Clogged sprinkler pipe?

17 years ago

I had one sprinkler at the end of the line that wasn't working. When i went to fix it, I noticed that there was almost no water coming up through the pipe. I tried to let the sprinklers run to flush it out (with no sprinkler attached), but after 20 minutes, it still won't flow. Is there some kind of snake i can run through the pipe to clear it? or do i have to dig it up and try to unclog it some other way?

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polvalt
Original Author

17 years ago

Good news! the clog is gone... turns out it was just a rock clogging the pipe. Apparently, the moron that installed the system decided to put a 90 degree elbow about a foot and a half away from the last sprinkler... then used "funny pipe" to run the last foot and a half. this involved another 90 degree "funny pipe" fitting then the funny pipe, then another 90 degree "funny pipe" fitting attached to the sprinkler. the rock got caught in that first "funny pipe" fitting... stopping the flow. Anyhow, thanks for the advice!!

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Comments (6)

dchall_san_antonio
17 years ago
I just saw an ad in Family Handyman for a miniature snake, so I guess someone has one on the market.
bpgreen
17 years ago
How's the water pressure? Is it maybe just not making it that far?

Are you sure it's clogged and not leaking somewhere after the next to the last sprinkler head? The sprinkler system at my house is 20 years old or more and I've never had any clogging, but I've had leaks. The only time a sprinkler head quit completely, it was because of a leak, but there was also a jet of water going up where the leak was. I suspect there would be no water jet if the leak was on the bottom of the pipe.
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polvalt
Original Author
17 years ago
water pressure is phenomenal... no problems there, I was able to get a plastic string in the pipe and it gets stopped about 1.5 feet into the pipe. I'm going to try using some 1/8" stainless steel cable/wire to unclog it. I guess a leak is possible, i just don't want to dig it up just to find I didn't have to. I have no idea how long this sprinkler head hasn't worked. We just moved in and the lawn was less than perfect. I have found 4 sprinklers completely buried, not working, etc. This appears to be the last one to find...
bpgreen
17 years ago
Do you have secondary water? If so, make sure all the filters are clean. I don't have secondary water, but I understand the filters can clog up in a hurry.
dchall_san_antonio
17 years ago
You might try connecting a hose to the last sprinkler and back washing to break the clog. You'll need a few PVC connectors from the hardware store.