SPRINKLER TALK FORUM - You Got Questions, We've Got Answers

That sounds like the typical repair method. An insert coupling is inserted between the two cut portions and clamped. However, it is very possible that some dirt has gotten into the line when the repair was made. This can cut water flow down to virtually nothing (actually, it can cut it down to 0).

What I would do is dig up the line where the splice was put in and cut it open just after the splice. Turn the water on. Do you have a lot more water coming out here than you did in the heads? If so, you most likely have a blockage in the line downstream of the splice. These are very difficult to find. Usually, the blockage will have pushed down the line until it gets to another fitting and get hung up on that fitting. Very, very difficult to find if you don't know how the line was put in the ground.


If the blockage was not downstream, cut the line BEFORE the splice (to see if the blockage was on the upstream side) and check the water flow. If the blockage was on the upstream side, it should blow right out.

You mentioned that this was going to a drip system. You may have just enough grit in the line that it has gone to all the drippers and plugged them. You may need to try and clean them out as well.


Good luck. Your best bet may be to contact whoever made the repair and have them come back to trouble shoot this.

Just the insert fitting wouldn't be enough to slow the water down completely. There are insert fittings on all sprinkler heads and coupling connections in almost every irrigation system. I agree with Bob, I would assume that something is possibly plugging the line or the line is kinked.