How to keep your sprinkler heads clean

Clean sprinkler heads ensure better water flow, effective operation, increased efficiency, longevity in general, etc. It is useless to invest in something and not get the best results. Alongside leaks and damage to the pipes themselves, the build-up of silt and debris in the sprinkler head is one of the most common causes of failure. Thus, it becomes imperative to keep your sprinkler clean. Here are a few steps that would come in handy for cleaning the sprinkler head.

1. Remove the sprinkler head.

Take any tool you choose, a hex key, a screwdriver, or a specially designed sprinkler head key, and use it to loosen the head (generally works in the clockwise direction). Remove the authority to access the nozzle and the screens inside.

1. Remove the sprinkler cap.

You do not need any tools for this step. Hold the body of the nozzle and begin unscrewing the cap from it. Once the lid is unscrewed, remove it to find the nozzle.

1. Remove the nozzle

The nozzle can also be removed easily. Grip the nozzle and pull it directly upwards till it is released. You will be able to see the filter at the lower end. Be careful if you are cleaning multiple heads simultaneously. Make sure you put the right filter with the right leader.

1. 

   Separate the screen from the nozzle

For this step, you would require a paper clip. Take the paperclip and make it into a long thin wire. Push the end of the wire under one of the squares in the screen and pull it upwards, removing it from the nozzle.

1. Soak the screen

Take a bowl and create a mixture of warm water and dish detergent. Do not add too much detergent to it. Place the screen in the above mixture. The solution starts to act on any grime and dirt particle attached to the screen and loosens it. Soak the screen for two to five minutes. Very gently, with your hand, clean the net and put it back into the solution.

1. Brush and rinse

After a few minutes, you will start noticing that the water becomes dirty. After this moment, use an old toothbrush to scrub away any dirt particles trapped in the screen. Then, rinse the screen using a faucet or garden hose. Repeat this process till the screen is completely clean.

1. Rinse the nozzle

Once the screens have been cleaned, it is time to do the same for the nozzle. Use the same stream of water to clean the nozzle. You do not need to soak it. Make you remember which nozzle belonged to which sprinkler.

1. Clear the lines

Before reattaching the components, you must check for debris trapped in the lines. Turn the water on. At first, you would see a stream of dirty water flowing, but the water clears out after a while. This is when you stop.

1. Reassemble the sprinkler

This is the most crucial step, and many people tend to screw this up. Attach the screen, nozzle, and then the sprinkler head to the respective sprinkler. Secure them at each level using the tools.

If you have a few sprinklers, this is a relatively easy method to follow. If the number increases, it is ideal to take professional help.