How to Clean Fire Sprinklers - 2023 Cleaning Guide

Spring has finally arrived, and for most homeowners that means a new season of lawn and garden upkeep. Follow these 6 simple steps to quickly clean sprinkler nozzles.

• Step 1: Lift Sprinkler Tip
• Step 2: Hold In Place
• Step 3: Remove Filter
• Step 4: Clean
• Step 5: Flush
• Step 6: Reassemble

You'll need a towel, a vice grip that adjusts, and needle-nose pliers to clean your sprinkler heads at home. Prepare a bucket, a can of regular household dust remover or liquid soap, and a hard bristled brush as well if your sprinkler heads need to be thoroughly cleaned.

How to Clean Fire Sprinklers

Make sure you have a towel, a vice grip that adjusts, needle-nose pliers, and other necessary tools on hand before beginning your quest for the ideal lawn. Before beginning the cleaning process, you should check your sprinkler heads to see if they need to be thoroughly cleaned.

Even if your sprinkler heads don't seem to be particularly dirty, you may still need to use the deep cleaning method if you have never cleaned out your sprinkler heads before or if it has been more than a year since you last did so.

• Step 1: Lift Sprinkler Tip

Grab the top of the sprinkler head and carefully pull it out of the sleeve while maintaining control of the sprinkler head's tip with your fingers. It ought to be simple to pick up and remove. To get the head to pop out, though, you might need to activate your sprinkler system if you're having trouble.

• Step 2: Hold In Place

To stop the sprinkler tip shaft from moving or falling back down again while you are busy cleaning the interior filter, you might need to clamp it with your adjustable vice grips. To secure the sprinkler, you may need to adjust your grip.

• Step 3: Remove Filter

Simply grab the sprinkler head's top and unscrew by the threaded portion to release the filter inside for cleaning. You might need to use a pair of needle-nose pliers to complete this step if you have trouble getting the interior sprinkler filter out on your own.

Place the removed sprinkler filter next to the sleeve it came from if you are cleaning more than one sprinkler head at once. Avoid cleaning all of the sprinkler filters at once to avoid mixing them up when it comes time to replace them.

• Step 4: Clean

Since the interior filter has been removed, you can use an old towel to clean any dirt, grass, or debris that may be clogging your filter.

To avoid mixing up the various filters, always clean one filter at a time and reposition it next to the sprinkler head from which it originally came.

• Step 5: Flush

Maintain the sprinkler's secure hold using your adjustable vice grip. Turn on your sprinkler system and let the water run for a short while. Any dirt, grass, or other obstructions in the line will be cleared out by the water flow.

• Step 6: Reassemble

Now that your system is clear, your sprinkler head should be clean as well. Reinstall the interior filter and take out the adjustable vice grip to assemble your sprinkler head.

How to Clean Your Sprinkler Heads at Home (Deep Cleaning Method)

Step 1: Remove the Sprinkler Head from the Sleeve

Pulling it out of the sleeve will remove the sprinkler. This should move the sprinkler head into the position it would be in if the system were on. From this point, simply unscrew the sprinkler head in its entirety.

Step 2: Remove Debris by Wiping the Sprinkler Head

Remove any dust, sand, grass, or other debris that may be clogging the sprinkler head by wiping it with a dry cloth. Look around the sprinkler head for any potential obstructions, such as grass, insects, or small pebbles.

Step 3: Place the Removed Sprinkler Head in a Bucket

Lukewarm or hot water should be poured into a bucket or plastic bag. Put the sprinkler head that has been removed in the plastic bag or bucket. The bucket's water level should be high enough to completely submerge the sprinkler head.

The sprinkler head should be submerged in your bucket as you pour a common household rust remover over it. Any accumulation of calcium or other minerals will be broken down as a result. Allow the sprinkler head to soak in the bucket for about 30 minutes.

Step 4: Scrub the Sprinkler Head Using a Hard Brush

Scrub the sprinkler head with a hard brush, preferably one with bristles, to remove any remaining buildup or debris. The best option is an old toothbrush. Rinse the sprinkler head in cold water after cleaning it.

Step 5: Screw the Sprinkler Head Back into the Sleeve

The sprinkler head's original sleeve should be screwed back on. It shouldn't protrude out of the ground and should fit back in normally. Turning on your sprinkler system after everything has been put back in its proper place will allow you to make sure nothing is leaking and that everything is functioning properly.

How Often Should You Clean Your Sprinkler Heads?

When trying to maintain a highly functional sprinkler system, clean your sprinkler heads frequently, or at least once a year. Some people prefer to clean their sprinkler heads more frequently and do so twice yearly.

Since there is less water flow during the winter, the sprinkler heads are more likely to clog. It is also regarded as good lawn care practice to inspect your sprinkler system while it is not in use.

By checking your sprinkler heads frequently and trimming the grass around them to stop long grass from clogging the sprinkler head, you can avoid frequently cleaning your sprinkler heads.

Final Thoughts

To ensure even water distribution across your lawn and to ensure that you have the best-looking grass in town, you must regularly clean your sprinkler heads at home. To clean your sprinkler heads at home, all you need is a bucket, an old towel, a pair of needle-nose pliers, an adjustable vice grip, and household rust remover.

Your sprinkler heads should be cleaned at least once a year. However, you should regularly inspect them for any accumulation of garden debris. Since it is easier for the heads and pipes to clog when there is no water flowing through them, sprinkler system inspections are especially crucial during the winter when the sprinklers are not in use.

FAQs

Can You Clean Fire Sprinkler Heads

Cleanup is also straightforward. All you need is warm water to rinse the SprinklerVac and a soft cloth to dry it. Cleaning fire sprinklers with it is undoubtedly the best choice. Do not risk a burst bulb using other methods or spend a lot of time and money replacing dirty sprinklers.

How to Adjust Sprinkler Heads

All you have to do is rotate the head to increase or decrease the arc. If you want to widen the arc, turn the head in a clockwise direction; otherwise, turn it counterclockwise. To improve your hold on the nozzle, use the adjustment ring (shown below).

What is the NFPA Code for Cleaning Sprinkler Heads

The NFPA 25 5.2. 1.1. 1 annex says that "it is permitted to clean sprinklers with compressed air or by a vacuum provided that the equipment does not touch the sprinkler."