Simple Guide to Irrigation Repairs | Ask This Old House

In this video, This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey teaches host Kevin O’Connor everything he needs to know to make simple irrigation repairs on his own.
SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: bit.ly/Subscrib....
Kevin O’Connor meets plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey back at the shop to discuss irrigation repairs. Kevin admits to having three irrigation punctures of his own, so Richard shows him the difference between standard plumbing connections and irrigation fittings. Then, Richard demonstrates how to make repairs using basic irrigation parts and tools.
Ventilation is always important in a kitchen. It prevents unnecessary humidity from building and can help eject smoke if that casserole gets away from you. But, when it comes to gas appliances, a properly-exhausting hood or microwave is critical for keeping potentially harmful contaminants out of the house. Here's how to install a vented microwave.
How To Repair the Tubing
After matching up the damaged tubing with fittings and a piece of replacement tubing, repairing the pipe is simple.
1. Start by making fresh, square cuts on the existing tubing and slipping the ring clamps over the tubing.
2. Working on one side at a time, use the heat gun to warm the tubing and, once warm, push the barbed fitting into the tubing.
3. Stretch the repair pipe between the fittings to measure it and then cut the tubing to length.
4. Place a clamp over the tubing and warm the end with a heat gun and, once warm, push it onto one of the barbed fittings on the existing tubing.
5. Repeat on the other side before using the hose clamp pliers to tighten all the clamps.
Where to find it?
Richard explains connectors for irrigation repairs, how to choose the correct size, and how to install it.
Barbed Fittings [amzn.to/3UPHECY] - Available for tubing sizes from ¼-inch up to 1-inch. The sharp barbs of the connection hold the fitting in place. Stainless steel locking clamps can be used to make the connections even tighter.
Compression Fittings [bit.ly/3ZCrrSd] - These are low-cost fittings very popular because of their full-flow characteristics and they are easy to install.
Threaded Fitting [bit.ly/438mNi4] - Often used to connect components like threaded risers so they don’t leak.
Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects around the house? Join This Old House Insider to stream over 1,000 episodes commercial-free: bit.ly/2GPiYbH
Materials:
Ring clamps [amzn.to/3LinNcc]
Barbed fittings [amzn.to/3UPHECY]
Replacement tubing [amzn.to/41osib6]
Tools:
Tubing cutter [amzn.to/3AgjSGU]
Heat gun [amzn.to/3H0L7bZ]
Hose clamp pliers [amzn.to/43RPKPq]
Plus, download our FREE app for full-episode streaming to your connected TV, phone or tablet: www.thisoldhou...
About Ask This Old House TV:
From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment-your home.
Follow This Old House:
Facebook: bit.ly/ThisOldH...
Twitter: bit.ly/ThisOldH...
Pinterest: bit.ly/ThisOldH...
Instagram: bit.ly/ThisOldH...
Simple Guide to Irrigation Repairs | Ask This Old House
/ thisoldhouse

[@ej45rpm]

I caught that moment when Kevin questioned the pressure in the piping. What Rich should’ve explained: the water will always be going to a sprinkler, so the pressure won’t be max in the pipes.

[@gradywray5391]

Exactly. Often times pressure in irrigation systems is actually much higher than in the house. 80-120 psi. We then step it down from there to 30-60psi for sprinklers or drip irrigation.

[@kenmore01]

I have always seen PVC pipe and it always has high pressure. The mocking of a sprinkler is wrong, in fact, they need more pressure than most things in your house. This looks more like drip irrigation, but they never clarified that point. Of course for drip, you would reduce the pressure; but for "normal" irrigation, you would have high pressure or a dead lawn.

[@jnesper7]

Agreed. In a rotor or spray body zone, you’ll usually need a minimum of 30psi, and anything between the valves and source will often be holding that pressure constantly.

[@Kirmo13]

I love every one of Richard's appearances

[@Silky_boi]

Granted I’m in California, but I’ve never seen that type of tubing here for irrigation. Typically out here we use PVC pipe and UV rated vinyl tubing for drip systems.

[@mitchdenner9743]

We use pvc here on the east coast too.

[@SalvadorSTMZ]

My house has white PVC but they used thin one that looked like the black tube in the video. I have had to replace some.

[@mitchdenner9743]

@@SalvadorSTMZ pex

[@gradywray5391]

We use sch 40 pvc and poly pipe for all of our sprinkler and drip systems here in Central Valley CA.

[@danicastillo7743]

I do use all of them together depending on where I’m placing the irrigation, how much water is needed, and still sometimes need to water with a hose too (209 kinda hot sometimes), I try to avoid drip systems bc it’s not effective for my requirements here but I use drip system in another location 5000 miles away and for starting crops. Irrigation is always a custom made and designed system, it’s not the same watering next to a vernal pool than next to a lake, neither the sun in the desert and the sun in England,

[@Skammerd]

The stakes for the Christmas lawn ornaments have gotten me a few times. Often, you don't even need a patch pipe. The hole/cut is small enough to cut out and connect the two ends with the insert and clamps and call it a day.

[@peehandshihtzu]

The fittings are a lot easier to get into the pipe if it's been laying in the sun for a while. :)

[@chuckmccracken4100]

I use PVC all the time for sprinklers in Arizona

[@LaFox23]

Spray heads need around 40 psi to preform properly. Usually in the irrigation mainlines it’s at city mains pressure which can be 60-120 psi. Definitely don’t say they are at a lower pressure than the house.

[@patrickbrady5903]

I don’t have an irrigation system, but I’ll learn how to fix it if I ever get one

[@aaronbaraiya3692]

Yes

[@bobjoye4195]

Can you add a filter system with a salt system

[@esproducciones1443]

What are the 5 types of cuts?

[@01aharley]

How about a sprinkler system that has different zones but one head continues no matter what zone is going? It’s not the diaphragm, could it be the valve in the box? Who knows who cares is where I’m at

[@gradywray5391]

If you have a constant leak from a sprinkler head, could be a few things. First if you don’t have check valve sprinklers, the lowest sprinkler on the zone will always drain out all the excess water in the system. Second, either diaphragm is not seating properly or is broken. Third, could be a faulty solenoid that’s not closing all the way. If none of that explains it, just replace the valve.

[@bernadetteculmer5875]

How to Put on a new foundation for my house

[@rheticus6673]

Poly isn't that prevalent and most systems run at 35 to 45 psi at the heads

[@evanstedman7405]

Yeah you might use a heat gun or a torch during the installation of the complete irrigation system but for one or two repairs at a time the best way to make the poly malleable enough to get the fitting into the pipe is to use a container (small enough to easily hold by hand but big enough to easily get the pipe ends in) filled with hot (not boiling) water and allow the pipe to absorb the heat. That will make the poly soft enough. This also works with garden hose material if you need to repair those.

[@ryanhessler8966]

I'd have already torched it and installed it by time you filled something with hot water....great idea if you don't have a torch or heat gun, but certainly not easier

[@johns5127]

I’d have already fixed that and buried it without ever…in my life…using either a torch or some hot water. How about you use a hammer to make thr fittings “malleable”. Why would either of you comment on a video instructing people on how to do something when it’s obvious neither of you have any idea what you’re talking about? Go back to work at home in your basement

[@ryanhessler8966]

Gotta say, once again a how to video with very little how to. This was more explanation on how the systems are setup than how to repair.

[@kurtkennedy5051]

Agreed, the title didn't match the content.

[@Nite20fly]

❤❤❤

[@xBRVTALx]

Why even make this video? Almost zero information.

[@vapeurdepisse]

This guy is really acting like a fool

[@michaelklein496]

After watching the video advert i was still skeptical. But when i finally downloaded the plans kzbin.infoUgkxZF0EMnrujZvqHhGkxiz559uIABJWR9TG i was very impressed. The whole plan was just as you said in the video. Thank you very much. I now have a large and valuable collection for my woodworks. This is great!

[@jjgilroy8363]

Would it ep0sssto see tyhee pyic tsnk. Msde twiit 3 55 gsl bsrrelldsb

[@jeffdooley9724]

There is so much wrong with this video. I'm an irrigation professional.

[@akoznasovajusername]

Explain it.

[@chrisreschke4697]

Also a professional irrigation tech and I agree with Jeff. Who carries a heat gun??? Also mainline irrigation systems in my area are subjected to 100-110 psi all the time. They are connected BEFORE the house pressure reducer and run on city pressure, which can be very high.

[@some0ne8]

@@akoznasovajusername Do you ask your accountant to explain the tax code to you? Your dentist how to pull teeth? It's years of professional experience that you can't just type in a quick comment. I mean I get it, they have to keep their TV bit brief, but fixing a damaged poly line in the ground isn't as simple as cutting it and putting a coupler in (well, for me as a pro, it is, because I do it a hundred times a season). Anyway, you do what you do best, I'll do what I do best. Maybe we'll hire each other.

[@jimsackerman]

​@@some0ne8 If my dentist replied on a video about pulling teeth, on a platform that we can use for sharing knowledge, then yes - I would expect my dentist to explain what was done incorrectly and why it would be better left to a professional. I had a hole in my sprinkler line and performed a similar fix. It has held up well for 2 seasons, but if there is something I could have done differently it would be nice to know.

[@mr.g937]

​@@some0ne8 if someone posts a comment on KZbin, then yes the onus is on them to explain it. Otherwise shut up

[@ricksampson6780]

Richard is overweight.

[@zunedog31]

Rick has no manners.

[@brian-nz3jg]

I just irrigated my back 40 before. Those pretzels were making me thirsty that's why !!!!!!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@scottrobertson5639]

The most important thing anyone with irrigation needs to know is never tell the truth when you call to have it fixed, have 7 leaks? Just tell them you need a nozzle! That way the worker get over scheduled and dies from a stress induced heart attack! You can probably save money that way!