How Do I Tell If My Irrigation System Needs Repair or Replacement?

A properly operating sprinkler system is a must to maintain a healthy green lawn and landscape. But, like any mechanical equipment, sprinklers can have problems that limit their functionality and efficiency.

Ignoring these issues can result in uneven watering, higher water bills, and in the worst case scenario, damage to your landscape. Because spotting trouble early can end up saving you time, money and headaches in the long run.

ASAP Sands Outdoor Services is your sprinkler, drainage and outdoor lighting installation and repair expert. With our years in the industry, we understand how vital it is to deal quickly and efficiently with sprinkler system problems. In this blog, I will share with you the typical things that cause a sprinkler system to fail and how to find broken sprinkler pipe.

Recognizing what these signs mean is the first step in ensuring that your sprinkler system continues to work efficiently, ensuring consistent coverage of the lawn and garden areas.

Doesn’t matter if it’s the water pressure that fluctuates or odd noises or clear signs of damage, knowing what you’re looking for will enable you to act before it’s too late, and keep your lawn alive and well.

Here, you’ll find out the major signs your sprinkler system needs professional help.

Common Signs Your Sprinkler System Needs Repair

Making sure your sprinkler system is in good shape is key to having an attractive lawn. Several indicators can let you know your system is in need of repair. Deal with these problems now and you’ll save yourself time and money later.

Leaking Sprinkler Heads

One of the first visible indicators that your system needs maintenance is a leaking sprinkler head. If you see water bubbling up from around your sprinkler heads even when the system is turned off, you have a leak. Leaks can result in a good amount of wasted water, increased water bills and uneven watering.

Signs of Leaking Sprinkler Heads:

• Puddles of water around the sprinkler head area.
• Soggy or wet spots on your lawn.
• Visible water flow when the system is off.

You can have broken casings, seals, or broken casings that cause you to have a leaky head. Addressing these leaks quickly will help your system stay in top operating condition.

Poor Water Pressure

Water pressure problems occurs frequently in sprinkler systems. High and low water pressure can be just as damaging to your system.

Signs of Poor Water Pressure:

• Sprinklers that don’t pop up all the way.
• Prone to things like sputtering, uneven spray, etc.
• Inconsistent coverage area.

Low water pressure can be the byproduct of obstructed pipes, obstructions on your sprinkler heads, or a problem with the main water line. High pressure can do just the opposite — damage your system while causing it to wear out more quickly. Equal water pressure to each nozzle maintains an even watering pattern and extends the life of the system.

Sprinkler Head Malfunctions

Sprayer heads that operate well are also important if you want to supply water evenly. Mistakes can lead to un-even watering and bare spots.

Common Malfunctions:

• Certain sprinkler heads will not turn or are locked in position.
• Uneven spray patterns, or no water at all.
• Spray heads that are set too low or high in comparison to the top of the grass.

These problems may be caused by a malfunction, a blockage, or the installation itself. If water is sprayed too long in one area, dry spots can develop. Keep the heads at an angle and encourage the sprinkler trained with an open top to shape the water in a fan. Regular checking and replacing faulty sprinkler heads help to even the coverage.

Zones Not Activating

A zone dependent sprinkler system are usually compartmentalized into separate zones for more focused watering. If one or more zones doesn’t come on, sections of your lawn can go dry, which can be tough on grass and plants.

Signs That Zones Are Not Activating:

• Entire parts of your lawn are dry.
• Certain spots never get enough water.
• Control panel is indicating an error and will not shift to next zone.

The causes of non-activating zones tend to be shorted electrical connections, miswired systems and defective control valves. Solving these issues early means all areas of your yard get the water they need.

Water Pooling Around Sprinkler Heads

When water is pooling around your sprinkler heads, it may signal to a variety of problems like leaks, poor installation and water line problems.

Indications of Water Pooling:

• Stand-alone puddles or wetness at heads.
• Excessive water bills with no accompanying use.
• Standing water or soggy soil when the system is not running.

Pooling can harm your yard and affect your plants negatively. It can also draw the attention of some nasty bugs and ugly pests, so it’s important to remedy these matters sooner rather than later.

Uneven Water Coverage

Uneven water distribution, that some parts of your lawn are getting more water than others. This unevenness causes a patchy growth of grass and plants.

Symptoms of Uneven Coverage:

• Dry flaky areas are to be covered.
• Areas which are excessively wet cause muddy areas.
• Spotty growing in your garden.

Misaligned and clogged heads, and an unbalanced system, can also lead to this problem. By getting to all four of these, you can end up with even coverage throughout the lawn.

Weird Sounds While In Use

A good sprinkler system should be silent when working. Odd noises might be symptoms of mechanical issues you need to take a look at.

Noises to Watch Out For:

• Loud hissing or whistling noises.
• Clicking or banging over and over.
• Buzzing sound from the control panel.

These can be the result of high water pressure, trapped air, or a defective part. By checking and addressing the cause of the noise, smoother and longer system operation can be achieved.

Control Panel Issues

The control panel is the brains of your sprinkler system, and decides when and how much water gets delivered to different zones. If this panel is faulty, the whole system can be jeopardized.

Typical Control Panel Issues:

• Buttons or displays are not responding.
• Error messages or flashing lights.
• Timers that are not functioning or are mis-scheduled.

Problems with the control panel may be due to electrical problems or a programming mistake. It is crucial for the general effectiveness of your sprinkler system that the panel operates properly.

Rising Water Bills

A noticeable spike in your water bills may suggest that there are underlying problems with your sprinkler system. Leaks, low water pressure and defective sprinkler heads can lead to unnecessary water usage.

Signs That Your Bills Are Rising Due to Sprinkler Issues:

• Usage patterns unchanged but significantly higher bills.
• Getting alerts from your water utility telling you how much more you’re using.
• Water meter keeps spinning even when the system is off.

Tracking your water bills can aid in catching inefficiencies early to avoid unnecessary expenses. If you address the root cause immediately, if it’s early on, your water utilization stays in check along with your bills.

Electrical Issues

If there is an electrical issue with your sprinkler, the sprinkler can fail to work or work only intermittently. These issues often require specialized attention to fix.

Signs of Electrical Problems:

• The dial is not cycling “on” and “off” as it should.
• Tripped circuit breakers.
• Burnt odor or noticeable wire damage.

Compromised wiring could pose a  hazard. Checking the wiring and electrical parts also ensures that you can safely use your sprinkler.

Identifying and resolving these issues at the outset can save you time and money down the line. Understanding what to watch out for and acting quickly will help keep your lawn healthy and beautiful and your sprinkler system efficient. Regular maintenance and repairs keep your system running in top-notch condition and add years to its lifetime, keeping your grass green and vibrant year round.

Sprinkler Heads Damaged or Broken

Sprinkler heads often become damaged over time, either by lawnmowers, foot traffic or the weather. Worn or broken heads may waste water and not water effectively.

Damaged Sprinkler Head Symptoms:

• The sprinkler head is cracked or chipped.
• Uneven water flow or misting.
• Pop-up sprinkler heads won’t pop up or spring back down.

When a sprinkler head is broken, it can’t deliver water where it is needed, resulting in dry patches, or it may overwater areas and cause problems in other areas of your yard. Inspecting the heads and replacing damaged ones helps to maintain uniform water distribution and desired system operation.

Maintain A Healthy Lawn with Quality Sprinkler System Repairs

An effective sprinkler system is the key to a lush green lawn. Finding and fixing problems such as broken sprinkler heads, valve malfunctions, water pressure issues can clog your system and slow it down.

And if something goes wrong, it is best to get things fixed in a timely manner to prevent additional damage – and to conserve water, which is always a good thing whether you’re short on time or money!

Regular inspections can catch early signs of trouble, like clogged nozzles, leaking pipes or malfunctioning timers. With quick fixes to these problems, you can maintain a healthy lawn all year.

We Can Help You Out!

If any of those frequent water sprinkling issue that you encounter or if you need professional guidance on how to maintaining your irrigation system consult the experts for help.

We focus on sprinkler system repair at ASAP Sands Outdoor Services in order to help you keep your grass green and robust. Our skilled technicians are capable of trouble shooting and repairing most problems that may arise, keeping your system running like new.

Don’t allow a broken sprinkler system to wreck your beautiful lawn. Call ASAP Sands Outdoor Services at 505-293-4014 to have it inspected and repaired. Count on us to keep your sprinkler system working properly, so your outdoor areas stay beautiful all season long. Book your appointment today and make that first step toward a greener, healthier lawn