Finding a buried sprinkler head

[Bill Stock]

I've got a sprinkler head that's buried at least 6" down; any ideas for finding it? I was considering a metal detector, but considering the clamps must be a foot down I can't see this working.

[Pappy]

If you know where you can get a surveyer's metal detector it should work. They don't have a disc and are much more accurate.

[Uncle Cracker]

Just run the system for a while and look for the mushy spot.

[stormdog74]

UC has a good idea. I had a similar problem when I noticed one area of the lawn was a bit dry and there was no sprinkler right in the middle of that area. Of course I quickly realized that there must be one there, so I measured from the previous sprinkler (they were equally spaced) and with the water on dug with my fingers until I found it. I got pretty wet, but I found it pretty quickly.

[bruce hylton]

Use two bent wires bent at 90 degree angle with one leg twice as long as the other. Hold one in each hand by the short leg and about eight inches apart. Works like a devining rod, will locate water lines easily down to about two feet. Use a piece of metal pipe to practice on till you get the feel for it.

[Richard in Smithville]

Use two bent wires bent at 90 degree angle with one leg twice as long as the other. Hold one in each hand by the short leg and about eight inches apart. Works like a devining rod, will locate water lines easily down to about two feet. Use a piece of metal pipe to practice on till you get the feel for it.

Before FIL retired from the water dept, even with all their maps and equipment, they often fell back to locating pipes like this.

[182much]

How about a srong magnet?
I used to use 1 to find things in concrete all the time

[Uncle Cracker]

How about a srong magnet?
I used to use 1 to find things in concrete all the time

Most metal sprinkler parts are either brass or stainless steel. Magnets are not attracted to either of these materials.

[pierhogunn]

if it were a piece of wire, I would say just use a shovel, I invariably hit what ever wire I'm not looking for when I dig holes... DAMHIKT

[Mr__Bill]

I'm thinking rototiller

[pierhogunn]

I'm thinking rototiller

+1 on the rotor tiller... guarenteed to find it, and at least one of the sections of pipe leading to it...