Having a beautiful green lawn is the dream for many homeowners. But keeping that lawn healthy often requires an underground sprinkler system. Over time, the wiring in these systems can become damaged, requiring repairs. But the thought of digging up your prized lawn to access and fix the wiring is daunting. Thankfully, there are methods to fix underground sprinkler wires without destroying your grass.
Locating the Break in the Wiring
The first step is to locate exactly where the wiring is damaged. This will help minimize any digging needed. Here are some tips for finding the break:
Check the Sprinkler Valves
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The sprinkler valves are an obvious place to check first. Valves that won't open may indicate a wiring problem to that zone.
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Disconnect the wires at the valve and use a multimeter to check for continuity. No continuity means there is a break somewhere between the valve and the controller.
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Check if the valve solenoid is receiving power when activated. Use a voltmeter to test. No power indicates a wiring issue.
Visually Inspect the Wires
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Carefully dig around the sprinkler heads at the edges of each zone. Expose the wiring and visually inspect for damage.
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Look for wires that may have become disconnected or frayed. Rodent damage is also common.
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If the wiring looks intact, the break is likely further down the line.
Use a Wire Tracer
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A wire tracer is a useful tool that can help pinpoint wiring breaks.
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Connect the transmitter to one end of the wire run and use the receiver wand to follow the signal. A lost signal indicates the break location.
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Use flags to mark the approximate break location for digging.
Accessing the Wires with Minimal Damage
Once the location of the break is identified, carefully expose the wiring using one of these lawn-friendly methods:
Narrow Trenching
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Use a flat shovel to cut a narrow trench, 2-3 inches wide, from the sprinkler head box down the wire run.
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Carefully dig perpendicular to the wiring to minimize grass disruption.
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Roll up the sod flap and set aside for replacement later.
Water Jet Tool
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A water jet tool uses a powerful stream of water to liquefy the soil without damaging lawn and roots.
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Insert the perforated tube into the ground. The water will excavate a narrow trench as the tool is moved along the wire path.
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Some loss of grass is to be expected but it will quickly recover.
Root Saw
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A specialized root cutting saw uses a narrow vibrating blade to cleanly cut through roots and soil, creating a small trench.
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Saw a straight line from the sprinkler head to the damaged area with minimal impact to the surrounding lawn.
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Be careful not to accidentally cut the sprinkler wiring.
Repairing the Wires
Once access to the damaged wiring is obtained, make the necessary repairs:
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Inspect wires to find the specific breach and determine the needed fix.
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For minor wire breaks, splice in a new section of wire using moisture-sealed connectors.
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If wires are severely damaged, it may be necessary to pull new wiring through the entire run.
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Waterproof all connections using moisture-blocking splice caps or self-fusing silicone tape.
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Test wiring continuity using a multimeter before backfilling the trench.
Restoring the Lawn
The final vital step is carefully restoring your lawn to its original condition:
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Backfill the trenches by first replacing any sod pieces removed. Tamp down firmly.
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Spread a layer of topsoil over the backfilled area to allow the grass to regrow through.
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Re-seed the trench area with a seed mix that matches your existing lawn grass species.
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Maintain proper watering and fertilization to encourage fast germination and regrowth.
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In a few weeks, the lawn should be fully restored with minimal evidence of any trenches.
With some care and the right tools, fixing damaged underground sprinkler wires is possible without destroying your prized lawn in the process. Locating the breach, trenching carefully along wire runs, splicing new wiring, and restoring the grass can allow you to repair your system while still keeping your lawn beautiful.