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How to Replace Rainbird Sprinklers

Underground sprinkler systems provide crucial irrigation to your lawn during periods of less-than-favorable weather. They make the difference between a brown, dormant lawn in the hot summer months and a lush, green and soft lawn. Rainbird sprinklers are a popular brand of underground sprinkler systems. If the sprinkler head becomes damaged or clogged, it may be necessary to replace it with a new sprinkler head. It is fairly easy to replace Rainbird sprinklers by following a few simple steps.

Dig around the Rainbird sprinkler head that needs to be replaced with a small trowel until you locate the water-feed line. Move to a larger shovel to remove the rest of the dirt. Clear an area 12 inches in diameter around the sprinkler head and as deep as the sprinkler head.

  • Underground sprinkler systems provide crucial irrigation to your lawn during periods of less-than-favorable weather.
  • If the sprinkler head becomes damaged or clogged, it may be necessary to replace it with a new sprinkler head.

Unscrew the sprinkler head from the water-feed line. Turn it in a counterclockwise direction to unscrew the sprinkler head from the pipe.

Wrap Teflon tape around the new sprinkler head's threads. Screw the sprinkler head into the water-feed line and tighten until it is hand tightened.

Turn the water to the sprinkler system on to make sure the spray pattern is correct and there are no water leaks.

Make adjustments as necessary to the sprinkler head to achieve the spray pattern you desire.

Back-fill the dirt around the sprinkler head to the same height it was before. Make sure the head doesn't move as you are filling the dirt in.

  • Unscrew the sprinkler head from the water-feed line.
  • Screw the sprinkler head into the water-feed line and tighten until it is hand tightened.

Tip

If you carefully cut out the sod with a small trowel before digging, you can replace the same sod around the sprinkler after installing the new head. This will save you the headache of reseeding around the new sprinkler head.

Warning

Make sure the water supply is off to the sprinkler system before unscrewing the head. Pressurized water lines can be dangerous.

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