Wetting your lawn to maintain its even, lush and green form is no more a task you want to avoid. That is if you have one of those automated sprinklers. Since they are underneath the ground when not in use, the need to clean sprinkler heads is inevitable.
If you don’t clean them often enough, the output of water will be irregular and your lawn will soon start having dry patches.
Different things can cause a clogged sprinkler head. A buildup of hard water, rust, or debris are some of the culprits.
Fortunately, Vacuum Cleaners Advisor is here to help! We present you with tips from experts that will help you clean sprinkler heads so you can restore your lawn. In no time, your lawn will go back to being the envy of your neighbors.
Now let’s get started, shall we?
Clean Sprinkler Heads by Removing Debris
- Remove surface debris. Dirt and other organic debris are often responsible for clogging the holes that channel water out of sprinkler heads. So, after pulling off the sprinkler head from the water hose, wipe-off surface dirt with a microfiber cloth. You can wet the cloth if the dirt is dried for easier removal.
- Check the holes for clogs. Most times, dirt would have entered the holes that splash water. In such cases, get an office pin, or something similar, to clear the holes of any obstruction.
- Rinse the sprinkler head. This will give you a better view of ensuring all dirt and obstructions have been removed. When you’re certain, fix the sprinkler back on the hose and turn it on. Hopefully, all the holes will be spewing out water as if nothing happened.
How to Clean Sprinkler Heads of Rust and Buildup
This is another common cause of sprinkler head clogs. Cleaning a sprinkler head of rust is fairly straightforward if you follow this pro tip.
- Put the sprinkler head in a bucket. Fill up a bucket with cool water and place the sprinkler in it. Use a bucket or plastic bag large enough to submerge the sprinkler head.
- Add rust remover liquid to the water. This will help loosen the rust and make it easier to clean off. A good option is this Evapo-Rust. It is capable of tackling grime and other buildups. It is biodegradable so, in essence, you’re environmentally responsible and contributing to the protection of our planet. Furthermore, it is non-toxic which makes it safe to use without protection. Most importantly, it is effective.
- Keep the sprinkler head submerged for 30 minutes. This should be enough time for the rust remover to do its thing.
- Scrub the sprinkler. Use a brush with hard bristles to clean off buildup from the sprinkler head. Finally, rinse it with water, reinstall it, and test.
These methods we have shared with you are the things professionals will do. So, with us, you can save money with our DIY approach to keeping your home in top shape.
As the value buff we are, we wouldn’t have done justice if we leave you without ways to prevent having to clean your sprinkler heads of clogs.
How to Prevent Further Clogs
- Lubricate moving parts. After cleaning your sprinkler heads, it is better to grease them so they can move easily improving their overall efficiency. One good lubricant is WD40 which you can use on almost any metal tool. It comes with a straw that lets you increases the precision of the spray for small tools such as a sprinkler head.
- Clean sprinkler heads regularly. You should this cleaning/maintenance procedure at least twice a year. And definitely before storing them for winter. This will help them last long and perform efficiently at all times. You can get up to 15 years out of a good sprinkler head if you follow our pro tips.
It is important to note that clogs are not the only thing that could affect the flow of water from your sprinklers.
Maggie Moran, a horticulturist, suggests that, if you check them and there are no clogs, you might want to consider the water pressure. Kinks in the water hose can also be an issue that causes this.
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There you go, all you need to know to clean sprinkler heads. If you follow these guides, even your lawn will be happy you did. Thank you for coming this far with us, we hope you got what you’re looking for. Send us a comment if you have any questions and kindly share with those you think might need this. They’ll love you for it.
