A broken underground sprinkler line can cause water wastage, loss of pressure, and damage to your lawn. Repairing sprinkler line issues promptly is essential to maintaining a healthy irrigation system. The method used to fix a broken line depends on the location and type of damage, such as a cracked pipe or a leaking fitting. Understanding the repair options ensures you can tackle the problem efficiently.
How Do You Fix a Broken Underground Sprinkler Line?
Locate the Damaged Pipe
Finding the damaged section is often the most challenging step when repairing sprinkler line issues. Symptoms of a damaged line may include reduced water pressure in one zone, visible water pooling, or a small geyser emerging from the lawn. Moist soil along the irrigation pipes often indicates the leak’s location. Using a sprinkler system pressure tester can make this step more precise, saving time and effort.
PVC Saddles & Clamps
The PVC saddle is the most common repair kit for connecting standard plumbing pipes. The components in the repair kit hug the line, not the fittings. If the fitting is leaking, you’ll need a hard bridge repair. Some repair kits use PVC saddles, while others use metal clamps and rubber gasket replacement parts to resolve the issue.
Flexible Couplings
Most homes have trees on their property. While they give us glorious shade in the summer heat, their roots can also interfere with irrigation system lines. A tree root can easily puncture a pipe, leading to a broken pipe and a leak.
Since most roots create an upward force on the pipe, the break might be challenging to fix a broken sprinkler using a hard bridge. Therefore, a flexible coupling is ideal in this type of pipe repair. This is the best way to resolve the issue without damaging the tree.
Expanding Couplings
Telescopic coupling is another term for expanding coupling. This is ideal for the replacement of a leaking fitting in a tight spot. For instance, if the fitting is inside a sprinkler valve box, you might use this method.
The fitting has a stationary end you attach to a section of pipe. The movable shaft on the fitting slips into another pipework fitting.
Sometimes, a repair might involve a hard bridge combined with an expandable coupling, but this strategy adds to the repair bill.
Compression Couplings
Many irrigation repair specialists use no-glue pipes and fittings for jobs wherever possible. A PVC compression coupling offers the ideal solution for this case. Also known as a dresser coupling, the compression coupling uses gaskets as a mechanical seal.
Irrigation technicians tighten the nuts on the fitting. They force the rubber O-rings into the empty space between the fitting and the pipe’s outer surface. If there’s a leak, tightening the clamp another half-turn will stop the problem.
PVC Pipe Bridge
The PVC hard bridge is a common fix for leaking sprinkler lines. This method involves building a bridge using hard PVC pipe and fittings.
This method is utilized when:
- The sprinkler line passes over growing roots
- You locate a leak in a small area, that isn’t suitable for the other methods
The amount and type of fittings required depend on the merits of the situation. However, most hard PVC pipe bridges utilize a series of 90-degree fittings and a section of PVC pipe.
Preventative Measures for Sprinkler Line Maintenance
Regular maintenance can reduce the likelihood of sprinkler line damage and extend the life of your system. Inspect the system seasonally for leaks, clogs, or wear and tear on irrigation pipes. Clear debris from sprinkler heads and ensure that water pressure settings are appropriate for the system’s design. Taking these steps minimizes the risk of costly repairs, such as addressing a cracked pipe or replacing damaged fittings. Installing root barriers can also protect the lines from tree root interference.
Learn more about our Omaha sprinkler repair services.
Additional Information: Common Sprinkler System Repairs
Pioneer Underground Lawn Sprinklers | Omaha’s Best Commercial & Residential Sprinkler Systems
Contact Pioneer Underground Lawn Sprinklers to schedule a free estimate on a system install or to find out what you can do to make your existing system more efficient. We welcome commercial and residential clients. And remember, whether you need our services now… or later in the season, Your Healthy Lawn is Our Passion and we are only a phone call away! Call 402-934-7900 to schedule your service.