How To Repair Broken Irrigation Line

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When an irrigation organization leaks, information technology can waste water and cost y'all a lot of money in utilities. If you're comfortable doing some repairs yourself, you can prepare many leaks in the arrangement with a few tools and supplies. Leaks mainly occur in a valve box, a sprinkler head, or a broken hose somewhere under your yard. Outset by locating the leak, then have the necessary steps to repair it. When yous're finished, your irrigation organization should piece of work like new!

1. 1

   Read the low flow indicator on your h2o meter to see if the leak is outside. Look on your home's h2o meter for a small triangular dial in the heart labeled "Depression Flow Indicator." Sentry the triangle to run across if it rotates, which means in that location'southward a h2o leak somewhere inside or outside your home.^[1] Notice the water supply valve for your irrigation system almost the water meter and plough the handle so it's perpendicular to the pipe. Expect at the low menstruum meter on your meter, and if the triangle stops spinning, and so the leak is happening in the irrigation system.^[2]

   Tip: If your low menstruum indicator still rotates after you lot close off the supply to the irrigation organization, and so the leak is somewhere else in your home.

2. 2

   Cheque your irrigation system's valve boxes to see if there's a leak in the valves. Locate the sprinkler valve boxes, which are usually subconscious underneath hard plastic or metal lids in your yard well-nigh the sprinkler heads. Lift the lid of each of your valve boxes and cheque the soil to see if it'south wet. If there'south standing water within one of the valve boxes, and so the leak may be occurring considering debris is trapped in the valve. If the boxes are dry, then the leak may exist located somewhere else in your yard.^[3]

   • The number of valve boxes in your yard depends on how many sprinklers you accept attached to your organisation. Smaller systems may only accept 1-2 valve boxes, but larger systems may have multiple spread throughout the one thousand.
   • If you aren't certain where your valve boxes are in your thousand, call an irrigation professional to inspect your system for you.

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3. iii

   Notation that flooding or inconsistent sprays from sprinklers may be a faulty connection. Rotate the dial on the irrigation organization'southward controller to turn on individual sprinkler zones, and watch how the sprinklers work while they're running. If the sprinkler head has a weak flow or doesn't spray equally efficiently as normal, so you may have an issue with the hose connectedness or a clog in the filter. When you observe a trouble with a sprinkler caput, mark information technology with a stake flag so you're able to locate it while the organization is turned off.^[4]

   • Inconsistent spray could also happen due to a leaking valve or a broken hose.
   • You lot can buy stake flags from your local hardware store.

4. 4

   Watch your yard for pools of continuing water to see if you may have a cleaved hose. ^[5] When yous run your irrigation system, wait between your sprinklers to see if you lot notice any water pooling there. Flooding in a specific area of your yard may mean the hose or pipage underneath the expanse is cleaved and needs to be replaced. Once you lot determine where the h2o is pooling, mark off the area with pale flags so you know where to dig to replace a section of the hose.^[6]

   • Water may not pool in an area if yous live on a slope or if the leak is small.
   • If you're nonetheless unable to locate where the leak is occurring, plow off the h2o supply to your organization and call an irrigation specialist to look for you. They may be able to find the leak and offer repair services for it.

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1. 1

   Turn off the water supply to your irrigation system. Make sure your irrigation system is turned off at the controller so it doesn't plow on while you're working. Look for the shut-off valve for your irrigation system either inside or outside most your water meter, and rotate the handle so it'due south perpendicular to the pipe. Look 2-3 minutes for the water to empty from your irrigation pipes and hoses before continuing so you don't cause any boosted leaks.^[7]

   • E'er keep your irrigation organization'southward water supply off while you make repairs or else water volition constantly run through the pipes and get in difficult or messy to work with.

2. 2

   Unscrew the lid on your main valve to expose the rubber diaphragm. Check the valve box that'due south leaking and locate the circular lid to the solenoid valve that has screws on superlative. Utilise a screwdriver to rotate the screws counterclockwise and set them in a pocket-size container so you lot don't lose them in your chiliad. Pull the lid off of the valve to reveal a circular rubber piece, also known as the diaphragm.^[8]

   • If you can't easily access the lid on the valve due to flooding, then utilise a saucepan or a turkey baster to go some of the water out of the fashion.

   Tip: If your valve doesn't take a lid that hands screws off, you lot may need to unscrew the whole valve system by rotating it counterclockwise.^[9]

3. 3

   Rinse and dry out the rubber diaphragm to remove whatsoever debris within. Carefully pull the rubber diaphragm out of the valve and audit it for any rips or tears. If the diaphragm yet looks like it'due south in good condition, run information technology underneath h2o from your sink or hose to clean off any dirt or debris that's left on it. Use a dry cleaning rag to dry off the diaphragm and scrub any large pieces of droppings that are sticking to information technology.^[10]

   • If the diaphragm is cracked or worn out, and so you can buy a replacement from an irrigation specialist or from about hardware stores.
   • If you had to unscrew the unabridged valve, so it will accept a safe O-ring around the threading that y'all can clean or supersede.
   • Cleaning the diaphragm may also end leaks that occur near the sprinkler heads.

4. 4

   Reassemble the valve to examination the irrigation system again. Place the prophylactic diaphragm dorsum into the valve and check that it has a tight seal around the edge. Put the tiptop lid back onto the valve and reattach the screws that hold it in place. Turn on the water supply for your irrigation organization and spotter the valve box to meet if it even so floods inside. If the box stays dry out, then cleaning the diaphragm fixed the leak.^[11]

   • If in that location is yet a leak that occurs inside the valve box, the valve may exist faulty and yous need to have a professional person supplant information technology.

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1. one

   Turn off the water to your irrigation system. Make sure the irrigation controller is turned off and then it doesn't automatically plough on while you lot're working. Locate the main shut-off valve for your irrigation organization connected to an indoor or outdoor pipe most your h2o meter. Rotate the handle and so it'southward perpendicular to the pipage to ensure that water doesn't menses through the pipes or hoses anymore.^[12]

2. ii

   Clean the sprinkler head filter with h2o to see if information technology's clogged. Grip the meridian of the sprinkler head with a pair of pliers and gently pull information technology up to raise the sprayer. Rotate the spray head counterclockwise to unscrew it from the base and remove the filter. Rinse the filter and sprayer under clean water to remove whatsoever clogs or debris earlier reattaching information technology to the sprinkler organization. Rotate the sprinkler head until the sprayer points at your yard again.^[xiii]

   • While cleaning out the filter won't fix a leak, it volition help forestall them in the future since clogs can cause the water pressure to build and burst a hose connectedness.

3. 3

   Dig up the footing effectually the sprinkler caput that'due south leaking. Start your shovel about 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) away from the sprinkler, and remove the soil and grass around it. Work slowly and carefully then you don't break any hoses or pipes by blow, removing at to the lowest degree half-dozen inches (xv cm) of soil in each direction from the sprinkler. Every bit you start to uncover more of the sprinkler head, use a pocket-sized hand trowel or your easily to motion the clay and mud away to reveal the valve and hose connection on the bottom.^[14]

   • If the ground is moisture or dingy from the leak, try to remove as much of the wet mud as you tin can so the hoses and valves don't get dirty.

   Warning: Contact your utility visitor before you start digging to see if there are any hidden ability or gas lines secret. That style, you don't gamble accidentally rupturing one of them.
   

4. 4

   Replace the bottom valve on the sprinkler if it's cleaved. Bank check the bottom L-shaped valve on the bottom of your sprinkler to see if it has any cracks or breaks. If it does, then rotate it counterclockwise to unscrew information technology from the bottom of the sprinkler caput. Be sure to use a replacement valve that matches the shape and size of the existing valve or else the connectedness won't fit. Screw the new valve clockwise onto the bottom of the sprinkler then you can apply information technology again.^[15]

   • You can buy replacement sprinkler valves from irrigation specialists or from hardware stores.
   • If the valve wasn't broken, and so be sure to rinse it off with clean water so none of the mud or clay gets within the lines.

5. 5

   Wait for cracks or bursts in the supply hose leading to the sprinkler head. If the valve wasn't damaged, check the stop of the hose that attaches directly to the valve. Sometimes, the hose will rupture if the sprinkler gets clogged or if the hose is one-time and damaged. Look for any cracks or broken seams on the end of the hose, and if there are any, then you need to repair the line.^[16]

   • If the hose isn't damaged and the sprinkler was leaking, and so you may need to supersede the entire sprinkler caput since it may be damaged.

6. half-dozen

   Cut off cracked sections of hose with a pipe cutter and wipe it clean. Brand sure you remove the entire department of hose that's cracked or damaged, or else it'south more susceptible to leaking in the time to come. Place the edge of your pipe cutter on the hose and pull the handles together to make a straight cut through it. Only remove every bit much as you need and so you don't demand to attach a new department of hose. Use a cleaning rag to wipe the edges of your cut so no mud or dirt goes through your sprinkler head.^[17]

   • If the entire hose seems old or cracked, then you may demand to dig it up completely to replace it.

7. 7

   Push the sprinkler valve onto the hose and then information technology has a secure fit. Button the stop of the hose you just cut onto the bottom valve of the sprinkler. If the valve has threading, and so rotate it onto the end of the hose. Otherwise, push the hose as far onto the valve as yous're able so it has a secure fit. You practise not need to use any adhesives or piping cement to hold it in place since the flanges will prevent water from escaping.^[xviii]

   • If you aren't able to push the hose onto the valve, dig upwards another ii–3 inches (5.ane–7.6 cm) of the hose and so you're able to maneuver information technology around better.

8. eight

   Fill in the hole so the top of the sprinkler is flush with the basis. Hold the sprinkler upright and then it'south in the position that you want it, and offset filling in dirt effectually it. Printing the dirt tightly around the sprinkler caput and so information technology stays in place and doesn't shift effectually while you're working with it. Keep filling in the hole until the dirt or grass is flush with the top of the sprinkler.^[19]

   • If you removed h2o and mud from the pigsty you lot dug, then fill the hole in with dry soil instead.

9. 9

   Plow on your sprinkler system to run into if it nevertheless leaks. Plow the handle on the h2o supply valve and then information technology's parallel with the pipe to open up it again. Rotate the dial on the irrigation system's controller to the sprinkler you only fixed to make sure information technology works. If information technology's spraying correctly and doesn't have any pooling water, then the sprinkler is fixed.^[20]

   • If the sprinkler however has an inconsistent spray, y'all may need to supercede the sprinkler head entirely.
   • If yous find water flooding or pooling next to sprinkler after fixing the hose, you may accept a problem with one of the valves continued to that sprinkler.

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1. 1

   Shut off the water for the irrigation organization. Make sure the controller for your irrigation arrangement is in the "Off" position or else your sprinklers could start running while yous're working. Find the shut-off valve for your irrigation organization on i of the interior or exterior pipes past your water meter, and rotate the handle so it'southward perpendicular to the piping. Wait 2-iii minutes for the h2o to cycle through the hoses earlier you showtime working.^[21]

   • The hoses may notwithstanding have a niggling residual water in them when y'all remove or repair them.

2. 2

   Dig up the area 12 in (30 cm) around the cleaved hose. Locate the area where you suspect the leak, and kickoff carefully earthworks into the ground with a shovel. Don't utilise a lot of force and then you don't accidentally suspension the hose while you're digging. Dig out 12 inches (30 cm) horizontally from each side of the hose then you have room to work. Expose the broken section of the hose and 6 inches (fifteen cm) of excess on each side.^[22]

   • Contact your local utility companies before y'all starting time digging to find out if there are any buried power or gas lines in your yard that y'all should avoid.
   • If you dig up the hose and you still don't run across any damage, and then the leak may exist draining from a different area of your 1000.
   • Phone call a professional person irrigation service if you can't locate where the leaking hose is in your yard since they may be able to locate it for you lot.

   Tip: Clean out as much mud or water every bit you can with a bucket so the area is dry during your repair.

3. 3

   Remove the broken section of hose with pipe cutters. ^[23] Mensurate at least ii inches (v.1 cm) from each side of the ruptured hose and make a guide line using a marker. Open up your pipe cutters and place the hose betwixt the jaws. Clasp the handles together to brand a straight cut through the hose and remove the cleaved piece.^[24]

   • If the unabridged hose looks cracked or damaged, then y'all may need to supplant it completely.

4. 4

   Cutting a piece of hose that's the same length as the department you just removed. Get a roll of PVC hosing from your local hardware store. Make sure you employ a hose that's the same diameter as the existing 1 so it's able to fit together well. Use the piece of hose you only removed as a guide for cutting your new piece. Concur the old piece of hose up confronting the new piece and brand your cuts with the piping cutters.^[25]

   • Many irrigation lines use ⁷⁄₁₀  in (i.8 cm) thick hoses, but it may vary depending on your system.

5. 5

   Fit a compression coupling onto either side of the new hose department. ^[26] Pinch couplings are pieces of PVC that connect 2 pieces of hose together with a watertight seal. Make sure to use compression couplings that match the size and diameter of your hose, or else they may leak. Slide the couplings halfway onto the ends of the piece of hose so they don't motion or skid around. Go on pushing the couplings on until information technology covers about one–2 inches (ii.five–v.one cm) of the hose's ends.^[27]

   • Y'all can buy compression couplings from your local hardware store.
   • If you accept trouble sliding the coupling onto the hose, wet the edges of the hose with make clean h2o to push button them in easier.

6. six

   Slide the pinch couplings onto the cut ends of the cached hose. Once the compression couplings are on your new piece of hose, so push button the other cease of the coupling onto the hose that'southward buried in the ground. Make sure about i–ii inches (2.v–5.1 cm) of the hose goes into the coupling and so it has a tight connexion. If you need to, wet the ends of the hose to make it easier to push into the couplings.^[28]

   • Yous do non need to use any adhesives or waterproofing material to secure the couplings since they are already watertight.

7. seven

   Turn on your water supply to check if the hose leaks earlier filling in the hole. Open the shut-off valve to your irrigation system and turn on the controller to the area yous're working on. Watch the hose for whatsoever leaks or water spraying out of it to see if the couplings worked. If they do, and then start filling in the hole you dug with fresh, dry soil and pack it downward tightly to hold it in place.^[29]

   • If the couplings do non work, and then you lot may need to dig up and replace the entire hose to fix it.

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Add together New Question

• Question

  How can I tell if my irrigation organisation is leaking?

  

  Mike Garcia is a Licensed Landscape Contractor and the Founder of Enviroscape LA, a total-service landscape pattern and construction firm in Los Angeles, California. With over 30 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 Design, California Naturalist, International Certified Professional Pond Contractor, and Pond Building certifications. He is one of eight Internationally Certified Swimming Builders in the world. Enviroscape LA has won landscape and water characteristic awards from the International Professional Swimming Contractors Association (IPPCA), National Association of Swimming Professionals (NAPP), and the California Mural 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 Mag, and the Los Angeles Times. Mike has appeared on Extreme Abode Makeover, HGTV's Landscapers Challenge, and A & East'south serial Fix That Yard.

  

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  Support wikiHow by unlocking this adept answer.

  The simplest way is to turn on the system and look for pooling h2o. You lot can likewise take a look at your h2o meter to run across if the low-flow detector is spinning. This usually indicates there'southward a leak somewhere.

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• Bank check your irrigation system for damage or leaks at least 2-3 times throughout the twelvemonth so you tin regularly maintain it.

• If you don't experience comfortable excavation upwards irrigation lines or repairing them yourself, call an irrigation specialist and hire them to assist out with the repairs.

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• Always contact your utility visitor before y'all start digging since there may be hidden power lines buried in your yard.

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Things Yous'll Demand

• Stake flags

• Screwdriver
• Garden hose
• Cleaning rag

• Sink or hose
• Shovel
• Pipage cutter

• Shovel
• Piping cutters
• PVC hose
• Compression couplings

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