Lateral Line Leak
A lateral line leak only leaks when that zone is running. You'll see water pooling near one of your zones — the repair is straightforward with a pipe cut and coupling.
Symptoms
- Water pooling or bubbling in the yard when a specific zone runs
- One zone has noticeably lower pressure than others
- Muddy area develops along a zone's pipe run
Diagnosis
A crack or break in the lateral (zone) pipe, usually from a shovel strike, root damage, or settlement.
Step-by-Step Repair
- 1
Run the zone and identify the area where water is surfacing.
- 2
Turn off the system. Dig to expose the leaking section of pipe.
- 3
Cut out the damaged section with clean, square cuts.
- 4
Cut a replacement piece of Class 200 PVC pipe to fit with couplings.
- 5
Glue all joints with PVC primer and cement. Let cure.
- 6
Run the zone to verify the repair. Backfill once confirmed.
Parts Needed
- •Class 200 PVC Lateral Pipe × 1
- •PVC Coupling × 2
- •PVC Primer & Cement × 1
Pro Tips
- Lateral line pipe (Class 200) is thinner than main line — don't accidentally use Schedule 40 for a Class 200 repair or vice versa.
Prevention Tips
- Mark irrigation pipe runs before doing any yard digging projects.
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