Broken or Cracked Sprinkler Head
A cracked or broken sprinkler head will either geyser water, flood the area, or fail to spray properly. This is the most common sprinkler repair — simply replace the head.
Symptoms
- Water shooting straight up or flooding around the head
- Visible cracks in the head body
- Head cap or nozzle is missing
Diagnosis
The head body is physically damaged, typically from a mower strike, vehicle tire, or foot traffic.
Step-by-Step Repair
- 1
Turn off the irrigation system at the controller.
- 2
Dig around the head to expose the swing joint or riser connection.
- 3
Unscrew the broken head body from the swing pipe / fitting. Turn counterclockwise.
Hold the fitting below with pliers so you don't twist and break the pipe underground. - 4
Wrap the threads of the new head with 3-4 wraps of Teflon tape.
- 5
Screw the new head on, hand-tight plus a quarter turn with pliers.
- 6
Set the nozzle arc and radius to match the original. Run the zone and verify spray pattern.
- 7
Backfill the soil and tamp down gently. Set the head flush with the surrounding grade.
Parts Needed
- •Replacement Spray Head × 1
- •Teflon Tape × 1 — Teflon tape for threaded connections
Pro Tips
- Match the new head to the same brand and model as the existing heads on the zone for consistent precipitation rates.
- Take a photo of the old head before removing it so you remember the arc and nozzle settings.
Prevention Tips
- Mark head locations with small flags before mowing season.
- Use rubber-top heads in high-traffic areas — they're more impact-resistant.
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