This video comes at a perfect time for me. Would love to see more irrigation content. Especially stuff like improving poor coverage, moving a head, adding heads to a zone, and repairing the aftermath / taking care to not mess up the grass in the process.
So true, when I first tried repairing the irrigation system when I moved in my current home I made 3 trips to home depot. Then I just started buying a bunch of parts after that. And just returned what I didn't need, and kept the extra of stuff I did use.
Hey from Palm Harbor. My back doesn't allow me to bend over for long periods of time, so my loving wife does the dirty work at the sprinkler head. The other day we were cleaning the sprinkler head filter and while I was in the house cleaning the filter, a neighbor stopped and asked her if she was alright and could she get up! I love that woman! I swear, it's kind of a rites of spring thing with these sprinkler heads... and your threshold of tolerance for overspray gets a little looser each year. Boy are you right about making multiple trips to Home Depot or Lowes... and keeping spare parts on hand! We use reclaimed water here in Palm Harbor, FL and man does it make a difference during these drought periods! Thanks for another great video Al.
I switched from those plastic risers to flexible pipe because I would hit them with the lawn mower or run over the sprinkler head and crack the riser. My biggest irrigation problem is spots covered by evergreen trees and they block the sprinklers and cause dry spots in the lawn.
I've never touched a sprinkler system and this is my project for this holiday weekend. Def a good video and I feel confident that I can replace all my heads 😌
Being a new home owner this video helps a lot! I have two heads that need to be changed. I have a well established lawn and just want it to keep looking healthy and green!
Straight to the point and informative. Thank you. Have to replace a sprinkler head and riser for the first time and don’t have nobody for guidance so thank you!
Just added a riser to one sprinkler head in my lawn, but was unsure of how to cut it to length. This video was very helpful. I already have that tool that you used to cut the riser to the correct length. Now I can do it myself! Thanks!
I installed my own irrigation from the branch off the main inside the house all the way out to heads. I used hose clamps on everything, poly pipe on barbed fittings, tape on all threaded connections. 2 years ago I replaced all the valves but everything else remained form the original install back in 1996. Also added a special backflow device so I can add a fertigation tank
This sure is timely! I just finished replacing six sprayer heads by my sidewalk from the hodge podge of random heads to a consistent pressure regulated and check valve setup. So many weird things the previous owner of the place did to keep things running, including two 8 inch sprayer heads that were used for some reason. Thank goodness for risers!
I'm definitely planning a DIY irrigation setup. I find peace in dragging hoses around in the morning, but it's time to put some lines underground. Great video Al!!
Well done & thank you! Very helpful to this 73 yr. old. handy man. I nearly subscribed. (Side note: college day reference not appropriate, unless grand children remembering grandpa's subtle, salacious humor vs appropriate spiritual discernment/modeling is your intent in your advanced years). 2 Corinthians 10:5
Good and timely video. Gives me a boost of confidence. I just paid $227 for my sprinkler company to turn on the sprinklers since winter and replaced a head. Yikes, I'd like to save money if I could learn from your knowledge. I'm clueless how techs twist the controls back and forth on the sprinkler tops to adjust water throw. Please do a video on simple adjustments we can make on sprinkler heads. Also, how to shut off or turn on systems when winter and spring occur. I have the problem of squirrels sharpening their teeth on the soft plastic heads. Thanks!
I've got a bucket full of sprinkler parts, I use Hunter sprinkler heads I haven't had much luck with the rainbirds or orbits never tried the toro ones though, Maybe I'll have to check it out one day!
Bought a brand-new house last fall and I'm looking forward to getting out in the lawn here in Iowa this spring. Would love to see more stuff on irrigation. Gotta keep that new sod looking good.
Cool to see these videos from you. What is nice about the Toro T5 head you used is that it offers a 5" pop up height compared to the standard 4" used, so its best for your St. Augustine which grows tall. It is also super easy to set.
We had a new system installed last summer. Now the fun begins finding and removing the heads and old PVC pipes from the last 2 systems from 40 years or so. 😂
I feel like irrigation is a constant upkeep/maintenance piece of DIY lawn care. Gotta make sure things are always working otherwise you’ll see it in the lawn and then your scrambling to fix it.
Threaded fittings specifically made for sprinklers do not require teflon tape because they are made from a softer plastic, which is in essence self-sealing.
Also where can I find regular old green Lawn Donuts at? Only style my Lowes is carrying right now is some goofy octagon shaped one that's very rough and not clean looking at all. It seems like the standard clean, smooth, 6 1/2" green lawn donuts can't be found right now...
I learned years ago about those cut to fit risers. At first I only bought one or two at a time...then one time I saw there was an tire pack (i think 10 to a pk) for about what 2 or 3 of the singles cost. Just pick yourself up a couple of those packs and you will be good for years to come.
How do you determine the sprinkler head height? Have two Hunter PGP 4 inchers that are sunk in pretty good. Got risers but definitely stuck on how high they need to go. Thanks for any advice and appreciate your videos.
Wow the perfect video as I just got home from Lowes. I got a quick question for you....I'm about to use grubex as per your recommendation but was also planning on spraying Ironite....was going to apply the grubex then water it as I lay down the Ironite...would that mess anything up? Greetings from Orlando from a fellow South Floridian. What part of South Florida are you in?
Both of those need to be watered in so you can do both same day, then water it all in together. I'm in Bradenton. Been super dry here this year so far.
@@TheLawnCareNut thanks so much man I’m about to do it right now as the sun is going down I do have 2 mini schnauzers that go out to the yard every 30 minutes will these products be harmful to them?
The irrigation head has 3/4" threads and the elbow that was already in the ground has 1/2" threads. So I really had no choice other than to use the reducer that I did. Most sprinkler heads are set up this say way here in Florida.
Hey nut, great video. I haven’t used my irrigation in a few years, and I’ve put some Bermuda sod down since the last time. I want to start using my irrigation again but have to do a few fixes, one being the blowback has to be replaced and I do remember one head leaking bad. How can I find the heads that were covered over with sod? I’m think the only way is to walk around with a plumber’s probe. Any suggestions?
One thing you didn't mention is when you unscrew the old sprinkler head, DO NOT get dirt down inside the line. For you that was the last sprinkler head on that run so if dirt did get down in there and once you turn the sprinkler on it will only plug up the one head. My luck last year was when I replaced one of the sprinkler heads, it was the first head in the run and dirt fell down in the line. Once the water was turned on that dirt ended up getting into the next three heads and I had to take them all apart to clean them out.
Watching this, I was seriously stressed regarding dirt falling, but he didn't really expand into the importance of not getting any/cleaning out the line. Surprised, because you are correct, it's a biggie.
Is that your preferred sprinkler? I have the 90, 180 degree kind and they don't seem to water well here in Central California. I do have a lot of hardpan here.
Sand is just easier to pack down hard and level out. It doesn't settle close to what the soil would. He's also got extremely sandy soil being by the water in Florida so it works out well.
Do you know why I only have 1 some that won’t turn on manually ? I replaced new solenoid but that didn’t fix the issue all my other zone on perfectly when I turn them on manually but 1 zone don’t
Nice try, but I think I'll continue doing it the right way (buy removing enough soil around the body to make sure I'm unscrewing the entire unit and not just the cartridge). Also, it helps to pay particular care to avoid knocking dirt back into the feed riser or elbow when re-installing the housing, else you will have to clean the filter screens.
needed to replace a sprinkler head and cant stop thinking of minecraft building 🤣🤣 goodtimeswithscar uses the same music weird youtube connection moment but figured i say something and see if im not the only one 😬
Dynamite video and yes I am very hesitant of working on my own irrigation system really thought that dig out tool with something is there a specific name for that thank you
Got a whole drawer in the tool chest dedicated to irrigation. Those adjustable risers give me nightmares. Had to raise 15 or so heads and most of those risers broke with just a bump from kids playing around. Ended up switching to solid nipples.
Anyone help. I'm new to lawn care. I put down stress blend . I watered it in but almost two days later we had a hard rain. Do I need to reapply or should I be good.
Allyn, hope you're doing well? HELP PLEASE!!! I just noticed what I believe to be wild Bermuda in my Empire Zoysia lawn! Not happy about that... What are some of the ways you control/eliminate wild Bermuda?
I had a bad batch of toro heads. They would not retract back down. Unfortunately by the time I swapped them it was to late for the return. They knew it was a bad run of them out in the field. I switched brands.
If using Teflon tape “added frustration” you’re doing something wrong. Practice until you’re proficient and having tape on makes future disassembly easy.🤷♂️ Thank for the content that’s really helpful. ✌️
I'm a DIYer. I do this once a year. No need to be proficient. Just accurate enough. If I owned a company, same deal. Why add cost when there is no benefit?
Why use it where it's not needed though. Those plastics are soft, so when you screw then on tight, they sorry if self-seal, and the pressure in the system is minimal since water is always coming out, so no real need for additional tightening
Keeping the head up taller also helps prevent the parts from being worn down over time from dirt/sand in the soil that get drug across the seal and into the unit when the head retracts after use.
Hey, Alyn...have you used the rainbird r-van sprinkler heads? They are super adjustable and the spray pattern looks really cool. I would be stoked to see you review the different types of sprinkler heads. I replaced my standard misters with the r-vans and I love them.
Here is the sprinkler donut cutter amzn.to/41OJbLN (it's much cheaper at an Ace or HD store if you can find it there)
Go morning Allen can I add prodiamine with humic 12 ?
@@nramroop79 sure can, water them both in together
This video comes at a perfect time for me. Would love to see more irrigation content. Especially stuff like improving poor coverage, moving a head, adding heads to a zone, and repairing the aftermath / taking care to not mess up the grass in the process.
I agree!
Completely agree... exactly what Eric said please!
100% Agree!
This guy is providing awful information
@@303sprinklers, why?
Amen Allyn! I like the tone that figuring out sprinkler configurations is part of the fun!
So true, when I first tried repairing the irrigation system when I moved in my current home I made 3 trips to home depot. Then I just started buying a bunch of parts after that. And just returned what I didn't need, and kept the extra of stuff I did use.
Such a great teacher and ambassador of the craft! 🙌
thanks!!
Hey from Palm Harbor. My back doesn't allow me to bend over for long periods of time, so my loving wife does the dirty work at the sprinkler head. The other day we were cleaning the sprinkler head filter and while I was in the house cleaning the filter, a neighbor stopped and asked her if she was alright and could she get up! I love that woman! I swear, it's kind of a rites of spring thing with these sprinkler heads... and your threshold of tolerance for overspray gets a little looser each year. Boy are you right about making multiple trips to Home Depot or Lowes... and keeping spare parts on hand! We use reclaimed water here in Palm Harbor, FL and man does it make a difference during these drought periods! Thanks for another great video Al.
I switched from those plastic risers to flexible pipe because I would hit them with the lawn mower or run over the sprinkler head and crack the riser. My biggest irrigation problem is spots covered by evergreen trees and they block the sprinklers and cause dry spots in the lawn.
I find that those snap off risers snap off by themselves over time. The solid grey risers are not as easy to work with, but rarely break.
I've never touched a sprinkler system and this is my project for this holiday weekend. Def a good video and I feel confident that I can replace all my heads 😌
Being a new home owner this video helps a lot! I have two heads that need to be changed. I have a well established lawn and just want it to keep looking healthy and green!
Straight to the point and informative. Thank you. Have to replace a sprinkler head and riser for the first time and don’t have nobody for guidance so thank you!
Every year, in the spring, I'm doing irrigation maintenance. Replacing sprinklers, valves, adjustments, solenoids, etc.
Very helpful video. Well explained and it should give confidence to anyone thinking about doing irrigation repairs themselves. Bravo sir👏👏👏
Just added a riser to one sprinkler head in my lawn, but was unsure of how to cut it to length. This video was very helpful. I already have that tool that you used to cut the riser to the correct length. Now I can do it myself! Thanks!
I installed my own irrigation from the branch off the main inside the house all the way out to heads. I used hose clamps on everything, poly pipe on barbed fittings, tape on all threaded connections. 2 years ago I replaced all the valves but everything else remained form the original install back in 1996.
Also added a special backflow device so I can add a fertigation tank
I have just started taking over my sprinkler systems, thanks for the tips !
I did this for a couple years for a irrigation company. As long as everything under ground is in good shape it really is a super simple fix.
I just laid my pipes in the shape of a turkey leg so I'm all good!
@@5-Sigma lmao!
This sure is timely! I just finished replacing six sprayer heads by my sidewalk from the hodge podge of random heads to a consistent pressure regulated and check valve setup. So many weird things the previous owner of the place did to keep things running, including two 8 inch sprayer heads that were used for some reason. Thank goodness for risers!
I'm definitely planning a DIY irrigation setup. I find peace in dragging hoses around in the morning, but it's time to put some lines underground. Great video Al!!
Well done & thank you! Very helpful to this 73 yr. old. handy man. I nearly subscribed.
(Side note: college day reference not appropriate, unless grand children remembering grandpa's subtle, salacious humor vs appropriate spiritual discernment/modeling is your intent in your advanced years).
2 Corinthians 10:5
Great video & tips. Thanks for producing and sharing.
Good and timely video. Gives me a boost of confidence. I just paid $227 for my sprinkler company to turn on the sprinklers since winter and replaced a head. Yikes, I'd like to save money if I could learn from your knowledge. I'm clueless how techs twist the controls back and forth on the sprinkler tops to adjust water throw. Please do a video on simple adjustments we can make on sprinkler heads. Also, how to shut off or turn on systems when winter and spring occur. I have the problem of squirrels sharpening their teeth on the soft plastic heads. Thanks!
Nice video AL! Always enjoy learning something new from you
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Yes, more irrigation videos! Anything for when your solenoid/valves are making a loud "clicking/ticking" noise when they are on and how to fix it?
As a single woman, taking care of my home..this is Super helful..thank you!
Awesome information. So needed this. I can do it!
I've got a bucket full of sprinkler parts, I use Hunter sprinkler heads I haven't had much luck with the rainbirds or orbits never tried the toro ones though, Maybe I'll have to check it out one day!
Excellent explanations! Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Bought a brand-new house last fall and I'm looking forward to getting out in the lawn here in Iowa this spring. Would love to see more stuff on irrigation. Gotta keep that new sod looking good.
Great tips! Next you need to come help me swap out all my heads 🤣 those Toro heads look pretty sweet
Literally just what I needed cuz I was about to do this 😅
Cool to see these videos from you. What is nice about the Toro T5 head you used is that it offers a 5" pop up height compared to the standard 4" used, so its best for your St. Augustine which grows tall. It is also super easy to set.
Awesome video. I needed this one. Thanks!
Great video. Love your “college” humor. Too funny!
Thanks, just replaced my first sprinkler fatality from the snow plow a week ago
We had a new system installed last summer. Now the fun begins finding and removing the heads and old PVC pipes from the last 2 systems from 40 years or so. 😂
I feel like irrigation is a constant upkeep/maintenance piece of DIY lawn care. Gotta make sure things are always working otherwise you’ll see it in the lawn and then your scrambling to fix it.
What's great about st augustine is you don't have to be too over the top with making sure the heads are really low to the soil.
Good stuff Al! Every spring it seems there are a couple of items in my irrigation that needs some attention. Not that hard to do.
Threaded fittings specifically made for sprinklers do not require teflon tape because they are made from a softer plastic, which is in essence self-sealing.
awesome, great information.
Thanks again brother
Keeping tugging like that (2:30) and the lawn won’t be the only thing I’m excited about 😏
good work
You have to watch out for them threaded females 😂😂😂🤙🏾 Great Video Uncle Al 😊🙏🏾
awesome video, is there on that is dummy proof how to set the heads water distance.
Informative, thanks. 90' s.
Also where can I find regular old green Lawn Donuts at? Only style my Lowes is carrying right now is some goofy octagon shaped one that's very rough and not clean looking at all. It seems like the standard clean, smooth, 6 1/2" green lawn donuts can't be found right now...
Thanks for the encouragment.
I learned years ago about those cut to fit risers. At first I only bought one or two at a time...then one time I saw there was an tire pack (i think 10 to a pk) for about what 2 or 3 of the singles cost. Just pick yourself up a couple of those packs and you will be good for years to come.
How do you determine the sprinkler head height? Have two Hunter PGP 4 inchers that are sunk in pretty good. Got risers but definitely stuck on how high they need to go. Thanks for any advice and appreciate your videos.
Wow the perfect video as I just got home from Lowes. I got a quick question for you....I'm about to use grubex as per your recommendation but was also planning on spraying Ironite....was going to apply the grubex then water it as I lay down the Ironite...would that mess anything up? Greetings from Orlando from a fellow South Floridian. What part of South Florida are you in?
Both of those need to be watered in so you can do both same day, then water it all in together. I'm in Bradenton. Been super dry here this year so far.
@@TheLawnCareNut thanks so much man I’m about to do it right now as the sun is going down I do have 2 mini schnauzers that go out to the yard every 30 minutes will these products be harmful to them?
Hi Allen,
Why did you use a 1/2 to 3/4 adapter?
The irrigation head has 3/4" threads and the elbow that was already in the ground has 1/2" threads. So I really had no choice other than to use the reducer that I did. Most sprinkler heads are set up this say way here in Florida.
Wondering can i apply Compost Tea to my lawn for microbes bennifits
Where can I purchase the doughnuts? I've looked and looked without any luck!!
here it is on Amazon with an inflated price amzn.to/41OJbLN I paid $30 for it at the store.
@@TheLawnCareNut thanks. But I mean the concrete doughnut to protect the sprinkler head.
@@williefree7089 They usually have them at the big box stores but you can get those online as well.
Hey nut, great video. I haven’t used my irrigation in a few years, and I’ve put some Bermuda sod down since the last time. I want to start using my irrigation again but have to do a few fixes, one being the blowback has to be replaced and I do remember one head leaking bad. How can I find the heads that were covered over with sod? I’m think the only way is to walk around with a plumber’s probe. Any suggestions?
Excellent, thanks!
Needed this
Might as well use sand for everything since Florida is pretty much once big sandbox.
One thing you didn't mention is when you unscrew the old sprinkler head, DO NOT get dirt down inside the line. For you that was the last sprinkler head on that run so if dirt did get down in there and once you turn the sprinkler on it will only plug up the one head. My luck last year was when I replaced one of the sprinkler heads, it was the first head in the run and dirt fell down in the line. Once the water was turned on that dirt ended up getting into the next three heads and I had to take them all apart to clean them out.
Watching this, I was seriously stressed regarding dirt falling, but he didn't really expand into the importance of not getting any/cleaning out the line. Surprised, because you are correct, it's a biggie.
Is that your preferred sprinkler? I have the 90, 180 degree kind and they don't seem to water well here in Central California. I do have a lot of hardpan here.
when buying replacements, are all replacements standard size? (i know not the height part)
After you swapped out the sprinkler head. How come you didn't fill the hole with the existing dirt rather than using sand?
Sand is just easier to pack down hard and level out. It doesn't settle close to what the soil would. He's also got extremely sandy soil being by the water in Florida so it works out well.
Where did you get the concrete donut? I see plastic ones on Amazon
What’s your thoughts on the hunter mp system?
I've never used those but they look pretty cool!
Great info
I recommend spraying the dirt off before removing it. Any debris that falls inside the pipe can glog the sprinkler holes.
How do you know the height to put sprinkler head? Should only the top “head” that can screw off by above ground level?
Hey Allen I was just wondering if you can just make a video of you just mowing you whole yard back and front
Do you know why I only have 1 some that won’t turn on manually ? I replaced new solenoid but that didn’t fix the issue all my other zone on perfectly when I turn them on manually but 1 zone don’t
Nice try, but I think I'll continue doing it the right way (buy removing enough soil around the body to make sure I'm unscrewing the entire unit and not just the cartridge). Also, it helps to pay particular care to avoid knocking dirt back into the feed riser or elbow when re-installing the housing, else you will have to clean the filter screens.
needed to replace a sprinkler head and cant stop thinking of minecraft building 🤣🤣 goodtimeswithscar uses the same music
weird youtube connection moment but figured i say something and see if im not the only one 😬
Dynamite video and yes I am very hesitant of working on my own irrigation system really thought that dig out tool with something is there a specific name for that thank you
I call it a "sprinkler donut tool" - you can get them at pretty much any Ace or HD/Lowes.
@@TheLawnCareNut great I'll look into it thanks
It's super easy!
@@PolarisEricson from the videos I watch looks like it is I'll just have to suck it up and give it a go
Spot on. Thanks
Allan question how can I get the tool you use to dig out the hole ? To replace the sprinkler
they should have them at Ace or HD. That's where I got mine, about $30.
Where can I buy the flexible lead hose?
Is it okay to add a head by adding a T to the end of the line? I need one more and am trying to figure out what to do.
Got a whole drawer in the tool chest dedicated to irrigation. Those adjustable risers give me nightmares. Had to raise 15 or so heads and most of those risers broke with just a bump from kids playing around. Ended up switching to solid nipples.
What can I put on my grass, besides fertilizer, to have it green all the time? Thank you.
Just signed up. Hope I learn from it!!!
welcome to the nut-house! 😀
Anyone help. I'm new to lawn care. I put down stress blend . I watered it in but almost two days later we had a hard rain. Do I need to reapply or should I be good.
Allyn, hope you're doing well? HELP PLEASE!!!
I just noticed what I believe to be wild Bermuda in my Empire Zoysia lawn! Not happy about that... What are some of the ways you control/eliminate wild Bermuda?
there isn't any herbicide that you can apply - I have the same issue in mine - the two blend together pretty nicely so I just live with it.
Thank you!
Thank you I have one to repair.
Two most useful tools: 1)riser removal tool for when riser breaks flush. 2) PVC rachet cutter. Just buy them.
Anyone used Hunter MP rotator heads? I was thinking of switching to those to save on water costs. They’re supposed to be more efficient.
I had a bad batch of toro heads. They would not retract back down. Unfortunately by the time I swapped them it was to late for the return. They knew it was a bad run of them out in the field. I switched brands.
well that sucks, I didn't know that happened.
I agree Toro sprinkler is junk. I prefer Rain Bird.
I use a tulip bulb planter to dig a clean hole around the head, no digging
that's a great idea!
Nice! I use a Hori Hori tool which cuts through the ground pretty well.
"Threaded female... yeah... those were my favorite in college." LOLOLOL
If using Teflon tape “added frustration” you’re doing something wrong. Practice until you’re proficient and having tape on makes future disassembly easy.🤷♂️ Thank for the content that’s really helpful. ✌️
I'm a DIYer. I do this once a year. No need to be proficient. Just accurate enough. If I owned a company, same deal. Why add cost when there is no benefit?
Why use it where it's not needed though. Those plastics are soft, so when you screw then on tight, they sorry if self-seal, and the pressure in the system is minimal since water is always coming out, so no real need for additional tightening
Its too bad in Florida then run 1/2 line to 3/4 huge rotor heads. The first water pressure drop, you just got the trickle effect.
Why not use a flex pipe for the sprinkler connection instead of hard threaded riser?
“If it leaks, who cares?”
Your wallet when the water bill comes “😩”
The head comes up roughly 6” why not sink the base down another inch and eliminate the potential of ever hitting it with the mower or needing a donut.
I mow tall. The previous owner hit it, I never will
Keeping the head up taller also helps prevent the parts from being worn down over time from dirt/sand in the soil that get drug across the seal and into the unit when the head retracts after use.
Perfect
Hey, Alyn...have you used the rainbird r-van sprinkler heads? They are super adjustable and the spray pattern looks really cool. I would be stoked to see you review the different types of sprinkler heads. I replaced my standard misters with the r-vans and I love them.
I put the r-van's in a couple years ago. Love mine
I don’t even have to dig my sprinkler heads out I just unscrew them pull them out and put the new one in .
I see that you didn't tape the threads. Won't it leak without it?
I need to get irrigation put in for my front lawn hopefully theres a sprinkler head that can handle the enormous 300 sq ft lol
😁
My favorite part was when you put it in the hole