Sprinklers are essential in keeping your lawn healthy and happy without tedious hand-watering. They play a significant role in keeping your grass in peak condition. However, many homeowners undervalue the usefulness of a well-maintained irrigation system. They fail to notice the warning signs that a sprinkler system is underperforming or, in some circumstances, completely malfunctioning. Professional sprinkler system repair can address problems efficiently, but if missed, it can lead to a more expensive solution—replacing the entire irrigation system.
At Sprinkler Fix, we want to work with you to maintain the healthiest grass possible. We are a highly skilled irrigation service company. We’ve created a handy guide to some of the most common sprinkler problems so you can quickly identify them and get the help needed to resolve them.
5 Common Sprinkler Problems
Many potential problems can arise with a lawn sprinkler system. Some common issues include:
1. Malfunctioning sprinkler controller
The controller, the sprinkler system’s “brain,” is in charge of timing when to turn the sprinklers on and off. The entire irrigation system operation may experience issues if the controller is not functioning correctly.
It’s pretty obvious why it’s essential to keep an eye out on this part of the sprinkler system when caring for your lawn. It also helps to understand the life expectancy of a controller so you know if it’s time to replace it. You might have a defective controller or another electrical problem if your system isn’t activating when it should, stays on for too long or too little time, or can’t operate in automated mode.
2. Broken or clogged sprinkler heads
Problematic sprinkler heads are one of the most common issues in a malfunctioning irrigation system. This can lead to uneven watering of your lawn. As a result, areas of grass can turn brown or die because it doesn’t receive enough water.
Since it’s a typical problem, it’s also simple to address. A quick replacement of the faulty sprinkler head can fix it.
3. Leaky pipes
Leaky pipes and fittings can lead to your irrigation system’s total failure. Ignoring leaks can cause your water bill to skyrocket, costing you a lot of money. Therefore, it is crucial to spot a leak before it costs you money.
It’s important to monitor the various zones of your sprinkler. Sprinkler valves use a diaphragm seal to control the water flow to each zone. This seal is actuated by a magnetic solenoid, which modifies the internal vacuum pressure. The diaphragm opens and shuts by doing this, allowing water to flow. Suppose you see water dripping continuously from one or more zones. In that case, it may be due to a faulty valve diaphragm, an obstruction inside the valve, inappropriate design, or installation that prevents the valve from entirely sealing.
4. Poor coverage
Typically, pump-fed sprinkler systems can have poor coverage issues. If your pump’s lining has suction leaks, it will prevent a consistent stream of water from being sent to the proper zone. Faulty distribution zones are usually the cause if a section of your grass is noticeably worse off than the surrounding areas.
If you don’t have a pump, you should keep an eye out for a few typical concerns. The most frequent problems are usually found at the valve, like a shorted solenoid or poor electrical connections. In other cases, the problem could be the valve itself. Never rule out a defective controller caused by a shorted-out motherboard or malfunctioning module.
5. Wrong sprinkler head height
Few people consider the wrong sprinkler head height to be a problem. They don’t know anything is wrong until they discover that some areas of their lawn aren’t getting enough water. As a general rule, head height is one of the first things you should evaluate if the health of your lawn seems erratic.
A sprinkler head that is too high will cause water to miss the intended areas completely and is vulnerable to damage from regular lawn care, such as mowing. In contrast, a head too low would overwater the areas closest to the sprinkler head, which has its own set of issues.
Reliable Sprinkler Repair at Sprinkler Fix
If you are experiencing issues with your lawn sprinkler system, it is a good idea to consult a professional for troubleshooting and repair. Sprinkler Fix puts our years of irrigation system knowledge to work for you to provide dependable, professional, and customer-focused service that gets the job done right. With a Texas-licensed irrigator on staff, we have the know-how to provide expert sprinkler repair.
Call us at (830) 362-8220, so we can start fixing any sprinkler problems you may have in Fredericksburg, TX.
