low sprinkler head spay

17 years ago

i'm going to make this simple and to the point but may get lengthy. keep in mind that i am new to the whole lawn irrigation thing, so excuse my terminology.

last summer we had a hunter sprinkler system installed containing 7 zones, pgp rotary heads, spray heads, pgv valves and a pro-c controller.

during last summer the sprinkler installers had to return twice in order to adjust the sprinkler heads correctly so that each sprinkle head sprayed the way it should.

in fall of last year we had the sprinkler system turned off by the sprinkler company and flushed.

this summer they returned back and turn the system back on for a nice fee of $70.

the issue that i am having is that i was not home when they turned the sprinkler system on this season nor was i home last summer when the installers adjusted the sprinkler heads to spray correctly.

i notice that in one of my zones which contains 5 rotary heads that for one of the heads the stream of water is very low, it's like as though the sprinkler head is pissing, it does not have the same spray force as the rest of the heads in that zone.

how do i go about correcting this issue? do i adjust the sprinkler head itself with the radius distance or does it involves using the valves at the control box? does it have to deal with pressure issues in the main water supply? i know we do not have any broken pipes or solenoid issues because the system was installed less than a year ago. really don't want to call the installers because i know it will take them another two to three weeks before they get here plus another $70 maybe.

i know that correct the issue is real simple, i just want to make sure i do it correctly and not damage the sprinkler system.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

saxophone
17 years ago
Has the problem sprinkler head worked properly before?

I'm no expert, but here's what I could think of as being the problem (in order from easist to hardest to investigate and fix).

1. The head needs adjusting. Go to the manufacturer's website and find the instructions on how to adjust your model of sprinkler head. They usually have an e-mail address where you can ask questions if you don't find the answer.

2. The head is clogged or broken. Flushing the system usually prevents clogging, but it can still happen. Where I live, the city replaced the water meters. In so doing, they introduce all kinds of muck into the water supply. I also had an earwig crawl inside one of my fixtures and clog it up. They seem to like water. You could try swapping the head with one of your other ones or with a new one. This means digging. If you swap, and the other one works fine but the problem one is still "pissing" in its new position, then you probably have a bad head.

3. There's a clog in your pipe, or the pipe is broken. I'd look along the ground where the pipe runs to see if you notice any wet spots. You could dig up the head, remove the head, flush the pipe. Let's hope it isn't #3.
b_fowler
17 years ago
More likely than not, it is a clogged head. Dirt happens. Depending on what actual rotary head you have and how your system was installed, it should be pretty easy to replace the head.......you may want to unscrew it, clean the filter 'basket' (looks like a swimming pool skimmer)beneath the head by blowing it out with compressed air or just rinsing it out with a clean source of water (use a toothbrush to clear clogs). Just common sense stuff like that usually works.
Before replacing, you might want to briefly turn on the system and check that one outlet and see if it is blowing like Old Faithful in Yellowstone Park. What this does is clear any dirt clod or whatever that may have been in the pipe that connects to the head. Then put it back together and see if you've resolved the problem.

....it kinda runs along the same idea as your car seeming to run better when it's washed and waxed!
Related Discussions
sprinkler head leaking
Q
Comments (1)
Is this a low head, lower than other heads on the same zone? This isnt something that would occur, barring any earthquake activity, rather it either is or isnt a low head. The seal-a-matic references a small rubber seal (check valve) in the bottom of the sprinkler head some 570's have these as well, check-o-matic is what Toro calls it, this check valve, if present, could be warn, damged or have debris on it that causes the head to weep. Also you could have a zone valve (electric valve) that is weeping and causing this head to seep. Before you go replacing electric valves I would recommend investigating it further, taking the head apart, etc..
...See More
Estimated life of sprinkler heads
Q
Comments (4)
Depending in how the head is installed plays a big role in its longevity. All sprinkler heads should be at grade level. If your heads are below grade you can expect spray heads to last maybe only a year or two before they start staying stuck up or won't pop up. The diaphragm the other person was talking about is called a wiper seal. It is a rubber gasket around the shaft at the top of the sprinkler head. It gives the head a water tight seal and removes any debris as the head retracts.
...See More
Sprinkler Head Pressure
Q
Comments (4)
Thanks for all the replies. I'm having trouble finding sprinkler heads with a spray distance that will work. I have seen that there are converters that will change your standard sprinkler head into a drip system. These seem like a cheap and easy solution to the problem, but how well do they work? Do they work with any standard irrigation system? My system allows for a maximum of 99 minutes per station. Will that be enough time for a thorough watering under a drip system? Or would I be better off just hooking it up to a hose (that would only work for one of the beds)? By the way, the heads are up against the house.
...See More
Need advice on new sprinkler heads (Dead spots near heads)
Q
Comments (10)
You might get more comments in the Irrigation forum. I've always had a problem with single point sprayers and the Rainbird type of sprinkler, because they shoot water out away and leave the center of the circle relatively dry. They can be adjusted, but they're too fiddly for me to figure out. The oscillator is the only sprinkler that gets close to uniform coverage. Several people have hinted that you would be better off with a different grass. What you have is a cool season, northern type grass, but you are located in a warm season location. You can make it work as long as you have unlimited water available, say, from your own well. You might be happier with a mix of prairie type grasses. Here is a picture of a lawn in Salt Lake City. Thanks to bpgreen for posting this several years ago. His lawn is a mix of wheatgrasses, blue grama, and strawberry clover. He only waters it a few times a year. Of course his temps are not as hot as yours, but then again, the varieties of wheatgrass he has are adapted to the cooler climes. You would be using something different. The grass itself does not grow fast, but it will send up seed heads and flowers on long stalks. Those can be mowed off every few weeks before they get up too tall. I guess the point is this looks like a real lawn and uses a fraction of the water used by traditional lawns.
...See More

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Get a Head Start on Planning Your Garden Even if It’s Snowing

By Marianne Lipanovich

Reviewing what you grew last year now will pay off when it’s time to head outside

Full Story

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Houzz Survey: See What Homeowners Are Doing With Their Landscapes Now

By Annie Thornton

Homeowners are busy putting in low-maintenance landscapes designed for outdoor living, according to the 2015 Houzz landscaping survey

Full Story

CURB APPEAL Take Your Hell Strip to Heavenly Heights: 8 Design Ideas

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Trade weedy dirt and trash for a parking strip filled with wispy grasses, low-growing flowers and textural trees

Full Story

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Carex can replace turfgrass in any spot, is low maintenance and adjusts easily. Add its good looks and you’ve got a ground cover winner

Full Story

162

PLANTING IDEAS Modern Planting Ideas From a Historic English Garden

By Frank Organ

Low-maintenance, climate-fitting plants are just the beginning of the good things in this bishop’s updated garden

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Southwest Gardener's March Checklist

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Dust off your gardening tools and get busy pruning to help your trees and plants reach their full potential

Full Story

FRONT YARD IDEAS Before and After: Front Lawn to Prairie Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

How they did it: Homeowners create a plan, stick to it and keep the neighbors (and wildlife) in mind

Full Story

120

COLORFUL HOMES My Houzz: A 1904 Georgian Colonial Gets a Personal Stamp

By Hoi Ning Wong

Art with a sense of humor rubs elbows with 17th-century features in a 7-bedroom home in a tony Silicon Valley neighborhood

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES How to Install a Drip Irrigation System

By Marianne Lipanovich

Save time and water with a drip watering system in your vegetable garden — a little patience now will pay off later

Full Story

LIFE The Top 5 Ways to Save Water at Home

By Julie Kim

Get on the fast track to preserving a valuable resource and saving money too with these smart, effective strategies

Full Story

116

low sprinkler head spay

Comments (2)

saxophone

b_fowler

Related Discussions

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US