How To Repair Inground Sprinkler Line

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A broken sprinkler line can seem similar a difficult and expensive repair, but it's actually pretty elementary to practise. Starting time, detect the leak by looking for escaping h2o or sprinkler heads with picayune to no flow. Then, dig up and expose the damaged pipage then you can remove it. Use a slip coupling to supervene upon the damaged department of piping, fill in the clay around information technology, and you're washed!

Things You Should Know

Turn on the sprinkler to locate the leak. Once you find it, plow 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) section of pipage to remove the leak. Clench the piping ends and insert a sideslip coupling between them to repair the line.

i
Turn on the sprinkler system. In social club to locate the break or leak in the sprinkler system, you need to run water through it. Turn on the sprinkler arrangement to activate the flow of water.^[1]
- Permit the water to run for about two minutes before yous check the lines.
- Exercise 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 and so you tin identify the break or leak more than easily.
2
Listen for the sound of running water. Later yous turn on the sprinkler system, walk through the area where the sprinkler organisation is installed. Listen for running water and walk towards where you hear the sound to locate the leak in your sprinkler line.^[ii]
- You may not be able to detect the leak simply past listening, but information technology can aid you narrow down your search.
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3
See if there'southward water spouting out of a section of the line. If you run into h2o spraying out of the line instead of the sprinkler caput, then there's a crack or leak in the line. In one case you've identified where the leak is, marker the location so you can find it when the water is turned off.^[3]
- If the sprinkler line is exposed enough for yous to see water spraying out of a interruption or crack, check the line for a visible crevice, and use a marker to marker the location of the leak.
4
Check for water bubbling up from the soil. If you lot see a pool of water or water coming from the soil, then at that place's a leak in the sprinkler line buried underneath. Mark the general location of the leak or break and then you tin identify information technology when the h2o is turned off.^[4]
- Place an detail similar a shovel or a stone on the ground near the leak.
five
Wait for a series of sprinkler heads that aren't working properly. If you lot'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, then the line is cleaved and the h2o isn't reaching them.^[5]
- The break or leak in the water line volition be located between the last working sprinkler head and the first nonworking one.
6
Plough off the sprinkler organization subsequently you've found the leak. If yous've plant the signs of a leak and located the region where the line is leaking or cleaved, plough off the water so you can repair the line. Use the shut off valve in the control box to finish the period of water through the organisation.^[6]
- Wait 1-2 minutes to permit the water to finish flowing through the system.
- Be certain to shut the valve completely and then at that place isn't h2o flowing through the line when you brand your repairs.

1
Use a manus trowel to dig up the expanse above the sprinkler line. A shovel tin pause the sprinkler organisation even further. Use a smaller hand trowel when yous dig around the damaged section of the line and make your repairs without dissentious more than of information technology.^[7]
- A larger break in the organisation could hateful a costly repair.
2
Cut a foursquare patch with a shovel over the intermission 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. Brand sure the cuts are consistent then you lot can replace the patch when y'all're done repairing the line.^[8]
- Cut a foursquare or rectangular shape so information technology'due south easier to fit back into identify when y'all're finished.
3
Remove the patch with two–3 inches (five.1–vii.6 cm) of dirt on the roots. If you've cutting a square outline of grass, dig downward enough to remove the roots with enough dirt to keep them intact so they tin regenerate when you replace the patch. Use 2 easily to grip the grass and pull the patch off of the ground.^[ix]
- Cut the roots with the hand trowel if they cling to the basis, just exist certain to get out enough so they tin regrow.
Tip: Information technology can help to accept another person piece longer roots while you lot pull the patch of grass off.
four
Dig carefully around the sprinkler line to betrayal information technology. One time y'all've remove the patch of grass, you volition be left with a clean square of earth above the break or scissure in the sprinkler line. Take your fourth dimension and dig down and around the line to betrayal it.^[10]
- Make the whole wide plenty and then the pipe is exposed for 6 inches (15 cm) on each side.
- Dig about three inches (7.6 cm) below the line so information technology's easier to remove.
- Pile the dirt you remove adjacent to the hole so you lot can supplant it when yous're finished.
5

Clean off the section of exposed pipe with a wet cloth. To avert getting dirt and debris in the sprinkler line when you lot make your repairs, wash off the section of exposed pipe. Use a clean cloth and water to scrub the dirt from it.^[eleven]

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Saw off a four in (10 cm) department of pipe at the leak. You need to remove a large enough section to fit your skid coupling into the pipe. In one case you've exposed the pipe where the leak or intermission is, utilize a hacksaw to remove the department that contains the leak or break. Use smoothen, consistent sawing motions to cutting the pipe then the edge is fifty-fifty.^[12]
- Remove the damaged slice of pipe later on you cut it.
ii
Identify a band clamp on each finish of the pipe. A band clamp is a strap of metal that forms a loop that y'all can tighten. Later you've removed the impairment section of piping, slide a band clench on to each end of the pipe. Don't tighten the clamps yet so you tin can fit your skid coupling into the gap.^[13]
- You lot can notice band clamps at your local hardware shop, department stores, or online.
3
Insert a slip coupling into the pipe. A slip coupling is a plastic pipe that is flexible and allows you to extend it to the length that yous need it to be. Slide the end of the coupling into i cease of the exposed piping. Then, extend the coupling so it fits into the other end of the pipe.^[xiv]
- Bring the damaged section of piping to the hardware store then yous tin can get a skid coupling with a bore that fits into it.
- Utilize a slip coupling with a ane inch (2.v cm) slip.
- You lot can notice a skid coupling at a hardware store or online.
- Extend the coupling every bit far as it will become into the pipe.
four
Tighten both clamps to seal the line. Use the mechanism on the band clamps to spiral them tight so the slip coupling is held firmly in identify. The clamps must be secure in order to forbid any leaks.^[fifteen]
- Utilise a screwdriver to tighten the band clamps.
5
Turn on the sprinkler arrangement and check for a leak. After yous've fabricated your repairs, you need to test information technology before yous cover the line support. Plow on the system and inspect the sideslip coupling that you installed to make sure there isn't any water leaking out.^[sixteen]
- Allow the system to run for v minutes so you tin can be sure the coupling and clamps won't come loose.
6

Fill the hole with dirt and replace the patch of grass. Once yous've repaired the broken sprinkler line, you can use your paw trowel to supervene upon the clay that you removed. Then place the patch dorsum into place and water information technology and then the roots start to grow dorsum into the footing.^[17]

Tip: Make certain you fill the area beneath the repaired pipe then the dirt on top doesn't curve or interruption the pipage over time.

Add New Question

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 full-service landscape design and construction firm in Los Angeles, California. With over thirty years of experience, Mike specializes in sustainable mural 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 Pond Contractor, and Swimming Building certifications. He is one of eight Internationally Certified Pond Builders in the world. Enviroscape LA has won landscape and h2o feature awards from the International Professional person Swimming Contractors Association (IPPCA), National Clan of Swimming Professionals (NAPP), and the California Mural Contractors Association (CLCA). Mike is a past president of the CLCA and currently serves on their local Lath of Directors. Enviroscape LA has been featured in PONDS USA Magazine, Swimming and Garden Lifestyles Magazine, and the Los Angeles Times. Mike has appeared on Farthermost Abode Makeover, HGTV's Landscapers Challenge, and A & Eastward's series Set up That Yard.

Licensed Landscape Contractor

Expert Respond

Focus on figuring out where the leak is. If the nozzle is broken, only unscrew it and attach a new i. If the main body that the nozzle screws into is damaged, remove the entire caput and install a replacement.
Question

How do you fix a cleaved drip irrigation line?

Mike Garcia is a Licensed Mural Contractor and the Founder of Enviroscape LA, a full-service landscape blueprint and construction firm in Los Angeles, California. With over 30 years of experience, Mike specializes in sustainable landscape practices. Mike holds an Ornamental Horticulture caste, 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 ane of eight Internationally Certified Swimming Builders in the world. Enviroscape LA has won landscape and h2o feature awards from the International Professional Swimming Contractors Association (IPPCA), National Clan of Pond Professionals (NAPP), and the California Mural 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 Mag, Swimming and Garden Lifestyles Magazine, and the Los Angeles Times. Mike has appeared on Extreme Home Makeover, HGTV's Landscapers Challenge, and A & E's series Fix That Yard.

Licensed Mural Contractor

Skillful Answer

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

How exercise I supplant a damaged corner of a PVC sprinkler line?

Y'all may accept to replace ii pipes instead of one, besides as a corner coupling. Repair couplings (as shown to a higher place) can brand the procedure relatively easy.
Question

Can a lawn mower cause a broken pipe?

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

How tin can I turn off my sprinkler system?

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

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

Wait longer. Information technology volition eventually drain. Or take advantage of the h2o while the hole is full of h2o. Bold y'all plant the leak, y'all have to clear some room effectually it to deal with it. If the water is taking longer than you like to drain, dig effectually and under the problem area with a hand trowel and scoop out mud, sand, whatever the consistency of your soil is. If y'all're working in an area you want kept free of dirt, similar a sidewalk by a home entrance, yous might want to scoop the removed material into something else to save information technology for refilling the pigsty afterwards the repair. A beach bucket or sometime towel works.
Question

How practice I repair a cracked riser?

Utilise the aforementioned process shown above for a horizontal line. Note the use 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 system. A typical size would be ¾" or ane" in diameter. Enquire for advice from a plumbing-supply, hardware, or habitation-improvement store.