Loss of pressure, geysers, dry or over-watered areas are some of the problems associated with broken irrigation lines. Free yourself from the burden of professional gardeners, take courage and shovel and fix them yourself. Your wallet will be grateful to you.
Steps
Step 1. Isolate the area where the leak is
You will need to dig, often the point where the water comes out of the ground is not where there is the damage. Once the leak has been isolated, close the water in that line or area. Make sure you have the correct diameter pipes and fittings for the repair. PVC pipes often have diameter and strength markings printed above and below.
Step 2. Dig a large enough space above and around the break, you will need some space to move around with the PVC to get a solid repair
Remove as much water, mud and debris as possible. About 8-10 cm on each side of the leak, cut the pipe with a PVC pipe cutter and be sure to clean all traces of mud from the ends (inside and out). You can put paper towels inside to prevent mud and other dirt from entering the pipes. If the pipe cracks when you try to cut it, put a little PVC primer where the blade touches the pipe, leave it for a few seconds before cutting it. This will soften the pipe making it easier to cut without cracking. Remove the broken tube but keep it aside for later use.
Step 3. Use the purple primer and the attached spatula and apply it to the outside of both ends of the remaining tube making a 2-4 cm strip around the tube, starting from the edge
Apply the primer inside 2 straight connectors. Attach a connector to each tube by putting a little glue on the outside of the tube and inside the connector. Work quickly, slide the connector into the tube with a twisting motion, push hard until the tube reaches the inner spout in the center of the connector. Hold it in place by applying pressure for 15-20 seconds. The clear glue dries in about 10 seconds, the blue glue in about 20 seconds, so you have to hurry. Repeat for the other end of the tube.
Step 4. Cut a piece of the replacement hose the length of the cut made in the irrigation line, but shorter by approximately 2-4 cm or more for each straight fitting used (the fitting adds approximately 2-4 cm to the hose)
To determine the length of the replacement tube, take measurements from the center of one connector to another. Use a tape measure or, if you don't have it, put the tube on the ground and measure by eye, marking the points to be cut with a pencil or pen.
Step 5. Insert the tubing into the dry fittings to make sure the fit is correct and that the resulting tubing is not bent due to the replacement piece being too long
Step 6. Disassemble and make any necessary adjustments to make the tube fit snugly
Step 7. Apply primer to both ends of the cut piece, wait 5 seconds, then put a thin layer of glue on one end of the replacement piece and inside one of the straight fittings
Insert the tube into the fitting until it stops. Wait at least a minute for it to dry, then put the glue on the other end of the fitting. With the last piece you will have to push hard in the irrigation line, to the side or upwards, in order to insert the tube well. Don't worry, PVC is tough. Wait for all joints and fittings to dry completely (3-5 minutes) before reopening the water in that line.
Step 8. Alternatively, use a replacement fitting that does not have an internal center spout, ie some sort of larger section
You can slide it into the new tube as far as it will go, pass primer and glue on the other tube and insert the replacement fitting inside the old tube.
Step 9. Alternatively, you can cut a fillet in half lengthwise
Grind the inside edge if it is a standard fillet. Then apply primer and glue to one or both halves, depending on the length, then apply primer and glue to the old pipe around the crack and apply the cut piece (s) over the crack. This solution seals the crack and is quicker than cutting the cracked pipe section, especially if it is close to another pipe or if it is difficult to dig to extract it at that point.
Step 10. Check the area where you made the repair for a few minutes before covering everything
Advice
- Always wear gloves when using PVC primer and glue.
- Make sure that the inside of the PVC pipe left over after cutting the broken pipe is as clean as possible. Even the smallest remaining debris can cause blockages in the irrigation heads or prevent the drainage system from working properly.
- Do not be lazy when it comes to digging - hard as it is, you will need enough space to move and you will need to keep the fittings clean.
- The time it takes for PVC glue to dry varies with humidity and temperature, it may take longer.
- An alternative to bending the pipe is to use a "telescopic joint" which can be found in any dealer specializing in irrigation systems or hardware stores. Since bending the pipe can crack any repair, the telescopic joint solves the problem. Instructions for use are included. It is the method used by professionals.
- Consider using a PVC solvent instead of the primer. The latter can weaken the tube if used too much.
- Never put PVC in the sun: it spoils it and weakens the pipe structure.
- Some valves will leak even when closed. A trick is to use a piece of bread inside the leaking tube. It will stop the leak for the time it takes to repair. The bread will then break and will not clog the sprinkler lines or heads.
