Replace SPRINKLER HEAD in 5 Minutes - Rainbird - Hunter - Orbit

Easy way to replace Hunter, Rainbird & Orbit Sprinkler heads in 5 minutes. Don't pay someone else to do this easy job. No shovel, no mess. Save your lawn from summer heat and make sure your sprinklers are doing their jobs,
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Disclaimer:
This video, description & comments may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links I may receive a small commission.
Due to factors beyond the control of Silver Cymbal, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Silver Cymbal assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Silver Cymbal recommends safe practices when working on machines and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Silver Cymbal, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Silver Cymbal.

[@SilverCymbal]

Thanks for watching I hope this can help you save some money replacing a sprinkler when you need too. I try to always keep one on hand to be ready, Check the description for links to each manufacturers fine adjustments as needed.

[@SplitHairz]

If that cup of water trick works I am going to be kicking myself!!!!

[@williamkraus4524]

This trick worked great for me today!

[@hermanwashington4339]

Yes it was very helpful I'm going to be changing them myself like this just need to learn how to master the settings.

[@sandyd-rniam8601]

Thank-you for this 5 minute fix video! It's the most awesome video out there. Clear and concise❤ 100 stars!💫

[@LyingEyes-t3m]

Is there a tool that grabs the rotor or pop so you don’t have to hold it up against the spring pressure. Some kind of clamp?

[@jimpeplow2928]

I had to replace eight Sprinkler Head today and was very glad I saw your video. The method of using water to create a nice tube to pull the old sprinkler out and slide the new one in WORKED GREAT! Saved a lot of time and digging. Thank you.

[@edsnews731]

This is by far THE BEST ADVICE. Follow this guys directions. Works very well.

[@PeteOLindstrom]

oh Wow, what an absolut Easy to understand explanation. I have done this in the past but never knew this easy trick. Thanks very much

[@dagordon1]

Wow, that was easy. Thank you for explaining and demonstrating that.

[@josetrujillo9906]

I always dig up the sprinkler head because I’ve found so many sprinklers with kinked or stripped threads below ground. If I’m fixing a sprinkler, I inspect everything.

[@IanGSully]

A couple of weeks ago I went ahead and replaced all of the sprinklers in my Grandparent's system because it was an old Toro from 1999-2000 and the original Toro sprinklers were failing pretty bad. There were a couple of Newer Toros in the ground too because they have gotten chopped off with the mower because they got stuck. But my Grandpa approved the job to just go in and replace them to all Rainbird, newer or not. And some of them were even upgraded to rotors from popups. 2 pop ups were eliminated, and some were downsized from rotors to popups.

[@briankeenan1340]

Great video. Concise and informative, as usual.

[@SilverCymbal]

Much appreciated!

[@smallfgb]

Wow - was taught to dig them before I saw this by a seasoned sprinkler guy. I'll be doing it this way next time. Unfortunately I did my 2 bad heads before seeing this in my feed

[@mitchellplatin5580]

Fyi, if replacing with exact same sprinkler, then u can leave the shell in place and just replace the guts.

[@joeybro1015]

This was helpful, thank you

[@johnnymoran180]

Nice tip!

[@blakeroni]

'tis the season! Thank you, I learned a lot from this video!

[@mrpanos923]

Just changed a pgp head tonight. It wasn’t popping up and burned the grass around it. Unfortunately the head was too low and spent about an hour digging it out and then raised it a couple inches. I have several spread heads that sunk, so will be looking for a riser kit. The pgp heads are hot right now, went to 4 Home Depot’s and couldn’t find any. Will try your trick the next time.

[@SilverCymbal]

I just commented to someone else on this too. Buy them now, something is wrong and they are rout everywhere. I know amazon is a little more money but they still have them here amzn.to/2VoAY10 - But the rep told me they are having supply issues this season. Not good!

[@mrpanos923]

@@SilverCymbal I just got 3 from Amazon. So I have 2 spares. Thanks for the tip

[@SilverCymbal]

@@mrpanos923 I ordered a couple more today too. I don't want to have a broken head with this heat and no parts! Glad it helped.

[@captainedc]

This is a great idea but my soil is rock hard and had lots of rocks in it so this is very hard to dig this way. One thing i also learned is to flush them well and just as the zone is shutting off start threading the head on under a tiny bit of pressure so you dont get any rocks or dirt in the line. And you can also pull the guts completely out on pop ups once you screw it on and flush it as well. Then reinstall the guts.

[@edwincloudusa]

the dog licking the knife that we "don't care about" killed me LOL

[@tinaapostolou8375]

over the years my husband has replaced our yard (which is huge) with various heads. it's super frustrating. any recommendations if you have multiple manufacture heads all over your yard? and is it possible to put a head from one company onto the tube of another company? just curious. ty..

[@wmcomprev]

A couple of things I noticed while watching the video: 1) Aligning the right edge. Some heads say to align the left edge. The way you do it is the same, just read the instructions on the replacement head to know which edge to line up. Once this is done, turn the internal adjustment screw to set the other edge while the sprinkler is running. 2) The front adjustment screw doesn't change the flow. The nozzle size does that. The adjustment screw changes the distance that the stream shoots out of the nozzle, not the rate of water flow.

[@davidnle]

awesome, I will try to replace one this time

[@robdoesithimself2387]

Solid and useful video. Very inspiring.

[@SilverCymbal]

Much appreciated!

[@frankhahne4195]

Here is a much faster, and safer way to replace a failed sprinkler. On the new sprinkler, unscrew the large part of the replacement sprinkler head from the body, exposing the internal spring and gearing and remove from the body, do the same to the old sprinkler in the ground. Now take the new internal part and insert it in the body that is in the ground and tighten and adjust. Should take less than 5 minutes. This way there is no digging, no chance of collapse of the hole. Then discard the old interior guts.

[@qntw2000]

I am going to try this!

[@Jon-ek3rx]

Me too!

[@dciam6]

I have the existing body still in the ground and the internal part popped out. How do get the internal part to stay back in the body?

[@dciam6]

@@qntw2000did it work?

[@dciam6]

@@Jon-ek3rxhow did you get it back in? Does the internal part screw in?

[@LongHoang-zt7ci]

Thank you! I replaced the sprinkler head like a pro now!😂🤣😆

[@SilverCymbal]

So glad it helped!

[@JamesDSimon]

I’ve found that for the Hunter sprinkler in the video, I can just unscrew the mechanism from the hallow case and skip the rest of the instructions. Leaving the case in place helps prevent soil from entering.

[@glenmuccini9771]

Is there any reason to replace the case? This would make it so easy to replace without getting any dirt in the pipe. Mine was getting stuck up. Figured it was the whole unit.

[@JamesDSimon]

@@glenmuccini9771 It should be evident if the case is damaged. My experience is that damage to the case is rare.

[@romantokar4727]

Actually it is not true about the teflon tape... Hunter itself claims that you should not use the pipe dope - that is true. But also says that a Teflon tape or thread is all you need to give a good seal and lubrication. The "do not use pipe dope" is meant only for liquid sealant.

[@garylee3551]

Great tip about pouring water in the hole before removing the head!

[@tsjustme39]

Might work just fine if sprinkler head is still slightly above or at ground level, but over the years many of mine have become buried up to two inches below lawn level even though the head still pops up. When I have had to replace a head, I have to locate it (hard to do when it's below lawn level) and completely dig it out in order to put a longer riser in to raise the new head to lawn level again. Rain Bird says to use Teflon tape, too.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Yes because if it is not secure when you turn the water on the fucking sprinkler head will shoot off like a bottle rocket!

[@joebuckmaster1908]

FANTASTIC video, very professionally done. Thank you, very much appreciated, God bless !

[@mikejanczura1540]

I can change that head in one minute. You find your head you get a pair of channel locks open it up all the way you turn counter-clockwise until it comes out of the ground. You match your nozzle first then just screw it into the ground. My way or your way I call it the 90% rule. 90% of the time it will go in just as easy as it came out the other 10% what you threaded onto because of ground pressure will cock it sideways. So you're just going to have to dig the whole thing up anyway. I own my own business and parts and labor I only charge $40 a head.

[@gimmeagig]

This method works well but it would be a good idea to run the sprinkler for a few seconds before screwing the cap on so that you don't trap any particles in there.

[@rymaster4385]

Replaced several last week in my yard. Very easy to do DIY and saves hundreds of dollars.

[@SilverCymbal]

It's crazy how much they charge and around here it can take 2 weeks to get them out. Good call either way to DIY.

[@rhoda4253]

I'm gonna try this. Not handy at all. We'll see.

[@fredmorse899]

I spent 5 minutes getting covered in mud and then called an irrigation company

[@paulhenrycnd1]

Your the best, Your home tips from snow blower to sprinklers is so HELPFUL. Thank you much approach, your great content.

[@judyl.761]

Two times now, a couple years apart, a few of my sprinkler heads were weak and dribbling. I thought I should change the heads but the sprinkler repair guy showed me that it was big tree roots squeezing the lines that feed that particular zone. He dug down, found the root squeeze, cut the roots, or went around them with new line. Now the heads have full pressure and work great.

[@crisrobinson3092]

Good repairman. That isn't easy to diagnose. I'm in my 21st year working on Irrigation systems here in North Texas and I have only seen that twice.

[@williamkraus4524]

I actually used your method today to replace the sprinkler head and it was about five minutes worth of work. The idea of water around the dirt one had came out the other one slid right in tightened up I just had to adjust it. Thank you so much

[@annemcgreevy2381]

One of the best "how to" videos I have seen! Well done.

[@priayief]

Much simpler than the way I've been doing it. I'll give it a try (and I even have a Hori Hori). Thanks

[@carolapostolos8929]

Thank you!!!

[@uzomanwosu]

This is the video that I needed. I literally dug up some of my sprinkler heads last week to replace them. Definitely following these instructions for the remaining heads. Thanks!

[@pinnacleservices6671]

Any advice on leveling a sprinkler head?

[@mashed-out]

Man I finally shit canned all those plastic under ground junk sprinklers...I threaded some long galvanized steel pipes on above the ground and screwed on some of those bronze farmer impact sprinklers...never break again. Now I just mow around all of them 👍🏿

[@SolidSnake-bt8eq]

Very helpful but how do I know which sprinkler brand to use ? There’s so many shapes different sizes for the same type.

[@heroknaderi]

This video by far is the best. I enjoyed it it provided the quick tips to replace it fast. thank you.

[@ellatheevil]

Thank you so much for this video. I found the instructions for my Orbit sprinkler absolutely mystifying.

[@richieshar803]

That's why you get a bunch of s*** down in the bottom of the pipe because you don't dig it up all the way that's your problem I've been in the service industry for 30 years I wish you'd know what the hell you're talkin about

[@trekgod3]

Yeah the water trick doesn't work in Florida where we basically have beach sand under our sod.

[@cameronbonner3718]

Thanks for this video, very well done. I screwed the adjustment screw up all the out of the head of mine and water was just gushing out. I just needed an easy DIY video to replace it tomorrow

[@alexistaylor969]

When you turn the sprinklerhead to put it on you will want to start by turning it very slowly backwards until you feel or hear a kind of click. This is the threads lining up. This will prevent crossthreading which will cause leaks or failures and also make it very difficult to remove if you hit it with your lawnmower again.

[@dontwastemytime277]

I like the accent!

[@nancyrocks5924]

Fantastic video!! Straight forward and no wasted time. Thanks!!

[@thebiggestoneyouveverhad]

So upset because I hit a sprinkler head with the mower. This puts me on track to repair. Thanks.

[@rhinox3474]

My landscape guy hit mine and didn't tell me I was leaving for work and saw a 8 foot geyser in my backyard.

[@frankiecuellar]

OMG I need your help it's freaking sprinklers driving me crazy and won't stop doing a 360 clockwise I just wanted to do 180°. It doesn't stop to turn left and I have the tool I've been tightening it loosening it playing with it to see if it does anything but it just keeps doing the 360???

[@knwpsk]

Super good instructions. Easy to understand and follow. Thanks for sharing this.

[@LasVegas68]

I live in Florida and the ground is mostly sand. That was a great idea of pouring water around the sprinkler. Thanks!

[@JoseCruz-kp7ru]

I leave the shell/canister in the ground because of sand falling in and many of the big box stores don't include the nozzle tree anymore.

[@egibson7630]

Thanks for the info. I had 6 heads to replace and it took me 40 minutes to dig out the first one. I called it a day as my was aching when I came across your video. The next day I gave it a go as per your instructions and hey presto all 5 remaining changed in 40 minutes.😊

[@gpzjeffrey7974]

Nice little American Eskimo bark machine you've got there.

[@wayneseden2525]

You provided great tips and the clearest adjustment advise that I have seen from others.

[@SilverCymbal]

Thank you I appreciate that!

[@petermcsharry]

Nice video...I noticed you put the donut of grass/soil back in place. I have seen plastic donuts for sale that keep grass from growing into & over the head, or people putting sand in the donut cutout for the same reason. Your thoughts on those tactics?

[@SilverCymbal]

They seem like a good idea. Just not sure if they really stay in place. Th grass grows so tight against the head they might be helpful but i haven't tried them yet

[@jonathanscott4776]

I use a bulb planter to get rid of the grass right around each head every spring. That keeps the grass from growing into the head, allows the head to pop us easier!

[@jakestoe]

I don't even have a sprinkler system but good to know in case I can help someone. Nice video.

[@SilverCymbal]

Glad you liked it! Thank you for the nice comment too

[@mttesta]

Followed your video today... Worked perfectly! Thanks!

[@javiersanchez7997]

Lol if I did that at work that would take so much time when the process can be done under 2 mins

[@ecr125x]

Make a video and show us how instead of just talking about it.

[@gonzalorodriguezjr.7341]

I’ve been doing this for ten years and the better way is to go all the way to the bottom because you never know what you can find sometimes the saddles need to be replace this is the easy way

[@judyl.761]

Yep, when my sprinkler guy changes a head, he goes all the way to the bottom.

[@Caveman1420]

It take 30 seconds to replace to head. Just preset the head before installing. Just wiggle the head around then unscrew the whole head out the pull out the ground then put the new one in and turn to almost snug but set the right stop. If you do not understand stand call the guy and pay $200 because Joe Biden did that.

[@baddog2029]

Username checks out.

[@white0pl]

I was searching how to adjust sprinklers about 2 days. Only your vid make it right. Thanks!

[@TightWadDIY]

I recommend digging out all of the way to the fitting. Most leaks aren’t caused by the sprinkler head itself but instead are caused by a leak in the funny pipe. You also don’t want any dirt at all to get in the lines so this is just asking for trouble.

[@aaronbaraiya3692]

THIS, did not dig all the way to the bottom and now the hole is full of dirt, and will have to re-dig all the way tommorow

[@BadAssDude69]

Obviously the point is to do this if you diagnose with certainty that changing your sprinkler head will solve your issue. You can also easily flush your lines if you, by chance, get excessive dirt in them.

[@kg4955]

@@BadAssDude69 how do I flush the lines? I followed this video and all was going well until I had to go in the house - during those three minutes that I was in my house my dog dug into the hole where the sprinkler head was. I installed the sprinkler head anyway and now the sprinkler pops up but the water doesn’t come out I’m guessing because it’s full of dirt ?

[@BadAssDude69]

@@kg4955 Remove nozzle. Run zone. Clean nozzle in sink/with spigot. Reinstall. If nozzle cant be unclogged, replace nozzle - not entire head. Probably optimal to always flush new heads before installing nozzle.

[@seang.rosenstock6611]

Thanks for this video. Well explained and simple :)

[@jagergerg9771]

Looks like a Rambo Knife to me.

[@CR-ow2wp]

More like a Crocodile Dundee knife.

[@AveiroDan]

Great video, I need to replace 3 heads. This is going to save me a ton! Thanks ! :)

[@jonathansage2147]

Well that quickly turned into 2 hours. The irrigation line slowly bled water after I removed the head, which filled the hole and got debris on the threads and in the pipes. I had to dig out a much larger section to bail the water out and clear the threads. Not sure if anyone else will have my experience, but you've been warned.

[@glenmuccini9771]

That's exactly what happened to me. Now I have mud in the line and have to wait for it to clear. I bailed the water out as much as I could. Maybe vacuum it out. I don't like this way at all.

[@Dogheadman]

big thanks to you. gonna save me lots of money and save my lawn.

[@BunkMasterFlex77]

Awesome tutorial as usual

[@SilverCymbal]

Thank you so much!

[@chadportenga7858]

Tip when the sprinkler cup stays in the ground (when the head and guts unthread at the top): If you are replacing with the same make and model of sprinkler, and the cup is not damaged, you can remove the new sprinkler guts and thread it on the old cup.

[@briangeorge8321]

Great helpful video man! Appreciate it

[@janetmahoney4387]

When you screwed the head on the fitting, I counted 17 clockwise turns. When I attempt to screw my replacement head on the fitting in the ground, it's not catching. It does not feel firm and does not hold when I turn on the system. Your thoughts??

[@jonathansage2147]

The threads have dirt on them. You get to dig the whole thing out to clean them up.

[@AdrianVann]

Great video as always! Thank you

[@alonefreek]

What to do if sprinkler start moving 360 degrees? Any fix or needs replacement? Thanks

[@JEK]

haha, that dog.

[@aquienpuedainteresar4188]

Easiest way to fix a sprinkler

[@robertmeyer1618]

Looking for the Watermaster model sprinkler head adjustment video if one exists. thank you.

[@guymauve0]

Belgium win 🇧🇪🔥

[@OldAndGettingOlder]

I wish I could do this. I use Rain Bird's 6" heads. They have an optional side inlet that sticks out. You can spin these out. You have to dig them out. Mine heads are on risers. When I replace a head now I sway them over to funny pipe.

[@jakebowers9237]

If it is the rain bird maxi paw sprinkler....they make a special wrench for them and you can just unscrew the insides and take the new one out of its shell and put it in the old one! (Jake's sprinkler service )

[@user-eq1kg6bd4z]

I'm in MA too. Had to replace a couple heads last week, Hunter PGP-adj's were sold out at every Lowe's and HD in central MA. Not sure what the supply issue is. Ended up just using an online vendor.

[@SilverCymbal]

I don't want to cause a panic here, but you are right. There is something going on and most stores are sold out. The local rep tells me that there is a bit of a shortage with many models, a lot of it is high demand with the heat but there seems to be a supply problem. I would order them online while you can, as of now PGPs are available on Amazon here still. amzn.to/2VoAY10

[@jonathanscott4776]

William Johnson also in Massachusetts. I had to wait for an online supplier to get some in stock, about a week. Just ordered 10 more and the price went up!

[@JCPerez-jz5cv]

I'm in MA also, look for your nearest SiteOne store, they have everything you need for irrigation there. I belive the closest one to central Mass is in Auburn

[@stabbincabbincowbboy3770]

OooooYeah...👍🏻🤠🇺🇸

[@moxnix]

Yes it could just take just 5 min IF you have everything you need. Or quicker if you do what Mitchell Platin posted "if replacing with exact same sprinkler, then u can leave the shell in place and just replace the guts."

[@SilverCymbal]

Correct, even if it takes you 30 minutes its better than paying someone else a premium and all heads eventually faily so its a good skill to have. The issue with just doing the guts is older heads are extremely difficult if not mpossible to open up, they get build up in the threads so I find its not usually possible. Believe me I dont make sprinkler heads but I have replaced dozens of them this way. Buy a 2 or 3 pack keep them on hand so when they break you are ready

[@moxnix]

@@SilverCymbal I'm retired and I have more time than money plus I would do a better job than some = I just replace one head and installed a new 3/4" T on another where the roofing company dropped a bundle of shingles on it.

[@gavd_yo]

Thank you. Very clear instructions.

[@davidyj9013]

This looks so simple, but what do you do when the cap unscrews from the body leaving the body still in the ground? Answer: you dig a bigger hole so you can grab the body. Been there, done that.

[@eols2190]

Wuth Hunter sprinkler heads, sometimes you can't screw the body in tight enough to avoid a leak at the bade without having the default right stop position sufficiently close to where you want it to stop. In cases like that you need to unscrew the head from the base tube, and re-position it in the housing.

[@jk3898]

this may work but it is a lazy way to do it. I have had terrible sprinkler repair guys replace them this way without my knowlege and get a cross thread on the funny pipe which leaks, and which ruins the funny pipe and any new head you try to put on. The only good way to do this is to dig up the sprinkler, hold the funny pipe and unscrew, then positively screw on the new head. Then you know it is done correctly and it takes barely any longer than this method.

[@adamb1709]

So, my dog ripped off the cap for this same kind of pop-up sprinkler head… sprinkler works great… just need the cap at the top. Anyone know where I can get just the cap?

[@TheDylan6908]

When I did the original install of rotors I didn't make them crazy tight but may well have tightened to a degree that I won't be able to make adjustments by rotating the whole sprinkler or unscrewing them for replacement, ugh.

[@wstt4]

Love your videos. What do you do if the sprinkler is the lowest sprinkler of a zone so when you unscrew it water comes out the pipe? Also, what do you do if dirt gets in the hole? Thanks

[@allenwicks5428]

Thanks for sharing. Easy to understand and follow.

[@SilverCymbal]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Mach141]

If this works in the southern mix of crap my yard consists of...sand, clay and dirt...im buying you a beer!

[@juanitapancoast9445]

Beautiful, easy way. I tried to change one, not a problem but got the wrong size for the fitting. And, there was water inside, now mud. How do you know what size sprinkler head?

[@M14SINAL0A]

I noticed this was in front of your home..i have same problem...do i need to shut of water from main line in front where sidewalk(city) is..or as long as my valve is off i can still do it?

[@mrmrjims3865]

My plumber charges 100$ per sprinkler head to replace, I usually replace them once a year (6heads for 600$)

[@thejaswal]

Thank you so much, last time I paid $100 for this 5 mins job and now I want to it myself for another one that has failed to rotate (10yr+ old)

[@grilledflatbread4692]

I do not suggest using water. If you do be very sparing. A bunch of mud in the hole makes it hard to work.

[@zhiguowang1596]

I had a bad sprinkler head and tried to replace it lately. Then I found the tree root surrounding it. Man, that was a huge word to chop away the roots before I could twist the device.

[@atypical_moto]

Rotor... it's called a Rotor. If you go to an irrigation supply store, and ask for a sprinkler head, they'll look at you like you're 5 years old.

[@JD022]

How do you reattach the underground fitting to the water line? When my sprinkler head broke it took the threaded pipe along with it

[@fishmac2036]

Are the threads in the ground the same regardless of the head?

[@SilverCymbal]

They are always going to be 1/2" or 3/4" for residential sprinklers. These are 3/4" for the rotary type sprinkler shown in the video.