[Graspher]

See photo:

I've tightened the nozzle head to body as tight as possible yet tiny spray streams erupt from where the nozzle meets the spray body.

Both nozzle and body have been carefully inspected for defects - nothing found.

All components are new. Out of 5 new setups I typically have 2 that perform this way.

Has anyone experienced this - if so, how did you overcome?

Don't include the obvious of replacing either or both pieces.

[Topspinmo]

Can try leaving filter out or wrap Teflon tape around threads? IMO nothing can do about it in most cases? most leak a little. You can buy new nozzles see if your odds improve finding one that don’t leak, but most will eventually. Or upgrade to Better head design? IMO nothing wrong with those, really no seal just the nozzle seals against shaft. I had new ones leak worse. Most of mid leak between nozzle two half’s. good luck trying to get to seal completely?

[Graspher]

Thanks…. My last resort is to buy more nozzles and keep swapping until I land on a no leaker.

[villagetinker]

Take your photo to ACE hardware, I am sure this is a warped piece of plastic (the brown piece), and ACE will be able to match what you have.

[JohnN]

the thin teflon plumber's tape works great on this sort of thing.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Take your photo to ACE hardware, I am sure this is a warped piece of plastic (the brown piece), and ACE will be able to match what you have.

The brown color signifies its 8 foot spay range. Has pro 8A on top of nozzle.

[MarshBendLover]

Too much pressure for that head?

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by MarshBendLover

Too much pressure for that head?

Not in my case, I check my pressure regularly and some Hunter entry level nozzles leak little like one shown and some don’t even when new. I suspect manufacturing error, but looking at it can’t tell?

[Maker]

One flaw with the positioning of irrigation nozzles away from the concrete is that no water gets sprayed between the head and the concrete. That tiny bit of leak is likely doing a lot of good keeping that area of grass slightly watered. So, I would leave it as is.
It shouldn't be spraying there by design, but it's not a bad thing in this case.

[J1ceasar]

Have you asked Hunter? I come from a manufacturing importing background and when you have plastic and you make 100,000 pieces from a mold this is what happens as the mold wears down

[Graspher]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Take your photo to ACE hardware, I am sure this is a warped piece of plastic (the brown piece), and ACE will be able to match what you have.

You may be correct about the spray head having a manufacturing defect....however I'm locked to SiteOne where I purchased 150 various nozzles.

[Graspher]

Originally Posted by JohnN

the thin teflon plumber's tape works great on this sort of thing.

Thanks, ended up trying that and also pipe sealant and neither worked.

[Graspher]

Originally Posted by MarshBendLover

Too much pressure for that head?

That's a good thought. Long ago I installed an above ground 30-micron filter on the pressure side that is valved so I can easily shut off the flow. I choked the flow via the valve and it didn't make any difference on the leaks.

I'm north of 44 but south of 466 - the attached photo represents one week's of flow thru the filter. Yes, I was surprised the first time I went to clean it. I installed it because my entryway drippers were constantly clogging. A miracle solution!

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Graspher

Thanks, ended up trying that and also pipe sealant and neither worked.

Just a guess but if the spray is coming from the bottom of the head/nozzle and sealant on the threads doesn't help then could it be a small crack in the riser tube at the bottom of the threads? Quick way to check would be to swap the head and see whether the problem follows the head or remains with the riser.

Unfortunately, the solution is going to be replacing the bad part. Fortunately, the replacement is simple and inexpensive.


EDIT: If the spray is not coming from the bottom of the threads but is coming from between the brown and the black of the head itself then there are two things I would try:
1. Turn the brown to open up the spray so it is 360 degrees and then see if it will open a little more so a lot of water is flowing. This would flush any fine grit that might be keeping it from closing properly
2. The small screw in the center of the head is supposed to somehow adjust the amount of water that comes from the head. I've never had luck using it myself but a very small adjustment might be something to try to see if it makes any difference.

[Graspher]

Originally Posted by Maker

One flaw with the positioning of irrigation nozzles away from the concrete is that no water gets sprayed between the head and the concrete. That tiny bit of leak is likely doing a lot of good keeping that area of grass slightly watered. So, I would leave it as is.
It shouldn't be spraying there by design, but it's not a bad thing in this case.

I don't necessarily disagree...but I'm a freak when it comes to water leaks - absolutely cannot tolerate them. On a yearly average I'm broadcasting 25,000 gallons a month. I don't want to spend one cent more than what's needed to care for the grass. Yes, you'll never see my yard getting irrigated during a rain nor will you see any runoff going down the gutter!

That's a great observation about the grass between the nozzle and wall - and there are many of those in my landscape - but none of the "back" grass ever browns. I believe that's attributed to there being enough "close by" water saturation that the roots are picking up on it. Also, what you don't see is there are other heads down the line that overlap the leaker. That pretty much covers the back grass too.