Skip to main content

Troubleshoot lawn and garden irrigation system problems with their repairing(DIY) in USA

Using ordinary overground irrigation system and methods don't create serious problems in lawns and gardens. In the case of Sprinklers and subsurface irrigation systems, though systems are automatic some major problems can create concerns. 

In that scenario, underground subsurface irrigation system maintenance is very difficult and the same with the sprinklers system. 

Troubleshoot lawn and garden irrigation system problems 

Don't worry, I'm here to for your help. Even if you know some basic methods of PVC fitting and even very small experience with plumbing before, you can improve the concerns and maintain the irrigation systems yourself. 

Irrigation system problems and solutions in lawns and gardens

General problems in lawn/garden irrigation 

I'm going to mention all the possible problems that can appear in both the Sprinkler system and subsurface irrigation system as follows-

Sprinklers system problems

  • Sprinklers may get damaged because of walking or collision with an aeration machine or mowing machine, or any other heavy lawn or garden tool.
  • Sometimes accidentally and sometimes with time, the entire sprinkler system control valve may get damaged or permanently get broken. 
  • Heavy aeration machines may damage the lawn's underground sprinkler pipelines. This is a very serious problem in lawns and so its maintenance. 
  • It may also happen that the entire lawn or garden sprinkler irrigation system may need proper maintenance because of its age or some other possible reasons. 

Subsurface irrigation system problems

  • Subsurface irrigation systems are very sensitive in lawns. Aeration tools and machines may open some cuts in the PVC pipes at the time of aeration. 
  • Subsurface irrigation systems' drippers may get damaged or need maintenance because of moss or algae in them. Sometimes, stone particles block the drippers.
  • The subsurface irrigation control valve may get damaged with time because of the controlled pressure of water regularly. 
  • Once in a couple of years, it will be a scenario in which you need to improve or maintain the entire subsurface irrigation system. 

How to know if my underground lawn irrigation pipeline is damaged?

  • In lawns, it is easy to figure out the signs of broken underground pipelines. The following points are helpful to confirm a lawn irrigation pipe damage underground-
  • If you see a particular section of lawn is circularly greener(more than 50%) or moist comparatively others. 
  • If water is leaking from the edges of the lawn or the drainage lines you made earlier, then it may be a sign of water leakage. 
  • If moss is appearing in a particular section with algae, and moisture is more than 50% then you can confirm underground pipeline damage. 

Solutions to various damaged irrigation problems

The best solution for various lawn and garden irrigation problems is maintenance and repair of the damaged sections instead of replacing the entire system and re-install it. 

The solutions are plumbing related so you need some requirements to improve and repair the damaged irrigation systems-

  • Plumbing wrenches 
  • PVC pipes with the same diameter you installed in the system
  • PVC socketsPVC elbows
  • New sprinklers
  • New drippers
  • New valves 
  • PVC glue
  • Pipe blocker
  • PVC cutter
  • Spade
  • Hoe 

With the help of the above tools, you can solve and repair more than 90% of lawn irrigation system problems and these are basic plumbing tools. 

Now, let's go further and look at the repair guide for the sprinkler irrigation system and subsurface irrigation. 

Maintenance and repair guide for damaged irrigation systems

Although maintenance is not that much required, most of the time, you do repairing of the irrigation systems. Now, let's repair your systems one by one-

Sprinkler irrigation repairing

If the underground pipeline is broken

Step 1- Figure out the broken area as I suggested you find and mark the area. 

Step 2- Use a spade and hoe to dig slightly more till the pipeline appears. 

Step 3- Switch off the main control valve. 

Step 4- Cut the leaking portion with the help of a cutter and let the remained water flow or you can block it with pipe blockers at both ends. 

Step 5- Now, take the same diameter socket to bind them.

Step 6- Wash the edges and apply PVC glue at both ends. Connect the socket with them. 

Step 7- If the cut or damage is too big then use double sockets to add a new piece of pipe. 

If sprinklers are broken 

Step 1- Confirm that your sprinklers are damaged or broken if they are leaking extra water out from the sprinklers. If Sprinklers are not moving more than an acute angle then there may be some problems or particles are stuck in that. In that case, you need to repair or replace them. 

Step 2- Switch off the control valve. 

Step 3- Dig at the same level of sprinkler pipes near the sprinkler vertex. 

Step 4- Separate the sprinkler head from the pipes. 

Step 5- Check the damage by connecting it with a new source. If some particles are stuck in it then take it to professional plumbers. If it is broken then replace it. 

Step 6- Fix it with the main pipeline as you did before. Cover pipes with the soil and fill the dig. 

If the control valve is damaged

Step 1- If the control valve is damaged then you don't have many options to control it. 

Step 2- In such cases, you need to empty the tank or temporarily disconnect the source with the pipeline. If it is not possible then use pipe blockers immediately after removing the valves. 

Step 3- Bring a new control valve of good material and stronger. 

Step 4- Fix it at both ends after removing the blocking plugs at both ends of the pipes. 

Step 5- Fix it with PVC glue and check the control. 

Subsurface drip irrigation repairing

If the underground pipeline and control valve is broken

In such cases, you should follow the same process as I suggested to do with the sprinkler irrigation system earlier. 

If drippers are damaged

Step 1- To check drippers, you need to block them with your fingertips. With some pressure, they flush the blocking particles. But if they don't do it, you need to replace them. 

Step 2- Switch off all the primary and secondary control valves. 

Step 3- Pull out all the damaged drippers. 

Step 4- Replace them with new ones. They are easier to replace as they are small in size. 

Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Clusia Hedge trimming method and guide for beginners in USA

Clusia hedges are evergreen shrubs that improve the atmosphere of your landscape and lawns. This hedge looks shiny green and needs very little maintenance throughout the year. But letting Clusia hedges grow without trimming and pruning is not helpful to avoid diseases, overgrowth, unnecessary plant energy use, and imbalance of the shrub. Trimming provides the plant with a better look, grooms it well, and helps prevent diseases and yellow leaves. Pruning in the right season is important; otherwise, you may face different difficulties, just like when maintaining Barberry bushes later. Here, I want to discuss the trimming process of Clusia hedges step by step and the right time to start trimming. Clusia Hedge Trimming Clusia hedges are very good for landscape purposes, and I can say that because I have several in my lawn. I'll give you some of my tips to avoid any issues with shrubs during the post-trimming period. Let's start with Clusia hedges' features, and then we'll m...
Read more

Center pivot sprinkler system cost per-acre, 10-acres, 40-acres cost, parts, and maintenance

Precision irrigation is a very helpful way to save water and increase production. In lack of water conditions precision irrigation is a very effective and futuristic method.  Center pivot irrigation follows the precision irrigation principle. We can save up to 40% of water waste and can increase 15 to 20% production through the Center pivot irrigation system. This system is suitable for crops like maize, soybean , sugarcane , vegetable crops, etc.  Although its installation cost and maintenance cost is high but still less than drip irrigation and it's worth it in bigger crop areas.  Center pivot sprinkler irrigation system cost  Flowing water irrigation is a very irresponsible method these days when we are facing irrigation water-related issues. Center pivot systems use sprinklers to irrigate fixed sections.  This system covers a circular field and irrigates through sprinklers. These sprinklers can be adjusted and controlled precisely according to crop water ne...
Read more

Bermuda grass Vs Centipede grass identification and turf comparison in USA

Bermuda(Cynodon dactylon) and Centipede(Eremochloa ophiuroides) both lawn turfs are almost the same climate lawn grasses. But before choosing one of them, you need to understand their performance, maintenance, and other aspects.  Although it is very common that people to choose Bermuda grass mostly, after this comparison, you will start to reconsider Bermuda grass and Centipede grass.  Although most people go with the trend I will suggest you go according to your need.  Bermuda grass vs Centipede grass in the USA We can compare two lawn turfs by discussing various aspects like their identification, traffic handling capacity, climate conditions, growth rate, fertilization required, maintenance, etc. If two turfs are almost similar in these comparison points, then you can go with either.  If turfs are very different from each other in the same points then you should choose low maintenance and high quality and more suitable turf according to your need.  Turf-Identi...
Read more

Lawn Doctor Vs Weedman comparison and prices in USA

With so many local and national lawn care companies, it becomes very difficult to choose the best among them. Some of them are available at local levels only, some are national but costly, some are DIY and provide products, and some of them have experts who charge according to work. It's not like Sunday lawn care or Scott's lawn care products in which you use products DIY.  It's kinda difficult though but still, somehow, you will reach a Weedman and lawn doctor if you don't want TruGreen services. How are their services and how much do they charge? Will they provide the customer with satisfactory work?  Don't worry at all, I'll try to put every aspect of Weedman Vs Lawn Doctor for you.  Lawn Doctor Vs Weedman Weedman and Lawn Doctor both are national lawn care companies that provide their services in multiple states of the USA like TruGreen . These both have their lawn care experts to work on the field and make you relieved from the difficulties of lawn care t...
Read more