How to Repair a Leaking Lawn Sprinkler Head
In the summer months, it can be common for a lawn sprinkler to begin leaking for a great number of reasons. However, you can repair a leak in your lawn sprinkler yourself, and its real easy with just a few simple steps. Here are some tips on how to resolve leaks in pop up sprinkler heads, the most common in many people's homes throughout the Greater Toronto Area.
First Step: Inspect the Sprinkler
The first thing to do when fixing your sprinkler is to determine where the leak is occurring. Turn your sprinkler on, and try observing where the water is leaking from. Leaks in different areas can be caused by a large amount of reasons. Water can be leaking from the top of the head or below the head itself. Water can escape out of sprinkler or from below the ground.
Second Step: Check the Head of the Sprinkler
When water is leaking off the head of a sprinkler it could be because the sprinkler is loose, clogged or damaged. Try using a flat head screwdriver, pry the sprinkler head up. After you have done this, hold the shaft with one hand and use the other hand to see if the sprinkler head is on tight.
For an easier method of checking your sprinkler head, remove it. Use a shovel to dig up the sprinkler head and twist the cap off the top of the sprinkler body. The cap of the sprinkler head keeps the water from leaking out of the body. Inspect eh seal at the bottom of the cap for leaking. Remove the sprinkler head and turn the shaft upside down and shake it. This could potentially dislodge the screen or filter inside. Now, inspect the filter for any debris. If there is debris, flush the filter with water to clean it out. When done, inspect the sprinkler head that you had just removed. If there is any further debris lodged inside the spray area, remove it. You can also check the bottom of the sprinkler housing for damage.
Third Step: Check the Riser and Filling
If you have inspected the sprinkler and noticed water was visible below the sprinkler body, this could indicate that there is a leak at the riser or fitting of the sprinkler. Use a shovel to dig all the way down to the fitting of the sprinkler. Turn on the water and see if there are any leaks appearing at the fitting. If they do appear, you need to replace the fitting. However, if water leaks at the part where the riser connects to the fitting, remove the riser. Inspect the threads for damage and if they look OK, re-attach it to the fitting. Turn the water back on and if the leak keeps happening, wrap Teflon Tape around the threads 2-3 times and it should stop leaking.
First Step: Inspect the Sprinkler
The first thing to do when fixing your sprinkler is to determine where the leak is occurring. Turn your sprinkler on, and try observing where the water is leaking from. Leaks in different areas can be caused by a large amount of reasons. Water can be leaking from the top of the head or below the head itself. Water can escape out of sprinkler or from below the ground.
Second Step: Check the Head of the Sprinkler
When water is leaking off the head of a sprinkler it could be because the sprinkler is loose, clogged or damaged. Try using a flat head screwdriver, pry the sprinkler head up. After you have done this, hold the shaft with one hand and use the other hand to see if the sprinkler head is on tight.
For an easier method of checking your sprinkler head, remove it. Use a shovel to dig up the sprinkler head and twist the cap off the top of the sprinkler body. The cap of the sprinkler head keeps the water from leaking out of the body. Inspect eh seal at the bottom of the cap for leaking. Remove the sprinkler head and turn the shaft upside down and shake it. This could potentially dislodge the screen or filter inside. Now, inspect the filter for any debris. If there is debris, flush the filter with water to clean it out. When done, inspect the sprinkler head that you had just removed. If there is any further debris lodged inside the spray area, remove it. You can also check the bottom of the sprinkler housing for damage.
Third Step: Check the Riser and Filling
If you have inspected the sprinkler and noticed water was visible below the sprinkler body, this could indicate that there is a leak at the riser or fitting of the sprinkler. Use a shovel to dig all the way down to the fitting of the sprinkler. Turn on the water and see if there are any leaks appearing at the fitting. If they do appear, you need to replace the fitting. However, if water leaks at the part where the riser connects to the fitting, remove the riser. Inspect the threads for damage and if they look OK, re-attach it to the fitting. Turn the water back on and if the leak keeps happening, wrap Teflon Tape around the threads 2-3 times and it should stop leaking.
