creativegardeningjoy.com » Fixing a Sprinkler

The Signs of a Broken Sprinkler

Creative Admin — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:14:35 +0000

Rocks and dirt show the signs of a broken sprinkler. We must have had a geyser gushing in our yard for about ten minutes and didn’t know it. Making repairs like these isn’t my favorite gardening activity.

Stuck Riser in a Sprinkler

Creative Admin — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:12:41 +0000

I’ve fixed broken sprinklers before. But this time, the riser is broken, and I can’t grab it with anything. What to do now?

You Know You’re a Gardener When . . .

Creative Admin — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:11:49 +0000

You know you’re a gardener when you buy a Nipple Extractor. On my trip to Home Depot, I learned that a Nipple Extractor gets out broken risers. You stick the tool in the hole and turn it counter-clockwise. Well, it didn’t work for us.

All Nipple Extractors Are Not Created Equal

Creative Admin — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:10:57 +0000

I went to Ace Hardware and asked an expert what I should do when a Nipple Extractor doesn’t get out a broken riser. His answer: ”A Nipple Extractor should get out a broken riser.” So, I decided to purchase his Nipple Extractor. It was called a Stub Wrench, and I must admit that I like that name better. When I tried it at home, it worked right away!

Puppies Are Always Helpful in the Garden

Creative Admin — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:09:55 +0000

I’m sure that having your puppy stick his head in the sprinker hole is frowned upon in the professional sprinker-fixing world.

This is Teddy, our Cavachon puppy (Bichon Frise and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel mix).

Clearing a Sprinkler Pipe

Creative Admin — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:08:01 +0000

Just in case dirt and rocks fall into the exposed sprinker pipe, it’s a good idea to turn on the sprinkers and let anything flush out.

Risers and Sprinklers

Creative Admin — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:07:24 +0000

This is what a riser and sprinkler look like. I used my existing sprinkler, but maybe I should have just bought a new one.

The Sprinkler Works

Creative Admin — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:06:15 +0000

I lined up the “fan” to where I wanted the water to spray and then screwed on the sprinkler with its new riser. It worked! I now have a deeper gardening skill level–and a Nipple Extractor and Stub Wrench in my toolbox.