Is there a typical life span on sprinkler heads?
#1
06-18-18, 09:01 AM
Is there a typical life span on sprinkler heads?
I installed 10 zones with 5-6 Hunter PGP heads per zone about 11 years ago. I’ve replaced heads that were leaking bad, and the few I’ve chopped off with my mower. I blow out the lines every fall with my compressor. Depending on the zone, some heads take longer than others to drain, thus some just have air blowing through until the others are clear of water. I’ve heard this can be bad for the heads since they use water to lubricate.
I now have numerous heads that pop up, they just don’t rotate anymore. Is there a fix for this, or am I better off just replacing some (or all) of the heads?
I now have numerous heads that pop up, they just don’t rotate anymore. Is there a fix for this, or am I better off just replacing some (or all) of the heads?
#2
06-18-18, 10:32 AM
Group Moderator
You can just replace them if you want. You can also remove them and give them a close look. Pieces of debris or mineral deposits can gunk them up and prevent them from rotating. Soaking in muriatic (hydrochloric) acid will dissolve away mineral deposits. Bits of sand or debris can be picked out with a fine wire or washed out by spraying water in the outlet.
#3
06-18-18, 10:42 AM
Member
My PGP's are now 11 years old and I go through a couple every year.
Nice thing today is they have PGP Ultras that have different nozzle design that easily pop off vs having to destroy them with the old ones to remove.
I get mine off eBay for about $7 each so just pitch them.
Nice thing today is they have PGP Ultras that have different nozzle design that easily pop off vs having to destroy them with the old ones to remove.
I get mine off eBay for about $7 each so just pitch them.
#4
06-21-18, 08:11 AM
Just purchased 16 pgp ultras online, they do look like a nice step up from the regular PGP’s. I have about 6 to replace that are completely broken and will start replacing heads that dont rotate anymore.
Another question. I have 1 zone that doesn’t come on with controller. I notice this yesterday when I was home. I can turn the valve manually and it goes on. Can this be a defective or dirty valve? Don’t want to replace valve if it could be something else. All components of this system are 16 years old
also the valve box often gets flooded as if sits right in front of the hose bib, which leaks, and it’s right near my pool which drains toward box and water always finds my valve box.
Another question. I have 1 zone that doesn’t come on with controller. I notice this yesterday when I was home. I can turn the valve manually and it goes on. Can this be a defective or dirty valve? Don’t want to replace valve if it could be something else. All components of this system are 16 years old
also the valve box often gets flooded as if sits right in front of the hose bib, which leaks, and it’s right near my pool which drains toward box and water always finds my valve box.
#5
06-21-18, 09:42 AM
Group Moderator
It's probably a bad electrical connection or broken wire. First I would undo the connection for that solenoid out in the yard. Clean the wires and twist them together to see if it works. If so install a new waterproofing wire nut/cover, they are sold in the same area as irrigation parts.
#6
06-23-18, 07:26 AM
Solenoid still not responding to timer. Removed wire nuts for that solenoid (both wires) and cut and respliced all the connections and still not working. The rest of the wire appeared to be ok with all the insulation intact. Any other suggestions?
#7
06-23-18, 03:17 PM
Group Moderator
Do you have a multi meter or voltage tester so you can see if the power is getting that far? If you are getting power on the wires when that zone is energized then it's probably a bad solenoid. If you're not getting power then you have a broken wire or bad connection somewhere.
