How to Repair a Leaking PVC Irrigation Pipe

Repairing a leaking PVC irrigation pipe can be a tricky job. Pipes in general can be hard to repair, especially if you are new to plumbing, but irrigation pipes are a little bit different. Many times, the most difficult part of the process is locating the pipe and problem underground. Once you do this, you can pretty much fix it with ease, barring any weird, out of the ordinary problems. If you find yourself with a leaky PVC irrigation pipe, here are a few steps that can help you through the repair process, along with some tools and materials that you may need.

Step 1 - Expose Pipe

Begin by exposing the pipe and the part of the pipe that needs to be repaired. It is important to be able to have enough room to work, as well as be able to see what is going on while you are repairing. Typically, a good rule of thumb is to have about 8 to 10 inches around the pipe to work with. Use a shovel, to get in and around the pipe, and dig.

Step 2 - Turn Water Off

This is an important step to the entire process. Be sure that you turn the water, along with any electrical power, off to the area that you will be working on. This needs to be done to prevent any big leaks or problems, and also so you don’t get injured.

Step 3 - Relieve Pressure

Next, relieve the pressure from the pipe. Make sure that the system is turned off, and then you can allow it to leak out on its own. Once the pressure is released, the entire system will stop running.

Step 4 - Cut

Now you can cut out the leaking part of the pipe from the system. Make sure that you cut a little bit beyond the leak on each side. Use a hand saw for this. Now, use a measuring tape to measure the section you removed, to find the size of the new pipe that needs to go in its place. An important thing to note is the new pipe needs to be about an inch shorter than the one that you just removed. This is because of the couplings you use to connect the new pipe to the cuts you made.

Step 5 - Attach Pipe

Use the primer on both ends of the new pipe that you just cut. Then, prime the joint connectors as well and connect them to the pipe. Now you can glue the end of the new pipe onto the connectors. Put a small amount of glue around the inside edges, and then carefully twist the pipe in. Allow the glue to set for about 10 minutes before you move on. Then, glue the ends of the pipe into the system that is in the ground. You will want to allow this part to set for an hour or so and then turn the water back on.

Once the water is back on to the system, check the pipe by turning it on and testing to see if it leaks still. If so, go back in and check for another leak and repeat the steps. If everything works smoothly, you can use a shovel to bury the pipe again.