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The Daily Insight

What happens when sprinkler head breaks?

Author

Samuel Coleman

Published May 21, 2026

What happens when sprinkler head breaks?

A severely broken sprinkler head tends to shoot water off in the air, similar to a geyser. Even if you shut off that zone, the water can still run through the pipes and flood your lawn. A functioning sprinkler head will control the water flow, where a broken head is going to distribute more water than it should.

How much does it cost to replace a broken sprinkler head?

Replacing sprinkler heads runs $2.50 to $18 per head for most types, plus a range of $50 to $100 per hour for labor by a professional plumber. Valve replacement averages about $12.50 to $40 per valve in addition to labor. Some heads can cost as much as $30 each, and brass valves range to $100 or more.

How often do fire sprinklers fail?

But the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that fire sprinklers fail or operate ineffectively 7 percent of the time—and more often than not, human error is to blame.

How do you unblock a pop up sprinkler?

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  1. Clear the sprinkler surround with a trowel or sprinkler surround cutter.
  2. Inspect the sprinkler body for damage.
  3. Lift the sprinkler riser and inspect it for damage.
  4. Unscrew the old nozzle.
  5. Inspect the inside for debris or damage.
  6. Undo the filter basket and rinse it under the tap.

How do you repair a broken sprinkler head?

First, find the leak by looking for escaping water or sprinkler heads with little to no flow. Then, dig up and expose the damaged pipe so you can remove it. Use a slip coupling to replace the damaged section of pipe, fill in the dirt around it, and you’re done!

How does a pop up sprinkler head work?

Unscrew the faulty sprinkler head from the riser. The riser is the small pipe that connects the sprinkler to the water line. The sprinkler head sits on the riser, which helps to regulate its up-and-down movement, rather than directly on the water line itself. To remove the sprinkler head, twist it to the left, or counterclockwise.

When do you Know Your sprinkler line is broken?

If you’re having trouble finding water leaking out into the ground, check the sprinkler heads. If you notice a row of them aren’t spraying water or are spraying much less water than other sprinkler heads, then the line is broken and the water isn’t reaching them.

How can I tell if my sprinkler head is leaking?

If you see water spraying out of the line instead of the sprinkler head, then there’s a crack or leak in the line. Once you’ve identified where the leak is, mark the location so you can find it when the water is turned off.

How do you fix a sprinkler head?

If the sprinkler head is clogged, use a small, thin wire to unclog the holes. If the pipe is clogged then you can use the snake to try and bust through the clog or use some chemical cleaners inside the pipe itself. Sometimes the only fix for the sprinkler head is to replace it all together.

How do you replace a broken sprinkler head?

To replace a damaged or broken sprinkler head, simply dig a hole around the head until the riser (a pipe that connects to your main water line) is uncovered. Unscrew the old sprinkler from the riser and secure a new head by tightly winding by hand.

What is the best pop up sprinkler head?

Top 5 Best Pop Up Sprinkler Heads #1. Rain Bird 1800 Series Pop-Up Sprinklers #2. Sommerland A7012 Pop-Up Sprinkler #3. Toro 53743 570 Pop-Up with X-Flow Sprinkler #4. Signature 6000 Pro Rotor Pop-Up #5. Rain Bird Professional Pop-Up Sprinkler

How do you replace a lawn sprinkler head?

Replacing the Sprinkler Head Unscrew the faulty sprinkler head from the riser. Buy a replacement sprinkler head that’s the same size as the old one. Wrap a length of thread seal tape around the male end of the riser. Screw on the new sprinkler head. Adjust the sprinkler nozzle to direct the spray pattern where you want it.