How To Adjust And Repair Lawn Sprinkler Heads

You should test and adjust your sprinkler heads in the spring to ensure they are performing at their peak. If your sprinkler head isn’t up to the task, it can waste water and cause dry patches on your lawn. 

You can quickly repair a failed sprinkler head and get it back to normal in minutes. 

While we can’t promise you’ll never see locusts, we can show you how to adjust and repair your lawn sprinkler to keep your lawn thriving. 

In no time at all, your garden will look fresh and green like spring. 

Follow the instructions in this article to adjust and repair your lawn sprinklers.

Why Adjust Sprinkler Heads? 

The watering needs of your lawn are not uniform. For one thing, an area of ​​your garden that gets direct sunlight will need more water than a shaded area. 

Second, some parts of the garden may not drain as well as others and require less water. That’s why it’s necessary to adjust your sprinkler heads to ensure they’re distributing the right amount of water to all the different areas of your lawn.

You may also need to periodically adjust the head as the weather changes to ensure the water spray pattern is properly covering your lawn.

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How To Repair A Sprinkler Head 

As pop-up sprinkler systems age, it is possible for heads to chip, break, or become stuck in the up position, resulting in dead, swampy grass and disproportionate public services. 

For one of these problems, the simplest solution is to replace the worn head with a  new one. 

Dig up 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 inches) of grass around the sprinkler head, enough to expose the fitting, and unscrew the faulty head. Then screw on the new head and turn on the water to the sprinklers giving them a quick test. 

Access to Sprinkler Assembly Cut a 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 inch) circle in the lawn around the failed sprinkler head. Take a serrated knife or trowel and saw a wide circle around the exposed sprinkler head. If you want to score the grass for easier removal later,  only cut off 2-3 inches deep.

Be careful not to cut too far or you may accidentally cut the pipe leading to the inlet of your sprinkler system. If the ground around your sprinkler is particularly loose material such as gravel or mulch, skip the marking and go straight to digging the ground. 

Use a hand trowel to remove intact grass from around the sprinkler head. Pick up the grass in as few pieces as possible. Once you solve it, set it aside somewhere nearby. 

This way you can later replace the part after changing the sprinkler head. Don’t worry if you damage the grass while trying to lift it. It’s a patch small enough for the grass to grow back fairly quickly. 

Dig 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 inches) of soil around the sprinkler head. Now that the grass is out of the way, use your trowel or shovel to scoop up the dirt on the sides of the hole.

Continue digging until you can see the thin metal supply pipe that connects the sprinkler head to the water main. Do it again Quickly check the power cord for damage. 

If you see a leak or rupture, the problem may be with the water line rather than the sprinkler head. In this case, you need to hire a plumber to come out. Come and have a look around.

You must adjust pop-up sprinkler heads while the sprinkler is running. Use a flathead screwdriver to turn the adjustment screw on top of the nozzle. 

To increase the width of the spray pattern, turn the screw counterclockwise. To decrease the width of the spray pattern, turn the screw clockwise.

How To Adjust The Sprinkler Spray Pattern

If it’s been a while since you’ve done anything with your sprinkler system you can easily Turn on the system to perform a sprinkler head check with the tips in this article. Don’t worry, it’s not tiring.

Note the distribution of the water and the amount of water. Also, look for areas where the spray pattern is not working properly, is watering unevenly, or is not watering at all. 

There are many types of sprinklers and each has different patterns or uses. The most common types are stationary, rotary, pop-up, and pulsating sprinklers. 

You will need a flathead screwdriver and possibly a few other tools to adjust the heads.

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Adjusting Fixed Sprinklers 

Locate the spray radius adjustment screw on top of the nozzle. You may need to adjust the water jet towards your lawn. Turn the screw clockwise to decrease the water pressure in the sprinkler head when too much water comes out. 

Adjusting Rotor Sprinkler Heads

You may need to adjust both the radius and the spray arc. Rotor sprinkler heads are held in place with a set screw. Instructions on how to do this vary by manufacturer, so you will need to refer to your manufacturer’s specific instructions for adjustments. 

To adjust the pulsating sprinkler heads Adjust the rate of water output by pressing the tabs on the nozzle. Turn on the sprinklers to make sure they work. Set the spray distance on each of the heads, taking into account sidewalks and driveways. 

Rotary sprinklers can do a full rotation, so adjust the amount of rotation.

How To Clean Dirt And Adjust Spray Nozzles 

If your spray head shows no signs of damage, simply removing any dirt that has built up over time can fix the problem. To clean the filter, Lift the part of the spray head that has the filter in it and hold it in a vise. Unscrew the tip and lift the filter.

Wipe up the residue with a towel. Flush the line for a few seconds before reassembling the head. After cleaning, reinsert the filter and screw on the cap. 

Check the direction of the spray head, then loosen the vise. Turn on the system to check if the spray direction is correct.

It only takes a few minutes to get rid of the dirt.

How To Replace A Broken Sprinkler 

The most common sprinkler problem is damage. Before you buy a new sprinkler, make sure you have the right one. 

You have to have the right sprinkler for the right place and the right accessories. Install a stationary sprinkler and a rotating sprinkler in the same area.

A stationary sprinkler takes 20 minutes to cover an area, while a rotator takes 75 minutes. You cannot place them in the same sprinkler zone.

Before purchasing sprinkler parts, find out the type of sprinkler  you need, The brand (e.g. Rain Bird, Orbit, Hunter, Toro, etc.), and the model

Rotor head sprinklers come in a variety of rotation patterns. Some make a full circle, others only half a circle. It is important to replace a broken rotor head with one that rotates in the correct direction. 

You can order replacement parts online or at a local hardware store.

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Repairing A Cracked Sprinkler Riser 

Another problem with sprinkler heads is a cracked riser. If it’s broken, you can remove the head from the hole without unscrewing it. It’s an easy process to fix using a spray riser removal tool available at a hardware store and a new riser part. 

Remove the sprinkler head from the hole. Use the Sprinkler Riser Removal Tool to remove the broken riser portion from the hole. Push to catch the threads and turn counterclockwise until fully unscrewed. 

Pull the broken riser piece out of the hole. and from the tool. Repeat with the broken piece in the bottom of the sprinkler head.

Install the new riser by screwing it clockwise into the bottom of the sprinkler head. Put the head back into the hole, but don’t tighten it yet. 

Take off the top cover and take out the inside. Turn on the water for a few seconds to flush the line, then put the interior and cap back on. Now you can screw the sprinkler head into the water pipe.

How To Install New Sprinklers 

Once you have your new sprinkler and the right tools to install it, you’re good to go. 

Dig out a 1-2 inch ring around the sprinkler, being careful not to hit the waterline. Remove dirt and grass and unscrew the sprinkler head counterclockwise. 

Thread the new head-on by threading firmly, but not tightening, onto the stem. Fill in the original dirt and replace the turf around the head. Attach the nozzle to the new head by lifting the cap and screwing it onto the stem.

Run the zone to ensure it is working properly. If there is no water pressure, you may have chosen the wrong sprinkler head. 

In most cases, private lawn care contractors do not have a contract that details such things.

But many reputable lawn care companies will agree to cover the cost if they believe the damage was caused by you. 

If you hire a  lawn maintenance or landscaping company, let them know you have a sprinkler system and where the sprinklers are located. localized. 

How Your Sprinkler Irrigation System Works 

It can be helpful to understand how your sprinkler irrigation system works

Most systems consist of A water supply line connected to the main water source, A ground-level valve box divided into different underground irrigation zones, and Zone valves that control individual irrigation zones. 

Water zones divide parts of your garden. For example, a home may have multiple areas in the front yard for lawns and flower beds, and additional areas in the back and side gardens. 

When a zone valve is open, water flows through it. underground pipes and irrigation heads in this area until the electronic control shuts them off. The most common problems people encounter with their sprinkler system are Sprinkler zones will not turn on, Leaking zone valves, Low water pressure sprinklers, and Individual sprinklers do not work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still, need more answers? Explore the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) here.