How to raise a sprinkler head in under 5 minutes

[@sl0pper]

just a heads up for anyone trying this, if your dirt is dry soil is going to fall into the fitting no matter what you do, so if you have a system that hasnt been running and your dirt is too dry you might as well just dig it up to avoid a number of inconveniences. if you really care about the look of your lawn i recommend grabbing a tarp or a garbage bag to put the dirt on so the cleanup is a simple as dumping it back into the hole with no leftover dirt on your grass. ive been a sprinkler tech for 2 years so ive done just about everything there is to do with sprinklers and im just trying to help people with knowledge i wish i knew when i started

[@sl0pper]

one more thing i forgot to mention, if the head youre trying to raise is in a low spot in your yard, theres a pretty good chance that waters going to immediately start pouring out if your sprinklers ran recently, so be aware of that as well

[@ryanbeat5828]

I always pour a bit of water around the head BEFORE wobbling and removing it. It firms up the soil so no dirt will fall in. And good the new rotor often slides smoothly down the hole in the most satisfying way 👍🏻

[@badtolz2122]

"Heads up" get it

[@bryans9803]

Super clear video with good pacing and no unnecessary fluff. Fantastic job.

[@flukeofficial]

Agreed. One of the most overlooked skills by tutorial video makers.

[@lisachauvin]

I need to raise 5 of my sprinkler heads. You’ve given me the confidence to do this myself. Thanks!

[@domr.204]

short and sweet ,right to the point , no acting , comedy skits , say hello to my dog,... this is my wife , i love to hear the birds singing .etc u know what i mean , thank you .

[@augenmaugen]

All KZbinrs need to read this.

[@GrassDaddy]

I love how perfect the lawn & soil are, that plug looks perfect haha

[@Sattva468]

A+++ tutorial, had no idea Bill Pullman got into sprinkler repair but glad he did.

[@davewilliams9718]

Be sure to turn your rotor fully to the right (or left) then note where your nozzle arrow is clocked before removing the head. That way you can be certain to put it back in the same position after install.

[@RickyP033]

Rises, while convenient will often not last; especially with the large sprinkler heads. What I do is use pvc, glue, and the appropriate male/female attachments on each end. Also, if you DO get dirt in the hole...run the system for a few seconds with just the body attached.

[@archielandreman1259]

Are the risers too flimsy to last long term? Any particular type of glue?

[@asoggyburger479]

@@archielandreman1259 I’m learning this as we speak lol installed a cheap riser from Lowe’s last spring, broke during its first winter. I’m going to try the riser again but nudge it away from the driveway slab. I think taking the time to do it right like mentioned above or even using a swing assembly will be better. However, if your soil is stable, you can probably get away with it. Mine is Oklahoma red clay so it swells and contracts a lot with moisture content.

[@janestewart3231]

@RickyPO33, Thanks for answering my “what if” question that popped into my head watching the video. Good suggestion, too about the PVC pipes.

[@TuanNguyenX]

The shortest but most effective video on the topic. I'm ready to raise one this afternoon.

[@MMDX70]

I've done this many times and it's never that quick and easy but method is correct.

[@mortyharenza9854]

I thought I would add my experience with raising two sprinkler heads on my Southwest Florida zoysia lawn. It is virtually impossible to make a neat circle around the sprinkler head. I was forced to use a hunting knife (shovel did not help) to cut through the roots. I dug the soil out by hand until I cleared 5 inches deep. I did as suggested an shook the sprinkler head and compacted the sides. I unscrewed the entire unit, the the hole filled the bottom with water from the system and sediment settled into the tube. I attached a 2 and a half riser from HD. I used my wet and dry vac to clean out the tube and excess water. This worked fine, then replaced the head. I have to replace the sod. The job but not complicated.

[@thechef33]

It’s better to just dig all the way down to the PVC - it’s only a few more inches...should never have to run a wet vac working on sprinklers.

[@brianb4745]

Very well explained. As a professional I would just take the old rotor out completely and dig back until I found the funny pipe or flex PVC (however it was connected) and install a new rotor onto the funny pipe elbow. I can’t see having to go through this process again when the rotor stops turning. I hate call backs. If a rotor needs to be raised we toss the old one and replace.

[@JEK]

Cool tutorial. Those pop-up heads are great, just like the pro stadiums use.

[@BRISTOLFORCE2009]

No rainbird 5000’s r residential

[@AveiroDan]

Good, informative video.... I Wish you would have turned the sprinklers back on to see what the revised height looked like. Maybe on the next one.

[@keepmovin3]

This was a huge help, since I am replacing a head that's been in the ground at least 25 years. Between the rocks and roots, there is just no way to dig it out. Thanks!

[@lawnrebel]

glad that it helped you. Super easy to do as well.

[@bizzybits1918]

The body was too tight to unscrew by hand, but I found a tool to shove inside to catch the ribs and that worked. Yay.

[@firehawk6188]

I just went through this with a few of my sprinkler heads. Good relatively easy DIY as long as you don't let a big blop of crap drop down the hole when the head's out. :)

[@sptrader6316]

If you get a blob of dirt in there, remove just the top section and turn on that zone to flush the dirt out, then replace the top section of the head with the nozzle.

[@robkeshav800]

Great video. Any suggestions/tools for removing sprinklers where there are lots of roots. I could not remove the sprinklers as there were so many roots wrapped around the sprinklers. Thanks.

[@johnkosheluk1041]

I love how the grass was cut so perfect

[@wiredawg2005]

if only my "soil" looked that great. LOL...

[@andriajones5413]

Right?

[@gaypreator8547]

The entire time hoping you do not break existing threads off at connection. Great tricks of the trade when things go as planned. 🙂

[@peterjohnson8469]

You made that look so easy. I know I’m gonna be swearing like crazy tomorrow. 🤦‍♂️

[@lawnrebel]

It's really quite easy. You'll be fine

[@teaglet]

Add a cup of water around the head before moving it, that will secure the side walls from collapsing

[@trevormuggeridge4560]

Great advice on your pop ups, I bet you can’t wait for the mow Connor.😁👍👍

[@tb6651]

You’ll also need to make sure the angle of coverage is identical to the original, add another minute.

[@51mlevy]

Very easy steps! Thanks!

[@badtolz2122]

Also....if soil isn't packed around sprinkler or nothing under sprinkler body, once you step on sprinkler, hit it with mower, etc, the extension can snap.

[@trevorcearley927]

How snug do you tighten the extension and the new you piece for reinstall?

[@KruiserIV]

Pro tip: if you happen to get debris or dirt down in the hole before re-installing the sprinkler use a shop vac to vacuum out the dirt and debris!

[@ML_1515]

Or turn on the water?

[@KruiserIV]

@@ML_1515 and risk eroding more back into the hole? Sure.

[@coffeegeek54]

I have Hunter I20 sprinkler head - wondering where you purchased riser. Hoping to grab something from Home Depot if they carry.

[@jimmcdiarmid7308]

In my area HD has risers in various heights

[@elzorro7235]

How much should sprinkler heads pop up out of the ground when deployed?

[@rdawson64]

I like u your technique. I have a bunch of water fill the hole (few gallons). How did you get it so the water doesn’t flow into the hole?

[@jimmyboy8507]

Try not to change/adjust heads soon after running system.

[@shanefrank3281]

Great tutorial. Do you have to cut along the smooth, non-threaded part of the shaft, or can you cut anywhere? You said you needed 2" but cut at 2.5" because I assume you might have issues threading it in to the bottom of the sprinkler head if you cut in the threaded portion. Is that true?

[@mrBDeye]

Cut the riser an extra 1/2 inch longer so that it threads into the bottom of the sprinkler head.

[@Chris-29]

Dude that looked soo easy I'm going to try that. My sprinklers heads are pretty low

[@lawnrebel]

It is easy

[@Kildahl1776]

Or take another scoop of dirt out and rock it upward. You'll need to know where the swing pipe is. Risers are such a pain.

[@Twister051]

Connor - 1st, your lawn looks AWESOME! Well done!!! 2nd, why did you want to raise the sprinkler head? Your lawn is mowed so short the grass wasn't getting in the way of the water stream. ???

[@lawnrebel]

It was too deep. It I let the mowing get away from me at all the taller blades block the spray

[@Frank020]

so proffesional. I always get mud dirt in there, and cant find those risers.

[@keithowu]

I have Rainbird heads, both rotors and pop up spray. Does this technique work on both kinds of heads?

[@Phormify]

Yes it does. The difference is with the small popups and the smaller rotors you use a 1/2" cutoff riser. The larger rotors and impact heads use a 3/4" riser. If you just need to raise the heads and your soil is cooperative this can work. Otherwise if you have loose soil which could clog the pipe you may need to dig down a bit more to expose the actual connection. Then it is a matter of unscrewing the head, adding the riser, and screwing it back in.

[@keithowu]

@@Phormify Thank you very much!

[@cubeweaver]

Dammed! My headache issue was solved! 👍👍👍

[@Mr.Sr.Jr.]

That was great apart from the very end when you forced the piece of sod you cut to fit back in place. I would recommend bringing a pitchfork that you can use to peel away the outsides of the hole that way you can put the plug in and then you can step the outsides back in to ensure perfect sod replacement where you can't even tell anyone was there whereas forced down and forcing it to fit will make it take some time before the grass heals in where the roots don't match up perfectly as they would if you would have used a pitchfork. 👍

[@nopeno6514]

I use a spryer to wash dirt off the tread before putting back in place

[@gimmeagig]

Nice job!

[@DJiMike1]

Teflon not needed?

[@AlexJenkins]

Do risers break easily if the ground shifts over time? Is this a short term solution?

[@Phormify]

They don't tend to break - I'm in the North with freeze thaw cycles and I've used risers on dozens of heads and never had an issue. Sometimes when digging up old heads you find they already have a riser so you can just add another extension and you're good to go. The only time this might be an issue would be if there is no funny pipe (flex pipe) between the main line and the head because in that case if the ground shifts or a heavy vehicle tire runs over the head there isn't any flex so it could snap the riser. However if you have the flex pipe it won't be an issue.

[@freedomranch6094]

Good job, next time take the 2” of dirt of the bottom of the plug before putting back on

[@clackamas2]

Why not add more heightso it is flush with the soil? That way it will save you doing it so often. Nice trick btw.

[@lisamatrundola3928]

I have a Rainbird system, should I buy a 3/4" or 1/2" extension riser?

[@lawnrebel]

depends on if you have .75" or .5" heads. It all depends on what size input you have on your heads.

[@miroslavvross9937]

These raisers break really easy - hate them even though they are peace of cake for adjusting heights.

[@RickyP033]

Yeah, you're right... especially with the large sprinkler heads. What I do is use pvc, glue, and the appropriate male/female attachments on each end. and

[@willmallory9085]

Thank you!!!

[@johnkosheluk1041]

If you have dirt that stays compact like that

[@lorencoen3484]

Wish I had grass soil like that, have rocks, shell, sandy soil

[@jimmyboy8507]

Maybe one other thing... repack the soil around rotor before patching turf.

[@PappasTube1]

what camera are you using?

[@lawnrebel]

Gopro Hero 6 Black and a Rode video micro mic. See the description for the details.

[@kursorken]

This is the worst riser. It broke after 5 times of use, then you have to dig it out again, and its very hard to get it out if its broken. Use the one with fixed height.

[@ryansabia8393]

Thanks dude!

[@a.r.5929]

I know its 2 years too late but what kinda grass is that

[@sharkdizogg]

Kbg

[@jaegenk7307]

Are those Hunter Rotors

[@lawnrebel]

No. Those are Rain Bird 5000 rotors. I do have a zone of Hunter MP Rotators. I like those way better than these traditional rotors.

[@jaegenk7307]

Awesome, just ordered a few Hunter Stainless I-20 to test out on a zone.

[@JS-wg4px]

Quick and easy????

[@dabney8673]

Nice video except I doubt that actually took 5 min in real time and the technique only works with a very specific soil type and head. Maybe a dense clay soil but not a version of a sandy loam and with just the right moisture content. Try that with a mist spray or anything other than a single stream rotor and any dirt will clog the nozzle. I tried that early in my irrigation career (1980's, yeah I'm an old guy) to save time but inevitably had to go back and redo it. Dig another 3 inches and you don't have to worry about it. Those cut-off extensions are handy though, no need for threaded couplings.

[@justinh6974]

I agree but the cut off risers seem to always be brittle over time. I prefer to just dig the whole head up and adjust the swing assembly or make a new one etc., Most cases I can get it done in 2.5 mins to 4 unless lots of roots. another issue with rainbird sprays...the fins on the bottom of the old ones make them harder to unthread when roots or rocks are present. hunter pro sprays spin in and out much easier.

[@jostrander71]

These poly extensions are terrible idea, they don't last and you will be replacing them. They make sch 40 or 80 3/4 and 1/2 threaded male adapters for this that are much better. but the best way to raise a head is by raising the flex pipe too, extensions are generally bad.

[@larryray4811]

Don't know how many tried this, but it don't work that easy.

[@harley8471]

I bought a tool from Sprinkler Warehouse for $15. no need to dig a hole. the tool makes easy, short work of this.

[@judeankrah973]

What tool might that be

[@paulthammaracksa2756]

lmfao seriously

[@jimmyboy8507]

It's a sprinkler head removal tool. It looks like a post hole digger. I can promise you, you'll never find one in an irrigation contractors truck. It's a home owner tool.

[@dennisalvarez2518]

Your handsome!

[@rudymaldonado667]

You get a like simply for calling it turf

[@MrGRAY54]

Baby ward 🥺

[@FreemanArno]

Smith Donna Young Michael Gonzalez Mary

[@alphonse-leanderramos8724]

That’s gonna take way more than 5 min.

[@lawnrebel]

It didn't. Only took me 5

[@Torontogonetosdon]

That’s what she said? ;)

[@rolac6109]

Real time ,it took you about 15-20 minutes

[@lawnrebel]

Nope. I timed it. Under 5 minutes

[@seananderson9346]

height-th. Funny american.

[@arnoldrodriguez6300]

Amateur hour. Don't worry about getting dirt in the damn hole just flush before you install the damn nozzles ( like it's supposed to be done) . Pls leave sprinkler system repairs to licensed irrigators.

[@zacharywood7314]

“Licensed Irrigator”, lmao. Last time I payed a “licensed irrigator” to replace (1) head and (1) control valve I paid $300. That’s $30 in parts, $270 in labor, for an hours work. Been doing my own sprinkler work since then, and let me tell you, I wouldn’t classify it as licensable work lol.

[@arnoldrodriguez6300]

@@zacharywood7314 1 head, riser or swing joint, nozzle is more than 30 dollars numbnuts then you said he replaced a valve ( there's no such thing as a control valve and you sound like an idiot saying that) the valve itself cost 30 dollars plus fittings, pvc primer and solvent not to mention the man is running a business not a charity service. A business for which he pays taxes and pays for courses to keep his license to ensure he knows proper hydraulics and design. You're just a broke ass homeowner who wants to act like Irrigation work is nothing to pay a professional for....wait until you have to locate a valve numbnuts. If the valve was 1.5 or two inches that's over $70 per valve. I've been to clients houses who do their own work. It's hilarious. Just stop acting like you know what you're doing and pls stfu