Neighbors landscaper keeps breaking my lawn sprinkler

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  #1  
Old 03-25-2025, 07:08 AM
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Default Neighbors landscaper keeps breaking my lawn sprinkler

Well it’s the third time he hit my sprinkler this time he ripped out of the ground any suggestions?
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Old 03-25-2025, 07:24 AM
Pondboy Pondboy is offline
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So I’m assuming you can’t lower the head into the ground more?

Anyway…..

Make it so they won’t want to go near the heads.

Pound some rebar into the ground around the heads. I’d recommend painting the tops with a high viz color (red/orange/yellow) so that it’s more noticeable.

Last edited by Pondboy; 03-25-2025 at 08:18 AM.
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Old 03-25-2025, 07:26 AM
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You can try a guard donut. I think the rebar is a better idea.
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Old 03-25-2025, 08:27 AM
Stu from NYC Stu from NYC is offline
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Have you spoken to your neighbor about this?
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Old 03-25-2025, 08:33 AM
CarlR33 CarlR33 is offline
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Was it stuck up after running? One does not hit a sprinkler unless it’s above the ground? Is it buried enough? How are they on your property? A simple survey flag might help mark it. The rebar idea is a little much.
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Old 03-25-2025, 08:40 AM
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I suggest calling Joe Tucker 352-430-5615. He can go through your entire system and adjust/replace anything that isn't right. There is no good reason for the irrigation heads to be vulnerable to mowers, much less needing donuts or rebar sticking up.
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Old 03-25-2025, 08:58 AM
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Do not drive rebar into the ground, you will be creating an intentional hazard on your property! The damage to the equipment and possible injury to the operator would be something Dan Newland would be all over in a second. If you had a friend visiting and they tripped over that rebar resulting in a fall or fell on top of it injuring themselves, you made Dan your worst nightmare. Have you attempted to talk to the lawn care individual/company? That would be the logical action to take.
Don't think you can be sued? A friend was participating in an archery competition on privately owned property. One of the competitor's young son was running around like all kids do and tripped over a tree root breaking his arm. They successfully sued the land owner for having a hazard on his property that resulted in an injury.
As has been previously stated, apparently your sprinkler head is either defective and not retracting or too far above the ground. Get a professional to look at it and remedy the problem.
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Old 03-25-2025, 09:20 AM
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It sounds like your sprinkler head is not retracting, I have 3 like this in our garden. The repair can be a DIY project, but you need to make sure the head is at ground level and retracting correctly. If you go DIY ACE hardware is very helpful in getting the correct replacement spray heads and aimed these correctly. I also agree with using Joe Tucker.
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Old 03-25-2025, 10:04 AM
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If this is a popup sprinkler that does not retract after watering, this can happen from time to time and I don't think you can always prevent it from occurring. One thing you can try is to spray the stem with WD-40 or a spray lubricant.
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Old 03-25-2025, 10:15 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Number 10 GI View Post
Do not drive rebar into the ground, you will be creating an intentional hazard on your property! The damage to the equipment and possible injury to the operator would be something Dan Newland would be all over in a second. If you had a friend visiting and they tripped over that rebar resulting in a fall or fell on top of it injuring themselves, you made Dan your worst nightmare. Have you attempted to talk to the lawn care individual/company? That would be the logical action to take.
Don't think you can be sued? A friend was participating in an archery competition on privately owned property. One of the competitor's young son was running around like all kids do and tripped over a tree root breaking his arm. They successfully sued the land owner for having a hazard on his property that resulted in an injury.
As has been previously stated, apparently your sprinkler head is either defective and not retracting or too far above the ground. Get a professional to look at it and remedy the problem.
I had a similar situation, my heads were low enough but the riding mowers were turning their wheels on quick turns that were destroying them, talked with the landscaper and let him know that if it continues I'll be blocking his access to my lawn for turning, he figured it out all by himself lol.
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Old 03-25-2025, 02:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CarlR33 View Post
Was it stuck up after running? One does not hit a sprinkler unless it’s above the ground? Is it buried enough? How are they on your property? A simple survey flag might help mark it. The rebar idea is a little much.
And if a bare footed person steps on the re bar, expect to get a letter from Morgan and Morgan or Dan Newlin.
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Old 03-25-2025, 02:30 PM
kkingston57 kkingston57 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by villagetinker View Post
It sounds like your sprinkler head is not retracting, I have 3 like this in our garden. The repair can be a DIY project, but you need to make sure the head is at ground level and retracting correctly. If you go DIY ACE hardware is very helpful in getting the correct replacement spray heads and aimed these correctly. I also agree with using Joe Tucker.
Sand on the stem is usually #1 culprit. New body costs around $3
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Old 03-25-2025, 02:50 PM
Arlington2 Arlington2 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kkingston57 View Post
Sand on the stem is usually #1 culprit. New body costs around $3
and you can just unscrew the top to replace the innards. No need to dig down and replace the entire body.
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Old 03-25-2025, 02:53 PM
retiredguy123 retiredguy123 is online now
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Forget the rebar. A couple of well-placed boulders will solve your problem.

Last edited by retiredguy123; 03-25-2025 at 03:00 PM.
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Old 03-25-2025, 08:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kkingston57 View Post
And if a bare footed person steps on the re bar, expect to get a letter from Morgan and Morgan or Dan Newlin.
Why would someone barefooted be on his property? Wouldn’t that be trespassing? Just asking. Workers wear shoes/boots.
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