Removing my automatic lawn sprinklers?
Question:I need to build my yard up with dirt! My yard is on a big hill but is not very big and all the sprinklers are along the fence so how would i go about getting them out without causing damage so i can reuse them or should i hire someone and if so how much would this be approx.
Answers:
Most sprinkler heads unscrew from the pipe whether its PVC or steel but steel is as rare as a double stamped coin nowdays. Since the heads are along the fence, mark the fence with ribbon or something to show where the piping coming up to the head is located, this is called the riser. Draw yourself a drawing showing about how far away the head is from the marker. Dig around the head to expose the piping and unscrew it, two pair of channel lock pliers should do for this. Screw a cap (available from any hardware store in PVC or steel) on the riser to keep debris and dirt out of the piping.
After you are done filling things in and building up, just gently remove the dirt around the risers and determine how much additional pipe you need to get the sprinkler up to where it needs to be at the new level. Use a threaded pipe coupler and an extension nipple of proper length, screw the sprinkler back on and point it in the right direction and Wham-O...your in business.
Designing a sprinkler system takes knowledge but repairing it and adjusting head heights is something that does not require an expert.
Dont be afraid or this project, it will be fun and a learning experience. Yup a real confidence builder!
hire someone n depends how big the yard is n how hard i would estimate 100 to 500 dollars my dad is a gardener n one more thing the tubing is glued together so its gonna be pretty hard to reput them back so u can reuse them
Assuming that your sprinkler system is not ancient and has PVC pipe instead of steel, you can either cut out the run of pipe and reuse it later, or else just install a new section later.
You might want to cut off the old pipe and leave it buried, then just screw off the sprinkler heads. You can reconnect it later, or new PVC pipe is not that expensive.
Make sure to glue on an end cap where you do the cut until you do the new one.
Important note: When you get ready to reconnect the sprinkler heads, you can make the adjustment for the different height using "swing pipe" (plastic, similar to drip hose) it it's only about a couple of feet or less). You might be able to go a little more, say three feet.
The existing heads may or may not be connected with swing pipe, but you'll need longer pieces. Swing pipe has connectors that you put on the ends, and those connectors attach to the PVC on one end, and to the sprinkler head on the other.
dig down to the sprinklers and remove the heads. Add the amount of PVC pipe you need for your new level and reattach the heads. Will save you a ton of work over reinstalling the whole thing. And they are run on water pressure, so a 3-4' increase will not affect the pressure.
To remove the heads so you can reuse them, you may need to hacksaw them off just below the head and file smooth, but they can definately be reused if you are careful.
Good luck.
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