size of the sprinkler organisation. A typical size would exist ¾" or i" in diameter. Inquire for communication from a plumbing-supply, hardware, or dwelling house-improvement store.