How to Fix a Broken Sprinkler Pipe

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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Periodically, all sprinkler systems need repair work. Sometimes they're old and worn out. Sometimes the problem is a simple leak around a joint, and occasionally the pipes burst from freezing. When this happens in your lawn, you can usually fix it yourself with a minimum of annoyance, aside from the usual irritation that comes with a geyser in your yard.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Plumbing tools
Replacement pipe

Step 1

Find the leak. In your lawn, this is leading up to the section of sprinklers that is no longer working. There might be a small flood, a geyser or a pond surrounding the leak.
Step 2

Turn off the water supply leading to that area. This might require shutting down the main valve coming into your house, or it might be a valve leading to that area from the main supply.
Step 3

Remove the broken pipe. Dig it out of your yard and use plumbing tools to remove it from the sprinkler system.
Step 4

Replace the broken pipe. Be sure to seal the ends with plumbers tape before you insert it back into the sprinkler system. Tighten any joints around it and turn the water back on to make sure it works.
Step 5

Keep your system in good shape by following the sprinkler's recommended maintenance schedule.

Tips & Warnings

Use the same procedure to replace sprinkler pipes in a fire suppression system. In that case, the leak is coming from the pipe that's causing water damage in your ceiling or wall or leaving a puddle on your floor.
You might be able to patch the leak, rather than replace the pipe. See eHow's tutorial on patching inground lawn sprinklers.
If you're at all concerned with repairing the leak yourself, call the company that installed the system or another company that deals with sprinklers. If you have a sprinkler system, someone put it there. There should be a local company that deals with installation, maintenance and repair. Get a repair guy out there, and let him repair it.

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