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Outdoor & exterior

How to fix a broken sprinkler head

A mower or a car tire is usually the culprit. Swapping a broken pop-up head is one of the easier outdoor repairs, as long as you keep dirt out of the pipe and match the new head to the old one.

Updated · 7 min read

  • DifficultyEasy
  • Time30–60 minutes
  • If you need helpHandyman

A geyser in the lawn, a dry brown patch, or a head that sprays sideways across the driveway. Sprinkler heads sit right at ground level, so they get run over by mowers, edgers and car tires. The plastic cracks, and the zone wastes water every time it runs.

The fix is usually just a new head screwed onto the same pipe. You need a trowel, a matching replacement, and some care to keep dirt out of the line. Plan on about 30 minutes to an hour, including flushing and adjusting.

Before you buy anything, check whether the head is really broken. A head that will not pop up or sprays weakly is often just clogged.

What you'll need

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Take the old head to the store, or a photo of the label on top, so you can match it.

Clogged or broken? Check first

Rain Bird lists these common problems and fixes before replacing a head:

  • Short or weak spray: rinse the nozzle and the small filter under it.
  • Stem stuck down or only partly up: debris is usually jamming it. Unscrew the cap and rinse the parts.
  • Leaking at the top: clear debris from the stem and cap, and tighten the cap or nozzle.
  • Spray in the wrong place: turn the stem by hand or adjust the pattern dial.

If the body is cracked, the top is snapped off, or water bubbles up from the ground around it, replace the head.

Choose the right replacement

Toro says a replacement head does not have to be the same brand, but it must match the old one in size, throw distance, precipitation rate and operating pressure. In plain terms:

  • Same type. Spray heads put out a fan of water. Rotors shoot a stream that slowly turns. They put down water at different rates, so swap a spray for a spray and a rotor for a rotor.
  • Same size. Match the pop-up height and body size of the old head so it sits the same way in the ground.
  • Same nozzle and pattern. Match the spray distance and pattern (full circle, half, quarter or adjustable).

Rain Bird, Hunter and Toro each have homeowner help pages and product guides if you are not sure what you have.

Replace the head

  1. Turn off the zone. Shut the system off at the controller. Toro also suggests turning off the irrigation water supply and tagging the valve so no one turns it on. Rain Bird suggests waiting a day or two after watering so the soil is not muddy.
  2. Lift the sod. Cut around the head with a trowel and lift the grass in large pieces so you can put it back. Set the dirt in a bucket or bag.
  3. Dig down to the bottom of the head. Go slowly. The pipe is right below, and a trowel can crack it.
  4. Unscrew the old head. Turn it counterclockwise by hand. Lift it out carefully so dirt does not fall into the open pipe. Cover the opening with a rag right away.
  5. Check the riser. Look at the short pipe or fitting the head screws onto. If it is cracked, unscrew it and replace it with one of the same thread and length.
  6. Flush the line. Before installing the new head, briefly run the zone with the rag off to blow out any dirt that got in. Toro also suggests a shop vacuum to clear debris.
  7. Install the new head. Clean the threads, wrap plumber's tape on the male threads as Rain Bird suggests, and screw the head on by hand. Toro says firm but not overtightened, so you can still turn it to aim.
  8. Flush again. Rain Bird recommends running the water for 2 to 5 minutes with the new head installed, then checking for leaks around the base.
  9. Backfill. Pack dirt around the head so it stands straight, with its top level with the ground. Replace the sod.

Adjust the spray

  1. Set the direction. With the water running, turn the stem by hand to line up the edge of the spray with the area it should cover.
  2. Set the distance. Turn the screw on top of the nozzle. Rain Bird says this can reduce the distance by up to about 25 percent.
  3. Check coverage. The spray from each head should reach the next head. Keep water off sidewalks, driveways and the house.

When to call a pro

Call an irrigation pro or handyman if:

  • The pipe under the head is broken, or you find a soggy area with no head nearby.
  • A zone will not turn on or will not turn off.
  • Water runs even when the controller is off, which points to a valve or backflow problem.
  • Many heads in a zone have weak spray even after cleaning.
  • Your system needs to be winterized and you have never done it.

Renters, check with your landlord before touching the system. Not sure? Try the fix-or-call quiz.

Keep it from happening again

  • Mark heads near driveways and edges with small flags so mowers and cars steer clear.
  • Run each zone a few times a season and walk the yard to spot problems early.
  • Rinse nozzles and filters if spray patterns start to weaken.
  • Follow your local guidance on shutting down and draining the system before freezing weather. Add it to your fall maintenance checklist.

Common questions

Does the new sprinkler head have to be the same brand?

No. Toro says a replacement does not need to be the same brand, but it should match the old head in size, throw distance, precipitation rate and operating pressure. Look for this information on the top or label of the old head.

Why is water bubbling up around a sprinkler head?

The head, the riser it screws onto, or a fitting below it is probably cracked, or the head is loose. Dig it out with the zone off and inspect the riser. A leak that keeps going when the system is off may be a valve problem, which is a job for a pro.

My sprinkler head won't pop up. Is it broken?

Not always. Rain Bird says a stuck stem is often caused by debris. With the water off, unscrew the cap, rinse the parts, and clean the nozzle and filter before buying a new head.

Do I need plumber's tape on a sprinkler head?

Rain Bird's instructions call for cleaning the threads and wrapping plumber's tape on the male threads, then tightening the head by hand. Follow the directions that came with your new head.

Sources

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