Changing a sprinkler head
If you already have an existing landscape irrigation system then you already know that there will be routine maintenance to perform such as changing a sprinkler head, adjusting heads, flushing out lines, and changing nozzles. Most of these tasks are fairly simple and you can probably do them yourself to save a ton of money.
A thing I commonly tell people who ask about how to change a sprinkler head is "four turns left and four turns right." What I mean by this is that it takes approximately four turns left or counter-clockwise to remove the head and about four turns right or clockwise to tighten the new one back on.
Sounds simple enough, right? Well in reality it is, but there are a few things that you need to be aware of if you are going to be doing this yourself. First of all, you have to be very careful not to get any dirt in the lines when doing this. It is very common to have water draining out of the fitting as you are changing it and this can create a problem if you are not prepared.
What you need to do is dig a small circle shaped hole around the head and dig out a few inches underneath the head by hand or with a small garden shovel. This will give some room for the water to drain out without flooding in dirt back into the sprinkler line. When changing a sprinkler head make sure to have the new head right by your side when removing the old head. Do this process as quickly, but carefully as possible.
If you do happen to get dirt in the line, then you will need to flush the head out. Most spray heads have a flush cap on them. What you need to do is turn on the system and flush the dirt out before installing the nozzle. If you think that you got a lot of dirt in the system, then it will probably travel down the line and clog up other heads or nozzles. If this happens you will need to flush and/or clean and replace those heads and nozzles.
Changing a sprinkler head is not rocket science, but it does require a little bit of patients. If you think you can tackle this project yourself, then go ahead and do it! If you have any doubts, then call a professional. If you like my tips and articles make sure to subscribe to my email series called "7 Lawn Sprinkler Efficiency Tips". You can find subscribe information at the bottom of this page. Thanks!
Scott
http://www.autolawnsprinklers.com
A thing I commonly tell people who ask about how to change a sprinkler head is "four turns left and four turns right." What I mean by this is that it takes approximately four turns left or counter-clockwise to remove the head and about four turns right or clockwise to tighten the new one back on.
Sounds simple enough, right? Well in reality it is, but there are a few things that you need to be aware of if you are going to be doing this yourself. First of all, you have to be very careful not to get any dirt in the lines when doing this. It is very common to have water draining out of the fitting as you are changing it and this can create a problem if you are not prepared.
What you need to do is dig a small circle shaped hole around the head and dig out a few inches underneath the head by hand or with a small garden shovel. This will give some room for the water to drain out without flooding in dirt back into the sprinkler line. When changing a sprinkler head make sure to have the new head right by your side when removing the old head. Do this process as quickly, but carefully as possible.
If you do happen to get dirt in the line, then you will need to flush the head out. Most spray heads have a flush cap on them. What you need to do is turn on the system and flush the dirt out before installing the nozzle. If you think that you got a lot of dirt in the system, then it will probably travel down the line and clog up other heads or nozzles. If this happens you will need to flush and/or clean and replace those heads and nozzles.
Changing a sprinkler head is not rocket science, but it does require a little bit of patients. If you think you can tackle this project yourself, then go ahead and do it! If you have any doubts, then call a professional. If you like my tips and articles make sure to subscribe to my email series called "7 Lawn Sprinkler Efficiency Tips". You can find subscribe information at the bottom of this page. Thanks!
Scott
http://www.autolawnsprinklers.com
posted by Irrigationman at
3:27 PM
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