How to Repair an Orbit Sprinkler

Inspect the sprinkler for signs of damage. Lawn mowers and tractors can hit a sprinkler. So can people with their feet. Watch how water sprays from the sprinkler. If it appears restricted or misaligned, see Steps 2 through 4.

Clean the filter. Use a shovel to dig a hole around the sprinkler. Unscrew the sprinkler from the riser. Unscrew the cap and remove the cap and spring assembly from the sprinkler body. Remove the filter and flush it with water. If the filter looks damaged or is seriously clogged, you may need to replace it. Install a clean or new filter and reattach the cap and sprinkler assembly. Screw the sprinkler back onto the riser and then turn the water on to test it.

Adjust the sprinkler's radius. The radius is the distance or flow of water emitted from the sprinkler. A "distance adjustment slot" is located on top of the sprinkler above the sprayer opening. Insert a flat-head screwdriver into the opening and turn the screw inside it. Turning the screw clockwise will dial down or reduce the radius of water. Turning it counterclockwise will increase it.

Adjust the sprinkler's arc or rotation. This step only applies to rotary or gear-driven sprinklers that move when activated. You can adjust the arc or number of degrees the sprinkler rotates. Use a flat-head screwdriver to turn the pattern-adjustment screw located on top of the sprinkler. A small plus and minus sign will be visible on either side of the screw. Turn the screw to the plus symbol to increase the arc or watering degrees. Turn it to the minus symbol to decrease the arc or watering degrees. The arc can be adjusted from 40 to 360 degrees. The screw will stop turning or you may hear a ratcheting sound when you have reached the maximum and minimum arc.

Replace the sprinkler if it is damaged beyond repair. Dig a hole around the existing Orbit sprinkler and remove it from the riser by unscrewing it. Install the new Orbit sprinkler by screwing it clockwise onto the riser. Supply water to the new sprinkler to test its operation.