How to Clean Grass Sprinkler Systems

Turn on the water supply at the irrigation line shut-off valve for each zone. If the valve is a ball valve, pull the lever, so that it’s parallel with the irrigation pipeline. If the valve is a gate valve, twist the knob to the left to open the flow of water. The sprinkler heads pop up from the ground and start to water. Look for sprinklers that are blocked, dribbling or not working.

Turn the water on for one zone at a time. Walk around to the sprinklers that should be watering the lawn and remove the heads from each one. Some heads pop off while others screws off. Allow water to rush through the sprinklers without the heads until the water runs clean. Replace the heads to the sprinklers.

Insert the supplied adjustment tool into the head-lifting hole on the sprinkler head, if the sprinkler head can’t be removed. Twist the tool to the left or right, depending on the model, until the head comes up. Insert the tool into the radius adjustment screw on top of the sprinkler head and twist the screw to the left to loosen the nozzle on the side of the stem.

Pull the nozzle out and pocket it. Turn on the water and allow it flow through the sprinkler head without the nozzle until the water runs clean.

Reinsert the nozzle and twist the radius screw to the right to tighten the nozzle in place.

Pull open the valve manifold lid and put it aside. Unscrew the solenoid to the first irrigation valve and remove it.

Remove the parts inside the solenoid, such as the screen, and rinse them with water, until all particles are removed.

Replace the small parts of the solenoid in the correct order and screw the solenoid back into place. Screw the cap off the bleed right in front of the solenoid and allow water to run through it, until it runs clean.