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why is my hunter sprinkler head leaking

by Gerhard Metz Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

3 Main Reasons & Solutions for Sprinkler Head Leaking

  • Low Head Drainage. This is the most common reason for the leaking. The lowest head on a zone allows water to flow from the lateral pipework.
  • Broken Pipes. Wet areas in your landscape are frequently caused by broken pipes. ...
  • Defect in Valve. Each sprinkler valve functions similarly to a faucet, shutting off and on water flow. ...

Full Answer

How to fix Hunter sprinkler heads?

Reasons Why Your Sprinkler Head Won’t Rotate (Orbit Sprinklers)

  • Internal Damage. The first cause of this problem is internal damage. ...
  • Filter Clogging. Another main reason for this problem is clogging in the filter. ...
  • Clogged Supply Tube. Aside from just the filter, the supply tube may also get clogged from time to time. ...
  • Sprinkler Head Damage. The last possible reason is simply a damaged sprinkler head. ...

How do you adjust Hunter irrigation heads?

  • The adjustable left edge of the spray pattern is marked with a raised dot on top of the nozzle’s arc adjusting ring.
  • Hold both sides of the nozzle at a point below the top adjusting ring.
  • Turn the top adjusting ring counterclockwise to increase the arc or clockwise to decrease the arc.

How do I adjust Hunter PGJ sprinkler heads?

  • Insert the plastic key end of the Hunter wrench into the lifting socket of the sprinkler and turn 90°. Pull the riser up to gain access to the nozzle socket.
  • Using the hex key of the Hunter wrench, turn the radius adjustment screw counterclockwise to be sure it is not blocking the nozzle socket opening. ...
  • Slip the desired nozzle into the nozzle socket. ...

How do you fix a leaking sprinkler head?

Leaking Control Valve

  • » Turn Off the System. To start with the procedure, the electrical power supply and the water supply to the sprinkler system must be turned off.
  • » Check the Valve Box. Open the valve box of the sprinkler system. ...
  • » Examine the Diaphragm Gasket. Take the bonnet off the solenoid. ...
  • » Test. ...

How do you stop a sprinkler head from leaking?

Fix The Leak If your sprinkler system has low head drainage, you can easily fix it by installing anti-drain check valves in the sprinkler heads. These valves are specially designed to automatically close when the water supply is turned off and prevent water from draining through the lowest sprinkler heads.

Why is water leaking from my sprinkler head?

A leaky valve typically arises due to a blockage in the mechanism that runs the valve. A blockage could also be an indication that the valve is worn out and requires replacement. You can spot leaky valves easily because water will continue flowing out of the sprinkler long after you've shut it off.

Why do Hunter sprinkler heads leak?

The most common reason is called “Low Head Drainage”. "Low Head Drainage" occurs when the lowest head on a zone allows water to drain from the lateral piping, out of the sprinkler. If it is low head drainage, residual water will stop flowing after all the water has left the pipe.

Why is there a puddle around my sprinkler head?

Puddles of water around sprinkler heads are signs of leaky valves. To fix a leaky valve, you disassemble the valve, clean it, replace any bad parts and then reassemble it. Usually dirt, gravel or a rock is stuck in the valve causing it to stick open.

How do you fix a leaky Hunter sprinkler valve?

0:159:10How To Fix A Leaking Hunter PGV Sprinkler Valve Step By StepYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo let's go ahead and take a look at the instructions. And then we'll get the sprinkler box turnedMoreSo let's go ahead and take a look at the instructions. And then we'll get the sprinkler box turned off and then we'll also get the main water supply turned off to the irrigation.

How do you stop low head drainage?

To correct low head drainage, the most common solution is to install check valves at each of the sprinkler heads or rotors. Sprinkler check valves help prevent the collected water from draining from the heads.

How do you repair a hunter pop up sprinkler?

0:354:51Replace SPRINKLER HEAD in 5 Minutes - Rainbird - Hunter - OrbitYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd clear out a little bit of space in the hole you want to just pick up any rocks or any kind ofMoreAnd clear out a little bit of space in the hole you want to just pick up any rocks or any kind of loose debris. So you can get clear access to the top.

Should I use Teflon tape on sprinkler heads?

Standard Teflon tape or plastic compatible Teflon sealant around the riser or swing joint threads is all that is required to prevent leaks around the inlet threads of Hunter sprinklers. The Teflon also provides a long-lasting lubricant should it become necessary to remove the sprinkler for servicing.

How do you change a hunter sprinkler head nozzle?

1:213:24Changing A Hunter PGP-ADJ Nozzle - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOr you can pull it out with a flathead screwdriver. Now break the appropriate nozzle off of yourMoreOr you can pull it out with a flathead screwdriver. Now break the appropriate nozzle off of your nozzle tree. Two little wings on this go up and this hole right here heads down at an angle.

Why is my sprinkler flooding?

A broken sprinkler head is a common cause of sprinkler flooding. Since sprinkler heads rise above your lawn and are made of plastic, they could be run over by a car or other piece of equipment. In short, sprinkler heads break easily.

How do I know if my sprinkler head is bad?

One of the most common problems with a lawn irrigation system is when sprinkler heads get damaged, which is usually easy to spot....Look for:Damage to the plastic casing on the sprinkler heads.Sprinkler heads that don't pop up.Water that sprays wildly or not at all.Sprinklers with heads that are completely broken off.

Can sprinklers leak when off?

There are two main reasons a sprinkler system can leak when it's off: improper grading and a leaking valve.

Why is my hunter sprinkler leaking?

Why is your hunter PGP sprinkler head leaking? Firstly, the hunter PGP sprinkler head leaking is due to low head drainage. Secondly, it happens due to the issues in pipes. Broken pipes have a significant effect on this issue, following with the main and lateral lines.

Why is my sprinkler system leaking?

A leaking valve is usually caused by a clog in the valve’s operating mechanism. A broken valve might also be the clog of this issue. Water will keep flowing out of your sprinkler long after you’ve turned it off. This makes leaky valves easy to notice. But this type of leak could be a sign of low-head drainage as well.

What causes a sprinkler system to get wet?

Broken Pipes. Wet areas in your landscape are frequently caused by broken pipes. There are mainly two kinds of water lines that can break in the sprinkler. One is the main one and the other is a lateral line. The lateral lines feed water to each zone. These are also under pressure with the sprinkler turned on.

Why does the main sprinkler line break?

When it breaks, water starts flowing out of it drastically. Both main and lateral line breaks due to erosion and over-watering.

Is it common for a sprinkler head to leak?

A sprinkler head leaking might not be common. But it’s nothing serious if amended properly. Your sprinkler head might be leaking mainly for these three reasons-.

Why is my sprinkler head leaking?

A leaking sprinkler head can be caused by several things. It may be caused by low head drainage, which isn’t actually a type of leak but is a problem that develops if your sprinkler system is installed in a sloped area. You can tell if you have a low head drainage problem when the lowest sprinklers release water after you’ve turned off the system.

What does a leaking sprinkler head do?

Having a leaking sprinkler head can be annoying. For one thing, it can cause your lawn to be unevenly watered and affect how the grass grows.

How to tell if you have a low head?

You can tell if you have a low head drainage problem when the lowest sprinklers release water after you’ve turned off the system. This flow always stops when the pipes are fully drained of water. If the sprinkler leaks 24/7, it most likely is a leak in the sprinkler head and other parts.

How do I fix a low head sprinkler system?

If your sprinkler system has low head drainage, you can easily fix it by installing anti-drain check valves in the sprinkler heads. These valves are specially designed to automatically close when the water supply is turned off and prevent water from draining through the lowest sprinkler heads.

Do I need to replace a sprinkler head?

If it’s either of the two, you’ll need to replace the sprinkler head with a new one. Of course, take note that leaks may appear to be in the sprinkler head but may actually originate from the riser or the fitting. If the leak originates from the latter, you’ll need to replace the fitting ASAP. If the leak comes from the riser, turn off ...

What causes Hunter rotors to wear out?

Hunter rotors have replaceable riser seals that may wear out over time. Sandy soils, sunken heads, or extremely hot and cold temperatures may also cause a seal to wear out prematurely.The replacement seal kit is available as a replacement part (P/N 253400) and can be ordered through any authorized Hunter distributor.

What to check before turning on sprinklers?

Before turning on the sprinkler to check for leaks, necessary adjustments and proper retraction. It's also a good idea to check the final installation height to determine the sprinkler is set to grade.

How to replace rotor seal on Hunter?

Replacing the Riser Seal on a Hunter rotor. Unthread the body cap and remove the internal assembly from the pop-up body. Place the base of the riser on a solid surface and grip the spring and riser body firmly. With the other hand, snap off the body cap—with your palm on top of the logo cap, pull up with your fingers.

What happens if your rotor is shooting water?

If your rotor was shooting an uncontrolled stream of water, the nozzle has blown out. Each Hunter rotor comes with a wide assortment of nozzles, sized differently to provide different spray arcs. If you don't know what size nozzle should be in the rotor, look at the neighboring rotors.

How to fix a rotor?

Step 1. Determine the exact problem before you attempt any repair. Manually start the zone that includes the faulty rotor. Observe the other rotors included in the same zone. If they come on normally, the fault is with the rotor specifically, not the controller, wiring or water supply.

How to clean rotor mechanism?

Turn the rotor mechanism upside down. Remove the filter screen from the bottom of the rotor mechanism using a dental pick. If the screen is plugged with debris, clean it thoroughly with a toothbrush and running water.

Why does my sprinkler system leak?

Sprinkler valve leaks are generally due to one of two reasons: 1. Low Head Drainage. After each run of your sprinkler system, there is “low head drainage,” or excess water that is still draining from the pipes after the water is switched off.

Why does my irrigation system leak water?

Rubber Diaphragm Seal Break. The most common reason leaks occur is that the rubber parts in the valve box have worn out. Water seeps freely through the system when the diaphragm seal breaks or debris is obstructing the valve from closing.

Why do people call for sprinkler repair?

One of the most common reasons that people call for sprinkler repair is a sprinkler valve leak. Sprinkler valve leaks are important to address because even the smallest leak will waste more water – and more money – every day that the leak goes unattended.

What happens if you make a mistake with Andy's sprinklers?

If you try this on your own and make a mistake, you could cause a great deal of damage to your system. There’s also a risk you could suffer a serious injury. Take that risk out of the equation by contacting Andy’s Sprinkler to schedule an appointment.

Why is it important to contact an expert for a broken sprinkler valve?

If this happens to you, it’s very important that you contact an expert as soon as possible so that any potential water damage will be minimized. A broken or aging sprinkler valve diaphragm seal only gets worse over time.

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