How To Repair Leaking Lawn Genie 711dlg

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When an irrigation system leaks, information technology can waste h2o and cost yous a lot of money in utilities. If you're comfortable doing some repairs yourself, yous can fix many leaks in the system with a few tools and supplies. Leaks mainly occur in a valve box, a sprinkler head, or a broken hose somewhere under your yard. Get-go by locating the leak, then accept the necessary steps to repair it. When you're finished, your irrigation system should work like new!

i

Read the low flow indicator on your water meter to run across if the leak is outside. Look on your home's h2o meter for a small triangular dial in the center labeled "Depression Menses Indicator." Watch the triangle to encounter if it rotates, which ways there's a water leak somewhere within or outside your home.^[1] Find the h2o supply valve for your irrigation organisation nigh the water meter and turn the handle so it's perpendicular to the pipe. Expect at the depression flow meter on your meter, and if the triangle stops spinning, and then the leak is happening in the irrigation system.^[2]

Tip: If your low flow indicator still rotates subsequently yous shut off the supply to the irrigation organisation, then the leak is somewhere else in your home.
2
Check your irrigation organization's valve boxes to meet if there's a leak in the valves. Locate the sprinkler valve boxes, which are ordinarily subconscious underneath hard plastic or metallic lids in your yard near the sprinkler heads. Lift the lid of each of your valve boxes and bank check the soil to see if it'southward wet. If there's standing water within ane of the valve boxes, then the leak may be occurring because debris is trapped in the valve. If the boxes are dry out, then the leak may be located somewhere else in your k.^[3]
- The number of valve boxes in your yard depends on how many sprinklers you accept attached to your system. Smaller systems may just accept ane-2 valve boxes, but larger systems may have multiple spread throughout the yard.
- If yous aren't sure where your valve boxes are in your yard, telephone call an irrigation professional person to audit your arrangement for you lot.
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Annotation that flooding or inconsistent sprays from sprinklers may be a faulty connection. Rotate the punch on the irrigation organization's controller to plow on individual sprinkler zones, and spotter how the sprinklers work while they're running. If the sprinkler head has a weak menstruum or doesn't spray as efficiently as normal, then you may take an issue with the hose connection or a clog in the filter. When you lot notice a trouble with a sprinkler head, mark information technology with a pale flag and so you're able to locate it while the system is turned off.^[4]
- Inconsistent spray could also happen due to a leaking valve or a cleaved hose.
- You can buy stake flags from your local hardware store.
4
Watch your grand for pools of standing h2o to see if you may have a broken hose. ^[5] When you run your irrigation system, await between your sprinklers to run across if you notice any water pooling in that location. Flooding in a specific surface area of your yard may hateful the hose or piping underneath the area is broken and needs to be replaced. Once you determine where the h2o is pooling, marking off the area with pale flags so y'all know where to dig to supercede a section of the hose.^[6]
- H2o may not pool in an area if you live on a slope or if the leak is small.
- If you're nevertheless unable to locate where the leak is occurring, turn off the water supply to your organisation and phone call an irrigation specialist to expect for you lot. They may be able to find the leak and offer repair services for it.
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1
Turn off the water supply to your irrigation organisation. Make sure your irrigation organisation is turned off at the controller so information technology doesn't turn on while you're working. Look for the close-off valve for your irrigation system either inside or outside about your water meter, and rotate the handle so information technology's perpendicular to the pipage. Wait 2-3 minutes for the water to empty from your irrigation pipes and hoses before continuing so y'all don't crusade any additional leaks.^[7]
- E'er go along your irrigation system's water supply off while you make repairs or else water will constantly run through the pipes and brand it difficult or messy to piece of work with.
2
Unscrew the chapeau on your main valve to expose the rubber diaphragm. Bank check the valve box that'southward leaking and locate the round chapeau to the solenoid valve that has screws on summit. Employ a screwdriver to rotate the screws counterclockwise and ready them in a small container then yous don't lose them in your m. Pull the lid off of the valve to reveal a circular rubber piece, also known every bit the diaphragm.^[8]
- If you can't easily access the lid on the valve due to flooding, and then apply a saucepan or a turkey baster to go some of the h2o out of the way.
Tip: If your valve doesn't accept a chapeau that hands screws off, you may demand to unscrew the whole valve system past rotating information technology counterclockwise.^[nine]
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Rinse and dry the rubber diaphragm to remove any debris inside. Carefully pull the rubber diaphragm out of the valve and inspect it for whatever rips or tears. If the diaphragm notwithstanding looks similar information technology'south in skillful condition, run it underneath water from your sink or hose to clean off whatsoever dirt or droppings that'south left on it. Utilise a dry cleaning rag to dry out off the diaphragm and scrub any large pieces of debris that are sticking to it.^[10]
- If the diaphragm is croaky or worn out, and then you can buy a replacement from an irrigation specialist or from well-nigh hardware stores.
- If you had to unscrew the entire valve, and so it will take a condom O-ring around the threading that y'all tin clean or replace.
- Cleaning the diaphragm may also stop leaks that occur almost the sprinkler heads.
4
Reassemble the valve to test the irrigation organization again. Place the rubber diaphragm back into the valve and bank check that it has a tight seal effectually the edge. Put the top hat back onto the valve and reattach the screws that hold information technology in place. Plough on the h2o supply for your irrigation organization and picket the valve box to see if it nevertheless floods within. If the box stays dry out, and then cleaning the diaphragm fixed the leak.^[11]
- If at that place is still a leak that occurs inside the valve box, the valve may be faulty and you demand to have a professional person replace it.
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1

Turn off the h2o to your irrigation system. Make certain the irrigation controller is turned off and then it doesn't automatically turn on while you're working. Locate the chief close-off valve for your irrigation system continued to an indoor or outdoor pipage virtually your h2o meter. Rotate the handle so it'southward perpendicular to the pipe to ensure that water doesn't period through the pipes or hoses anymore.^[12]
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Clean the sprinkler head filter with h2o to encounter if it's chock-full. Grip the tiptop of the sprinkler head with a pair of pliers and gently pull it up to enhance 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 whatever clogs or debris before reattaching it to the sprinkler organization. Rotate the sprinkler head until the sprayer points at your yard again.^[13]
- While cleaning out the filter won't fix a leak, it will help preclude them in the future since clogs can cause the h2o pressure to build and outburst a hose connection.
3
Dig up the ground around the sprinkler caput that'southward leaking. First your shovel nigh half-dozen–12 inches (xv–thirty cm) away from the sprinkler, and remove the soil and grass around information technology. Work slowly and advisedly so yous don't break any hoses or pipes by accident, removing at least half-dozen inches (fifteen cm) of soil in each direction from the sprinkler. As you start to uncover more than of the sprinkler head, use a small paw trowel or your hands to motility the dirt and mud abroad to reveal the valve and hose connection on the bottom.^[14]
- If the footing is wet or muddy from the leak, try to remove as much of the moisture mud every bit you can and then the hoses and valves don't get dirty.
Warning: Contact your utility visitor before y'all start digging to see if in that location are any subconscious ability or gas lines underground. That way, you don't gamble accidentally rupturing one of them.
4
Replace the lesser valve on the sprinkler if it's cleaved. Check the bottom L-shaped valve on the bottom of your sprinkler to see if information technology has any cracks or breaks. If it does, then rotate it counterclockwise to unscrew information technology from the lesser of the sprinkler head. Be certain to use a replacement valve that matches the shape and size of the existing valve or else the connection won't fit. Screw the new valve clockwise onto the bottom of the sprinkler so you can use it again.^[fifteen]
- You can buy replacement sprinkler valves from irrigation specialists or from hardware stores.
- If the valve wasn't broken, then be sure to rinse it off with make clean water so none of the mud or dirt gets inside the lines.
5
Look for cracks or bursts in the supply hose leading to the sprinkler head. If the valve wasn't damaged, check the end of the hose that attaches straight to the valve. Sometimes, the hose will rupture if the sprinkler gets clogged or if the hose is old and damaged. Look for any cracks or broken seams on the terminate of the hose, and if there are any, and then y'all need to repair the line.^[sixteen]
- If the hose isn't damaged and the sprinkler was leaking, and then you lot may need to supervene upon the entire sprinkler head since it may be damaged.
half-dozen
Cut off cracked sections of hose with a pipe cutter and wipe it make clean. Brand certain you lot remove the entire section of hose that's cracked or damaged, or else it'due south more susceptible to leaking in the futurity. Place the edge of your pipe cutter on the hose and pull the handles together to brand a straight cut through it. Just remove equally much as you need and so yous don't need to adhere a new section of hose. Use a cleaning rag to wipe the edges of your cut and then no mud or clay goes through your sprinkler head.^[17]
- If the entire hose seems erstwhile or croaky, then you may need to dig it upwards completely to supervene upon it.
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Push the sprinkler valve onto the hose then it has a secure fit. Push the end of the hose you just cut onto the lesser valve of the sprinkler. If the valve has threading, then rotate it onto the end of the hose. Otherwise, push the hose as far onto the valve as y'all're able and then it has a secure fit. You lot do non need to use any adhesives or pipe cement to concur it in place since the flanges will prevent h2o from escaping.^[18]
- If you aren't able to button the hose onto the valve, dig upward another 2–three inches (5.1–vii.6 cm) of the hose so you're able to maneuver it effectually better.
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Fill in the hole so the elevation of the sprinkler is flush with the ground. Concur the sprinkler upright so it's in the position that yous want it, and kickoff filling in dirt around it. Press the dirt tightly effectually the sprinkler caput so it stays in place and doesn't shift around while you're working with it. Go on filling in the hole until the dirt or grass is flush with the peak of the sprinkler.^[19]
- If you removed water and mud from the hole you dug, then fill the hole in with dry out soil instead.
9
Turn on your sprinkler arrangement to see if it still leaks. Turn the handle on the water supply valve and so it's parallel with the pipe to open it once again. Rotate the dial on the irrigation arrangement's controller to the sprinkler you lot just fixed to make certain information technology works. If it's spraying correctly and doesn't accept whatsoever pooling water, then the sprinkler is fixed.^[20]
- If the sprinkler still has an inconsistent spray, you may need to supersede the sprinkler caput entirely.
- If you notice h2o flooding or pooling next to sprinkler after fixing the hose, you lot may take a problem with ane of the valves continued to that sprinkler.
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1
Shut off the water for the irrigation system. Brand certain the controller for your irrigation system is in the "Off" position or else your sprinklers could start running while y'all're working. Find the shut-off valve for your irrigation organisation on one of the interior or outside pipes by your water meter, and rotate the handle so it's perpendicular to the pipe. Wait two-3 minutes for the water to cycle through the hoses before you start working.^[21]
- The hoses may still take a little residual water in them when yous remove or repair them.
2
Dig upward the expanse 12 in (30 cm) around the broken hose. Locate the surface area where you suspect the leak, and start carefully digging into the ground with a shovel. Don't use a lot of force so you don't accidentally intermission the hose while you're earthworks. Dig out 12 inches (xxx cm) horizontally from each side of the hose so you accept room to work. Betrayal the broken section of the hose and 6 inches (fifteen cm) of backlog on each side.^[22]
- Contact your local utility companies earlier yous outset digging to discover out if there are any buried ability or gas lines in your yard that you lot should avoid.
- If you dig up the hose and you however don't meet whatsoever impairment, then the leak may exist draining from a different area of your one thousand.
- Telephone call a professional irrigation service if y'all can't locate where the leaking hose is in your chiliad since they may be able to locate it for yous.
Tip: Make clean out equally much mud or h2o as you can with a bucket so the area is dry during your repair.
3
Remove the broken department of hose with pipe cutters. ^[23] Measure at least 2 inches (5.ane cm) from each side of the ruptured hose and make a guide line using a marker. Open your pipe cutters and place the hose betwixt the jaws. Squeeze the handles together to make a straight cut through the hose and remove the broken slice.^[24]
- If the entire hose looks croaky or damaged, then y'all may demand to replace information technology completely.
4
Cutting a piece of hose that's the same length every bit the section y'all just removed. Get a roll of PVC hosing from your local hardware shop. Make sure you lot apply a hose that'southward the same diameter as the existing one and so information technology's able to fit together well. Apply the piece of hose yous simply removed as a guide for cutting your new slice. Hold the old piece of hose up against the new slice and brand your cuts with the pipe cutters.^[25]
- Many irrigation lines utilize ⁷⁄_x in (ane.8 cm) thick hoses, but information technology may vary depending on your organisation.
5
Fit a compression coupling onto either side of the new hose section. ^[26] Compression couplings are pieces of PVC that connect 2 pieces of hose together with a watertight seal. Make sure to use compression couplings that friction match the size and bore of your hose, or else they may leak. Slide the couplings halfway onto the ends of the piece of hose so they don't move or sideslip around. Keep pushing the couplings on until it covers virtually 1–2 inches (two.v–5.ane cm) of the hose's ends.^[27]
- Yous can buy pinch couplings from your local hardware shop.
- If you have trouble sliding the coupling onto the hose, wet the edges of the hose with clean water to push them in easier.
6
Slide the compression couplings onto the cut ends of the buried hose. Once the compression couplings are on your new piece of hose, so push the other end of the coupling onto the hose that'due south buried in the ground. Brand sure about one–two inches (2.5–5.ane cm) of the hose goes into the coupling so it has a tight connectedness. If you demand to, wet the ends of the hose to brand information technology easier to push into the couplings.^[28]
- You exercise non demand to employ any adhesives or waterproofing material to secure the couplings since they are already watertight.
7
Turn on your water supply to check if the hose leaks earlier filling in the hole. Open up the close-off valve to your irrigation system and plow on the controller to the area you're working on. Watch the hose for whatever leaks or water spraying out of it to run across if the couplings worked. If they practice, and so start filling in the hole yous dug with fresh, dry soil and pack it down tightly to concord it in identify.^[29]
- If the couplings do not work, then you may demand to dig up and replace the entire hose to fix information technology.
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How can I tell if my irrigation organization is leaking?

Mike Garcia is a Licensed Landscape Contractor and the Founder of Enviroscape LA, a total-service mural design and construction firm in Los Angeles, California. With over 30 years of experience, Mike specializes in sustainable mural practices. Mike holds an Ornamental Horticulture caste, C-27 Mural Contractor and D-49 Tree Service Contractor licenses, and Permaculture Blueprint, California Naturalist, International Certified Professional Swimming Contractor, and Pond Building certifications. He is one of eight Internationally Certified Pond Builders in the world. Enviroscape LA has won landscape and water characteristic awards from the International Professional Swimming Contractors Association (IPPCA), National Association of Pond Professionals (NAPP), and the California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA). Mike is a past 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 Magazine, and the Los Angeles Times. Mike has appeared on Farthermost Home Makeover, HGTV'southward Landscapers Challenge, and A & E'south series Fix That Grand.

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The simplest fashion is to plow on the system and expect for pooling water. You can likewise take a look at your h2o meter to see if the low-menstruation detector is spinning. This usually indicates there'due south a leak somewhere.

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Check your irrigation system for damage or leaks at least 2-3 times throughout the year so yous tin can regularly maintain information technology.
If you don't feel comfortable digging upwardly irrigation lines or repairing them yourself, call an irrigation specialist and hire them to help out with the repairs.

E'er contact your utility company before you start digging since there may exist subconscious ability lines buried in your m.

Things You'll Demand

Stake flags

Screwdriver
Garden hose
Cleaning rag

Sink or hose
Shovel
Pipe cutter

Shovel
Pipe cutters
PVC hose
Compression couplings

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