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Howdie,
Ok so I am new at this homeownership. And I must have spring fever becuase I am working feverishly to learn how to fix and maintain my very first home.
The DH built a great raised vegetable bed out in the backyard. He worked really hard. He wanted to drop the bed a bit into the grass. In digging the four corners, and two side spots to drop the bed a bit, we discovered a sprinkler line right in our path.
Sadly we discovered it a bit to late as we cracked the line. We ran out of time to fix this, (actually we duck-taped the crack until we could fix it properly- ps that did not work to well :( ) So, I am trying to get this fixed, by myself before DH returns from a business trip in a couple days. LOL - should take me 15 minutes really, but my first attempt looks like a failed atempt.
I used a telescoping pvc connector.
I used the rain-r-shine glue, I cut the pipes with the pvc pipe cutter (very easy to use),
I cleaned each connection site, I secured one side and let it dry for 30 minutes and then finished off the other side.
I let it sit over night to dry and anxiously waited for morning so I could test my first try at sprinkler line repair. *sigh* I noticed 2 things: #1 I have a small drip, looks like i have to do it all over again. #2 whoever put down this line has it about 2 inches from the surface of the lawn. I need to fix that and dig a deeper trench to acomodate the line. Here's my question. When I tested the pipe this morning, when the water pressure built, the pipe was bending UP under the pressure. Is this to be expected? I assume once it's buried it should be hidden. LOL Seriously - should it be bowing like this? Or did I mess it up somehow?
Here's a picture, it doesnt seem that bad in the photo, but in person I am afraid it's going to burst. I currently have the line shut-off.
If the sprinklers are working correcctly, I would not expect any bowing. If there is an obstruction in the line, then the pressure might cause this.
When we lived in LA county, we were required to have a pressure regulator in the supply line to the house, so never had this problem. And, we did repair / replace a bunch of pvc plumbing.
Like you, the first attempt was a mess. Had to cut it all out, and start over with more couplings, elbows, and pipe. Learned form the supply house (Wickes) to de-burr all cuts, use pvc cleaner, and pvc cement, and to twist the parts together to spread the cement.
