How To Repair A Sprinkler
Is your outdoor space is set up with a sprinkler system? It’s important you complete necessary work from time to time. It is particularly important to adapt your sprinkler system for winter, too. So, are you ready to get started with sprinkler repair?
Lucky you – you’ve stumbled upon our simple guide! Check out the below steps and be on your way to a perfect sprinkler system…
Things you will need
Screwdriver
Microfibre cloth
Step 1
ADDRESS THE SPRINKLER HEAD
Pop-up sprinklers (those that pop up from the ground during irrigation) must be unscrewed from their base and emptied of water, after turning off the water tap.
Tip: Make sure you plug the threaded base they have been unscrewed from in order to prevent any soil from creeping in.
Their body consists of an adjustable head from which the water jet starts, and the container in which the return spring is inserted.
The inner parts can be accessed by unscrewing the head – but check that there are no foreign bodies inside. If there are, wash and dry the components accordingly. Once complete, a thorough lubrication can then be carried out by treating the assembly with WD-40 Specialist Silicone Lubricant before putting the head back together.
Step 2
MAINTAIN THE SPRINKLER BODY
The telescopic element of the pop-up contains a steel spring that causes the dispenser to return at the end of the irrigation cycle. When the dispenser pops up and then returns, its body slides in contact with the annular opening of the body.
This sliding must take place with the least possible friction. After thoroughly cleaning the parts, the dispenser body must be treated with WD-40 Specialist Silicone Lubricant and inserted and extracted several times to best distribute the lubricant evenly. This ensures that the pop-up can easily move when irrigation water is returned to the underground circuit. The absence of lubrication causes jams and missed pop-ups (or failure to lower afterwards) during the first spring irrigation cycles. It’s useful to repeat lubrication with this product during the summer season.
Step 3
CHECK THE CONTROL BOX FOR COMPLETE SPRINKLER REPAIR
To perform a complete repair of your sprinklers, you should also see to the control unit (if any). The control unit can be of various types, from the simplest to the most complex. If it is located outside, at the end of the season the batteries must be removed (if not powered directly by the mains with a transformer) and the reachable circuits must be treated with WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner. A spray of WD-40 Specialist Water-Resistant Silicone Lubricant on the water connections keeps it in great shape for subsequent reuse.
Step 4
REPAIR THE SPRINKLER LINES
Unless they are punctured or damaged, these lines do not require any special work. Possible damage resulting from very low temperatures could affect any parts of the lines that are emerging (near the connection to the external control unit, sections that emerge from the ground at the sprinklers, etc.).
These parts should be covered as best as possible with insulating materials. During winter the lines must not be “pressurised” but “open” so that freezing doesn’t cause damage to the piping and connections.
So, there you have it!
Looking for more ways to use WD-40 around the home? Check out our other helpful blogs! Discover more amazing WD-40 uses like protecting your bike through winter and keeping your locks working.
The uses shown and described for WD-40 Multi-Use Product were provided to WD-40 Company by the users themselves. These uses haven’t been tested by WD-40 Company and do not constitute a recommendation of suggestion for use by WD-40 Company. Common sense should be exercised whenever using WD-40 Company products. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the packaging.
Contact Us
© 2025 WD-40 Company.
All Rights Reserved