How to Clean Sand In a Rain Bird 42SA
Rain Bird’s line of pop sprinklers includes some with static heads that spray water at a preset pattern and some with gear-driven heads that rotate through a preset arc. The 42SA is a good example of the latter type. Like all Rain Bird sprinklers, it includes a filter which prevents particles of dirt and mud from contaminating the nozzle — to clean out the mud, all you have to do is remove the filter and flush it by unscrewing the riser. Before you do so you want to mark the alignment to this nozzle to conserve the spray pattern.
Turn off the water to the sprinkler. Allow the sprinkler retract all of the way.
Grip the sprinkler head with your hands and rotate it counterclockwise as far as it will go. Turn it all the way clockwise, and turn it counterclockwise again until you feel resistance. Mark the position of the arrow to the top of the sprinkler by laying a screwdriver on the grass with its tip pointing toward the arrow.
Eliminate the entire top part of the sprinkler by grasping the rim of this add the mind fits into and turning it counterclockwise. Hold the sleeve steady to stop it from turning as you turn the add.
Turn the add over and find the filter. Pry it out using a flat-head screwdriver, and then clean it by swirling it in new water. Once you’ve eliminated all of the sand, then push the filter back into the sprinkler add and push until it snaps into position.
Turn on the water to the sprinkler before reattaching the add to flush out any mud which remains in the system.
Line up the arrow to the top of the sprinkler head together with the screwdriver you left at the grass. Drop the insert into the sleeve and screw the rim clockwise. You just have to tighten it finger-tight.