How to Remove an Old Sprinkler System
This is a big job that may be better left to the pros
- Screwdriver
- Trowel
- Shovel
- Pipe cutters
- Protective work gloves
- Sprinkler system
- Pipe cap
- Sod
- Grass seed
Maybe you’re envisioning a yard full of native plants (instead of grass) to attract pollinators, or you’re simply tired of taking care of a sprinkler system. When it’s time to remove your lawn sprinklers, there is a lot of hard work ahead of you. While you can learn how to remove a sprinkler system pretty quickly, the reality is this job takes several hours over multiple days to fully dig out all of the sprinkler heads and water lines.
With this guide, you can learn more about the process, but to save yourself some agonizing work, we highly recommend hiring a local sprinkler repair company to remove your lawn sprinklers. Not only does it take a lot of sweat and hours of your time, but one wrong move with your shovel could lead to a costly leak. If you’re still determined to give it a shot, read on to learn how to remove a sprinkler system.
Prepping to Remove a Sprinkler System
Before you start digging holes all over your lawn, see if you can track down your sprinkler system documentation or a blueprint from the permit holder with your local government’s building planning department. With a map or blueprint in hand, you’ll have a much easier time following along the water lines to remove all parts of the sprinkler system. You may also need to request a permit before performing any sort of construction underground, including digging out and removing the sprinkler lines.
With the blueprints and any necessary permits sorted, you’re almost ready to dig. But before you do, make sure to call 811, the call-before-you-dig hotline. This is essential—you need to call this number and determine where any utility lines are on your property to mark them. This ensures you don’t hit a utility line when you are digging.
Turn Off the Water
Photo: Sanhanat / Adobe StockBefore you get started, find the irrigation shut-off valve location to stop water from flowing to your sprinkler system. Turn the valve 90 degrees until it stops. At this point, it should be perpendicular to the pipe, which will let you know it’s off.
This valve is usually located inside a valve box, which is buried partially or fully underground and is identifiable by its green lid. Otherwise, you may also find the shut-off valve indoors, like in a utility closet or garage, or around the perimeter of your house. If you can’t track down the location, call in a sprinkler repair pro or a plumber to assist you.
Power Off and Remove the Sprinkler Controller
Once the power is turned off, you’ll next want to shut off the controller to the sprinkler system. This is where you program the day and time schedule for the sprinklers. Power off the system and unplug it. Use a screwdriver to remove the sprinkler controller from the wall.
Dig Holes Around Sprinkler Heads
Use a trowel to carefully dig out the soil around each sprinkler head. Clear an area of about 7 inches around the sprinkler head and about six to 7 inches deep, until you uncover the riser that the sprinkler head is attached to.
Unscrew Sprinkler Heads
Photo: Art Of Stock / Adobe StockTwist each sprinkler head counterclockwise to remove it. You can also twist off the risers beneath the sprinkler heads for removal.
Dig Trenches Along Pipes
If you have a blueprint of your sprinkler system, be sure to follow along with it to determine where the water lines lay. Otherwise, dig carefully from the site of each sprinkler head along the water lines that the sprinkler heads were connected to. These water pipes are usually buried between six and 10 inches below ground, so you’ll need to dig about that far down. Clear about three to four inches of dirt away from each side of the pipe.
Cut the Pipes
Using a pipe cutter, make cuts about every few feet or up to 10 feet. This will make it easier to pull the pipes out of the ground for removal, compared to trying to remove pipes that are dozens of feet long all at once.
Remove the Pipes
With the cuts along the lengths of the sprinkler lines, carefully pull out the pipes. You may want to wear protective, cut-resistant work gloves to protect against the sharp edges of the cut pipes. Pipes may be slippery to handle, so it’s better to take extra care during this step.
Take Out the Valve Box
The water pipes will lead from the site of each sprinkler head all the way to the control valves that control water flow to the sprinkler heads. These control valves are located in the valve box, which you may have already visited in step one when turning off the sprinkler shut-off valve.
With the pipes disconnected, you can pull the valve box out from underground. Use pipe cutters to cut off the remaining pipe connects from the valves.
Cap the Exposed Pipe
Photo: an_mmcr / iStock / Getty ImagesTake a push-fitting or push-to-connect pipe cap to close the exposed pipe. Make sure this connection is tight to prevent any leaks. Even if you’ve learned how to remove a sprinkler system on your own and followed through every step to this point, it’s still wise to call in a professional to inspect that the pipe is securely capped off.
Replace Soil and Apply New Sod
After hours or even days of pipe removal, you’re still not quite ready to kick back and admire your sprinkler-free lawn just yet. Now, you’ll need to refill the holes and trenches with soil and apply new sod or begin planting the native pollinator garden of your dreams. This can take several more hours to complete without professional installation, plus months for everything to grow in properly.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
When it comes to removing a sprinkler system, the best option is to hire a professional sprinkler repair company near you. Professional removal will cost about $50 to $110 per hour, but the job will be done safely and quicker than if you try to do it alone.
If you do decide to DIY, this project can come at a high cost, both financially and time-wise. The pipe cap itself is just $5 to $30, but you’ll also spend about $0.35 to $0.85 per square foot of lawn for the cost to lay new sod. If you’re planting new grass seed to restore the yard, plan to spend anywhere from $190 to $1,400 for the cost to seed a lawn yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you just need to cap a sprinkler head to prevent it from spraying water, this is an easy project for any homeowner to DIY. Capping the entire sprinkler system will require more effort to remove the old sprinkler lines and valves and cap the remaining pipe. This is better left to a sprinkler repair expert.
Yes, you can unplug your sprinkler system. The sprinkler system is controlled by a controller or timer, which plugs into a wall outlet. But before you pull that plug, keep in mind that doing so will erase the programmed settings and schedules your sprinklers follow.
If you want to stop the sprinklers because of rain, many sprinklers offer a rain mode setting that overrides the set schedule without erasing your existing settings. For repairs, you may be able to shut off the water supply without unplugging the controller.
To winterize a sprinkler system, you’ll need to turn off the water supply at the sprinkler shut-off valve, turn off the sprinkler controller, and then let all the water in the sprinkler lines drain. After that, you’ll need to blow out the sprinklers with an air compressor. This prevents excess water from freezing and causing cracks in the pipes.
