Damaged 1-Inch Poly Line Repaired, Rotor Restored, and Sunken Lawn Regraded After Drain Work in Bloomfield Hills, MI

Hunter HydroTech completed a sprinkler-line repair and lawn-restoration project in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan after plumbing work for a drain line and cleanout damaged the irrigation system and left the yard sunken and uneven.

The project required more than reconnecting one piece of sprinkler pipe. The underground irrigation damage had to be repaired and tested, and the disturbed lawn had to be rebuilt so the finished grade moved surface water away from the house.

Damage caused during the drain-line work

A plumber had excavated the yard to perform drain-line work and install a cleanout. During the work, one 1-inch poly sprinkler line and one rotor were damaged.

Irrigation pipe is commonly shallow and can be cut, crushed, separated, or pulled apart during plumbing, sewer, utility, patio, and landscape excavation.

Repairing the 1-inch poly sprinkler line

Hunter HydroTech exposed the affected area, removed the damaged section, and repaired the 1-inch poly zone line using compatible professional irrigation fittings.

A dependable poly repair requires:

• Removing damaged pipe
• Using the correct barb size
• Fully inserting the pipe over the fitting
• Positioning clamps correctly
• Keeping dirt out of open lines
• Pressure-testing before backfill

Restoring the damaged rotor

One rotor and its connection had also been affected by the excavation. Hunter HydroTech restored the connection and checked that the rotor could rise, rotate, cover the intended lawn, and retract after shutdown.

The rotor was tested with the complete zone rather than by itself.

The lawn had been left sunken and insufficiently compacted

The excavated area had not been restored to the surrounding grade. The ground was sunken, uneven, and not compacted enough.

Loose excavation soil contains air spaces and often settles further after rain. That can create:

• Water collecting in the low area
• Surface drainage toward the house
• Muddy soil around the cleanout
• An uneven lawn
• A trip hazard
• Poor grass establishment
• Additional settling around sprinkler components

Adding approximately 40 cubic feet of topsoil

Hunter HydroTech added approximately 40 cubic feet of topsoil to rebuild the damaged area.

The new soil filled the sunken excavation, supported the repaired irrigation components, and allowed the surface to be blended into the surrounding lawn.

Regrading to move surface water away from the house

The area was shaped so water would move away from the house instead of collecting near the foundation or cleanout.

The grading work included:

• Filling the low excavation
• Blending the repair into the existing lawn
• Removing abrupt high and low areas
• Creating positive drainage away from the house
• Maintaining access to the plumbing cleanout
• Keeping the rotor at the correct finished height

Matching the rotor to the new finished grade

Adding topsoil without correcting the sprinkler head could leave the rotor buried. Leaving the rotor at the old grade could also place it too high after the lawn was restored.

Hunter HydroTech checked the rotor against the finished soil level so it could clear the future grass without remaining exposed to mower damage.

Applying a 3-in-1 sun and shade turf product

After the final grade was established, Hunter HydroTech applied a sun and shade turf product containing:

• Grass seed
• Fertilizer
• Tackifier

The seed begins the lawn-restoration process, the fertilizer provides early nutrients, and the tackifier helps keep the product in contact with the newly graded soil.

Final sprinkler-system testing

Hunter HydroTech tested:

• The repaired 1-inch poly connection
• The rotor connection
• Zone pressure
• Rotor pop-up movement
• Rotor rotation
• Arc and throw distance
• Underground leaks
• Retraction after shutdown
• The finished soil height around the head

Running the complete zone after backfill confirmed that the repair remained secure, properly aligned, and leak-free.

Results of the Bloomfield Hills restoration

The damaged sprinkler line and rotor were restored, the sunken excavation was filled, and the lawn was graded to direct surface water away from the house.

Approximately 40 cubic feet of topsoil and a 3-in-1 sun and shade turf product completed the surface restoration.

Hunter HydroTech provides sprinkler repair after plumbing, drain, sewer, utility, patio, and landscape excavation throughout Bloomfield Hills and Southeast Michigan.