Changing a Sprinkler Head
There will be routine maintenance that must be performed on your sprinkler system in order to keep it running up to par. Just like an automobile requires maintenance, so does your irrigation system. This could be as simple as making minor adjustments and unclogging nozzles to replacing or changing a sprinkler head.
Replacing a sprinkler head is usually quite easy. Just remember '4 turns left and 4 turns right.' 4 turns left will remove the head from the threaded fitting of which it is attached to. 4 turn right will tighten the new sprinkler head to the threaded fitting.
One thing you have to be careful of is to not get dirt in the system when replacing the head. You can avoid this by digging out around the sprinkler head and clearing a circular spot around the head. Another method is to slightly wiggle the head and pack the dirt in around the head so loose dirt won't fall in the exposed or open fitting.
It's kind of like a game of 'Operation' if you remember that game when you were a kid. You have to careful remove and replace parts without touching the sides. Remember that if you touched the sides a loud annoying buzz would sound and a red light would light up! Well in irrigation if you touch the sides while replacing dirt will fall into the system and then you'll have to flush out the line.
The sprinkler heads have either a 1/2" or 3/4" female threaded spot. Spray heads (the heads that pop up and don't move) usually have the 1/2" opening and rotor heads (the ones that pop up and rotate) normally have the 3/4" opening. The male threaded fitting coming from the PVC pipe that the sprinkler head attaches to does not require Teflon tape or paste. Actually most brands of heads specifically say 'use no pipe dope' which means do not put any Teflon paste on the threads because they can clog up the heads.
Changing a sprinkler head is probably the easiest maintenance task of repairing a lawn irrigation system. If you have a broken sprinkler head the chances are you can replace it yourself as long as you can bend up & down and don't mind getting a little dirty. I understand that the mechanics of it are not too difficult but it is the physical part that many people can not or do not want to do. That's why I'm in business.
Scott
http://www.autolawnsprinklers.com
Replacing a sprinkler head is usually quite easy. Just remember '4 turns left and 4 turns right.' 4 turns left will remove the head from the threaded fitting of which it is attached to. 4 turn right will tighten the new sprinkler head to the threaded fitting.
One thing you have to be careful of is to not get dirt in the system when replacing the head. You can avoid this by digging out around the sprinkler head and clearing a circular spot around the head. Another method is to slightly wiggle the head and pack the dirt in around the head so loose dirt won't fall in the exposed or open fitting.
It's kind of like a game of 'Operation' if you remember that game when you were a kid. You have to careful remove and replace parts without touching the sides. Remember that if you touched the sides a loud annoying buzz would sound and a red light would light up! Well in irrigation if you touch the sides while replacing dirt will fall into the system and then you'll have to flush out the line.
The sprinkler heads have either a 1/2" or 3/4" female threaded spot. Spray heads (the heads that pop up and don't move) usually have the 1/2" opening and rotor heads (the ones that pop up and rotate) normally have the 3/4" opening. The male threaded fitting coming from the PVC pipe that the sprinkler head attaches to does not require Teflon tape or paste. Actually most brands of heads specifically say 'use no pipe dope' which means do not put any Teflon paste on the threads because they can clog up the heads.
Changing a sprinkler head is probably the easiest maintenance task of repairing a lawn irrigation system. If you have a broken sprinkler head the chances are you can replace it yourself as long as you can bend up & down and don't mind getting a little dirty. I understand that the mechanics of it are not too difficult but it is the physical part that many people can not or do not want to do. That's why I'm in business.
Scott
http://www.autolawnsprinklers.com
posted by Irrigationman at
9:19 AM
<< Home