View Full Version : Need help cleaning out sprinkler donuts
Bluehydrangea25
03-10-2024, 10:21 AM
Am hoping to get a recommendation for someone who could clean out the grass and weeds in our sprinkler donuts. We just aren’t able to do this ourselves. Have heard there are a number of people who do this so thought this would be a good place to find someone. Thanks very much!!
retiredguy123
03-10-2024, 10:26 AM
Why not just spray Roundup in the donuts? It will kill the weeds and grass, but the donut will protect the grass around it. Note that, according to the Federal Government, Roundup is safe to use.
villagetinker
03-10-2024, 11:41 AM
I do not bother cleaning the inside of the donuts, these were installed to protect the sprinkler heads from lawn tractors. As far as i can see any grass that grows in the inside area does NOT impact the operation of the sprinkler head, so why bother. I have not cleaned ours since they were put in 10 years ago. I do replace broken donuts, and the occasional broken sprinkler.
Pugchief
03-10-2024, 12:07 PM
https://mobileimages.lowes.com/productimages/c4169731-7379-4646-aaad-4519b7e7ce3b/60156370.jpg
$30 at Lowe's
Sprinkler-Donut-Cutter (https://www.lowes.com/pd/Project-Source-Sprinkler-Donut-Cutter/5013951459)
Bluehydrangea25
03-10-2024, 01:17 PM
We can ‘t do this ourselves due to physical limitations. That’s why we’re looking for someone to do it. Thanks!
Bogie Shooter
03-10-2024, 03:35 PM
We can ‘t do this ourselves due to physical limitations. That’s why we’re looking for someone to do it. Thanks!
Have you asked your lawn mowing crew?
Dusty_Star
03-10-2024, 04:46 PM
Have you asked your lawn mowing crew?
Or whoever does the irrigation system maintenance.
villagetinker
03-10-2024, 08:07 PM
Lawn maintenance was never interested when I asked them, irrigation service wanted a ridiculous amount of money for this service (yearly) which is why I decided to just let them go. IMHO, then do not look bad at all if the grass grows inside the donuts and this does NOT hurt the operation of the sprinklers.
MrChip72
03-11-2024, 12:53 AM
IMHO, then do not look bad at all if the grass grows inside the donuts and this does NOT hurt the operation of the sprinklers.
I'm sometimes away from my place in TV for up to 3-4 months (summer) and I have definitely found a few cases where the grass has overtaken the donut to the point where the sprinkler head is not popping up fully and I had to pull out the excess grass that has expanded into the inside of the donut. For maintenance, I use Roundup every few months on the inside of the donut. I have St Augustine grass.
kidnerkim
03-11-2024, 04:24 AM
I have used ACI for years. They have different ways depending on your needs. We have quarterly since we go north for some summer months
352-648-2783.
Spikesheba13
03-11-2024, 05:45 AM
Call me at 3144131659 and I'll try to come over to clean them out
Michigan Farmer
03-11-2024, 06:28 AM
I help out folks with irrigation issues all the time and would be happy to do it for you as well.
Bill, 989/284/0220
crash
03-11-2024, 06:30 AM
We can ‘t do this ourselves due to physical limitations. That’s why we’re looking for someone to do it. Thanks!
Ask your gardener most of them will do it $2-$3 a sprinkler.
retiredguy123
03-11-2024, 06:34 AM
Ask your gardener most of them will do it $2-$3 a sprinkler.
At $3 per sprinkler, that would be about $150 for a typical yard. Sounds expensive.
eeroger
03-11-2024, 07:00 AM
Am hoping to get a recommendation for someone who could clean out the grass and weeds in our sprinkler donuts. We just aren’t able to do this ourselves. Have heard there are a number of people who do this so thought this would be a good place to find someone. Thanks very much!!
I use Hunter's Service Connection - 814 516 7923. He charges $275/year for my 12 zones. He comes quarterly to check the sprinklers and cleans out all the donut heads. He charges by the # of zones you have. I think this is a very reasonable price for my large corner lot.
retiredguy123
03-11-2024, 07:20 AM
I use Hunter's Service Connection - 814 516 7923. He charges $275/year for my 12 zones. He comes quarterly to check the sprinklers and cleans out all the donut heads. He charges by the # of zones you have. I think this is a very reasonable price for my large corner lot.
The important question is:
If you have a broken sprinkler between visits, how soon will he come out and what will he charge to repair it? That is the issue that most homeowners have. Quarterly sprinkler checks will not prevent a broken sprinkler head that will occur occasionally.
Pgcacace
03-11-2024, 07:25 AM
Wow! 50 sprinklers in a yard. Must be a huge yard. We have less than half of that.
retiredguy123
03-11-2024, 07:34 AM
Wow! 50 sprinklers in a yard. Must be a huge yard. We have less than half of that.
Are you sure? I only have 3 zones, but a total of about 35 sprinkler heads. Another poster said they have 12 zones.
RRGuyNJ
03-11-2024, 07:53 AM
At $3 per sprinkler, that would be about $150 for a typical yard. Sounds expensive.
I had an 80 x 100 ft lot in NJ (Large by Villages standards) and only had maybe 12 or so heads. $150 / $3 is 50 heads in an average yard? Nahhh no way. I admire the folks offering to help. :bigbow:
Goldenrule480
03-11-2024, 07:59 AM
Am hoping to get a recommendation for someone who could clean out the grass and weeds in our sprinkler donuts. We just aren’t able to do this ourselves. Have heard there are a number of people who do this so thought this would be a good place to find someone. Thanks very much!!
Hunter Services Connection will do tho quarterly. They will also check and adjust sprinklers. $225 for the year.
814-516-7924
wamley
03-11-2024, 08:00 AM
Sprinkle a good amount of salt inside the donut area an grass, weeds or anything will grow there.
wamley
03-11-2024, 08:01 AM
Will Not grow there
cashell
03-11-2024, 08:43 AM
Am hoping to get a recommendation for someone who could clean out the grass and weeds in our sprinkler donuts. We just aren’t able to do this ourselves. Have heard there are a number of people who do this so thought this would be a good place to find someone. Thanks very much!!
I use Chip Parrish. He’s very reliable. He comes every 6 months. Cleans, inspects and repairs.
Very high recommendation.
LonnyP
03-11-2024, 09:35 AM
Steve Beatty will come to your house every 6 months, clean them out, check the system and repair anything not working. Does not need you to be there or come into your garage. Charges around $50 per time if no repairs are needed. 352-617-5968
Rodneysblue
03-11-2024, 09:39 AM
https://mobileimages.lowes.com/productimages/c4169731-7379-4646-aaad-4519b7e7ce3b/60156370.jpg
$30 at Lowe's
Sprinkler-Donut-Cutter (https://www.lowes.com/pd/Project-Source-Sprinkler-Donut-Cutter/5013951459)
They said they were not able to do it anymore.
Rodneysblue
03-11-2024, 09:42 AM
Wow! 50 sprinklers in a yard. Must be a huge yard. We have less than half of that.
Same here.
Decadeofdave
03-11-2024, 11:44 AM
My new lawn service weed wacks the donut holes. I was surprised.
retiredguy123
03-11-2024, 12:09 PM
I had an 80 x 100 ft lot in NJ (Large by Villages standards) and only had maybe 12 or so heads. $150 / $3 is 50 heads in an average yard? Nahhh no way. I admire the folks offering to help. :bigbow:
This is not NJ. In The Villages, even courtyard villas that have lots that are less than 3500 SF have about 30 sprinkler heads. I don't know what the average number of heads is, but 3 dollars to remove grass and weeds from one donut is too high. I only paid Massey 5 dollars each to provide and install the concrete donuts.
revfiddle
03-11-2024, 03:54 PM
Am hoping to get a recommendation for someone who could clean out the grass and weeds in our sprinkler donuts. We just aren’t able to do this ourselves. Have heard there are a number of people who do this so thought this would be a good place to find someone. Thanks very much!!
I just spray the center with grass killer, and it does the deed.
Bwanajim
03-11-2024, 03:55 PM
Get a pump sprayer and some round up. Just spray the inside of the donut and every sprinkler and you’re good for a couple months.
Bealman
03-11-2024, 04:11 PM
Lawn maintenance was never interested when I asked them, irrigation service wanted a ridiculous amount of money for this service (yearly) which is why I decided to just let them go. IMHO, then do not look bad at all if the grass grows inside the donuts and this does NOT hurt the operation of the sprinklers.
I wish I had your luck not having the grass grow inside the donut affecting the operation of the heads. I have cleaned mine out as well as sprayed weed and grass killer. No issues now. Hope you continue having good luck not cleaning out the donuts........mm mm mm, donuts... 😁
MollyJo
03-11-2024, 04:58 PM
What?
Bogie Shooter
03-11-2024, 05:16 PM
What?
What, what?
thebollaros
03-12-2024, 07:53 AM
We've been using Hunters Irrigation Service for awhile now. Very satisfied. Reasonable too.
Cleans the donuts/heads, checks heads, thorough.
(814)516-7923
JimGuerriere
03-12-2024, 09:53 AM
I can do it. Where are you located.
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