How to Cap-off a Lawn Sprinkler System

Sprinkler systems are an effective way of keeping your lawn looking green. But if you decide you no longer need a sprinkler or multiple sprinklers on an irrigation system, it's possible to cap the lines so that no water can escape the pipes and no dirt will enter the water lines. Capping the lines means exposing the underground connection points and plugging the lines with a PVC plug. This procedure is also appropriate during maintenance and when winterizing your sprinkler lines.

Shovel
1/2 inch PVC plugs

Instructions

- 1
  Decide which sprinkler heads you no longer want to use. Purchase one 1/2-inch PVC plug for each sprinkler.
- 2
  Turn the ball valves on the sprinkler backflow device, which is located near the side of the house, to shut off the flow of water to the sprinkler lines.
- 3
  Dig up the area surrounding the sprinkler head that you want to plug. Remove the dirt around the base of the sprinkler body so that you have enough room to grab the sprinkler.
- 4
  Grab the sprinkler and turn it counterclockwise until it releases from the sprinkler riser that connects the sprinkler to the supply line underground.
- 5
  Grab the sprinkler riser that was connected to the sprinkler and turn it counterclockwise until it pulls free from the supply line.
- 6
  Insert a PVC cap into the small hole where the riser was connected to the supply line. Turn the plug by hand or using an adjustable wrench until it's tight.
- 7
  Replace the dirt over the connection point until it's level with the rest of the surface. Repeat the process for additional sprinkler heads that you do not want to use anymore.

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