How to know a head needs replacing
Heads wear out and get hit by mowers. A head that is cracked, leaks around the base, does not pop up, will not retract or sprays in a weak or broken pattern is usually cheaper to replace than to repair. Geysers of water are the clearest sign, and a broken head can waste a lot of water, so shut off the zone as soon as you see one.
If the head only needs a cleaning or an adjustment, try that first. Our guide on how to adjust sprinkler heads covers the adjustments. Replace the head if the damage is to the body, the seal or the pop-up stem.
What you need
A new head of the same type as the old one, since a rotor and a spray head are not interchangeable on a zone. Match the pop-up height, the thread size and the nozzle or arc. Take the old head to the store, or note the brand and model number printed on it. You will also need a small trowel or hand shovel, a screwdriver, gloves, and a rag or bucket for the loose soil. Plumber's tape is optional for the threads on some risers.
Keep the replacement matched to the other heads on the zone. Mixing different heads on one zone leads to uneven watering, with some areas soaked and others dry.
Step by step
Turn off the zone at the controller, or turn off the water to the system if you can. Dig a circle of soil around the head with a trowel, keeping the sod in one piece so you can put it back. Dig down to expose the top of the riser, the pipe fitting the head screws onto.
Unscrew the old head by turning it counterclockwise. Look at the riser. If it is cracked or the threads are stripped, replace it too. Before installing the new head, briefly turn on the zone to flush out dirt from the line, since debris in the pipe is a common cause of a new head that clogs or will not pop up. Then turn the zone off again.
Screw the new head onto the riser by hand, turning it clockwise until it is snug, and do not overtighten it. Make sure the top is level with the soil. Turn the zone back on to test, adjust the arc and the radius, and check that the head pops up and retracts. Backfill the soil, press the sod back in place and water it in.
Why a sprinkler head won't pop up
The most common causes are dirt or debris jammed in the head, a clogged filter or nozzle, and low water pressure. Grass or soil packed around the head can also hold it down. Try cleaning the head and the filter screen first. Unscrew the nozzle, rinse it, and flush the line with the nozzle off.
If the head still does not rise, check whether other heads in the same zone are also weak. If every head is weak, the issue is probably pressure or a partly closed valve. If only one head is weak, the problem is the head, the riser or a break in the line next to it. Wet ground that never dries around a head is a sign of a leak.
Why a zone won't turn on
If no head in a zone runs, the problem is almost always the controller, the rain sensor, the valve or the wiring, not the heads. Start with the controller. Check that the program is set, that the zone has a run time, and that the date, time and watering days are correct. A rain sensor that is wet or stuck can also stop the whole system. Florida law requires a working rain shut-off device on automatic systems, so make sure the one on yours is not stuck or bypassed.
Next, try running the zone manually from the controller. If you hear no click or hum at the valve, the wire or the solenoid may have failed. Valves are in boxes in the ground, and opening the box is safe, but do not splice wires or replace a solenoid unless you are comfortable with it. This is where most homeowners call a pro.
Replace or repair the whole thing?
If several heads are failing, the system is old, or the zone has low pressure along its length, it is worth having a technician run a full system check, since replacing heads one at a time may not fix the real problem. Builder-installed systems in new Polk County neighborhoods often have minimal coverage that falls short as the lawn matures.
Because watering days are limited in Polk County, a dry zone costs more than it used to. Fix problems promptly, and do it before you lay new sod.
When to hire a pro
Call a sprinkler repair company for a zone that will not turn on, a valve that leaks, a mainline break, wiring faults, pump or well problems, and any job where you cannot find the cause. Ask for a written estimate that separates parts and labor. We list local sprinkler repair pros in each city.
Sources
Written by the Polk County Landscaping editorial team. Rules and prices change, so check the linked agency before you act. Spotted a mistake? Send a correction.
