Short answer
Turn the sprinkler controller off first. Dig a small circle around the broken head with a trowel and set the sod aside. Unscrew the head counterclockwise and keep dirt out of the open pipe. Take it to the store and buy the same type and height. Screw the new one on by hand, run the zone to flush it, and pack the soil back so it sits level with the ground.
How to replace a broken sprinkler head
1A broken head turns into a fountain
A mower or a tire usually snaps the top off. When the zone runs, water shoots straight up and floods that spot.
Read all the steps
- A broken head turns into a fountain. A mower or a tire usually snaps the top off. When the zone runs, water shoots straight up and floods that spot.
- Turn the controller off. Set the sprinkler controller on the wall to Off so no zone starts while you work. You do not need to shut off the house water.
- Dig a small circle around the head. Cut a circle about 6 inches out with a trowel. Lift the sod in one piece and set it aside. Dig until you see the fitting below the head.
- Unscrew the old head to the left. Turn it counterclockwise while you hold the pipe steady. Cover the open fitting so no dirt falls in, and take the old head to the store.
- Screw on the new head and test it. Tighten it by hand, run the zone to flush out dirt, then aim the spray. Pack the soil back so the head sits level with the lawn.
- Still not fixed? Call a landscaper Especially if: the pipe or the fitting under the head is cracked, not just the head.
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How to buy the right replacement
- Same type: a spray head (a fixed fan of water) or a rotor (a stream that turns slowly). Mixing them on one zone waters unevenly.
- Same pop-up height: 4 inches is common in lawns, 6 inches or more for tall grass or beds.
- Same inlet size (most heads take a ½ inch thread) and, if you can, the same brand.
- Same spray pattern: quarter, half or full circle is printed on top of the nozzle.
What not to do
- Do not run the zone for days with the head missing. Dirt gets into the pipe and clogs the other heads.
- Do not crank the head with pliers. Plastic threads crack, and then the riser or the fitting below needs replacing too.
- Do not leave the new head sitting high. A head above the grass gets hit by the mower again.
- Digging a new trench or going deeper than a few inches? Call 811 first. It is free and marks buried lines.
When to call a landscaper
- The pipe or the fitting under the head is cracked, not just the head.
- Water keeps flowing at that spot even with the controller off.
- Several heads break every season (the water pressure may be too high).
- The whole zone sprays weakly after the repair.
Frequently asked questions
Can I replace a sprinkler head myself?
Yes. Most heads unscrew by hand from the pipe below, and the job takes about 30 minutes with a trowel. Turn the controller off first and keep dirt out of the open pipe.
Do I need to turn off the water to replace a sprinkler head?
Usually not. Each zone valve stays closed when the zone is not running, so turning the controller off is enough. If water flows at the spot with everything off, a valve or the main line leaks: call a pro.
Why is my sprinkler head shooting water straight up?
The top of the head is broken or missing, often from a mower or a tire. Water escapes through the opening instead of the nozzle. Replace the head.
How do I know which sprinkler head to buy?
Take the old one to the store. Match the type (spray or rotor), the pop-up height, the inlet size and the spray pattern on the nozzle.
Why is there dirt in my new sprinkler head?
Dirt fell into the pipe while the head was off. Unscrew the nozzle, run the zone for a few seconds to flush it, rinse the small screen under the nozzle and put it back.