A sprinkler system not running at peak efficiency can waste water, damage landscaping, and even increase monthly utility bills. Learning the common signs of irrigation problems helps homeowners identify them easily, improve system performance, and reduce water usage – all the while contributing to exceptional lawn and plant health.
1. Soft Spots or Standing Water
Mushy areas or pooling water that linger after a watering session are clear signs of an irrigation issue. The culprit could be a broken underground pipe, a cracked sprinkler head, simply running the sprinklers for too long, or a low spot in the lawn. If not resolved in a timely manner, those overly saturated zones can easily become sources of erosion or fungal diseases.
2. Dead Patches of Grass
Not all dry or patchy spots are caused by sprinklers not watering long enough. Oftentimes, these indicate a coverage issue – overwatering some areas while others receive little to no water. It also may be a sign the soil composition in that area is problematic, or that the turf has a bug or disease issue. Adjusting sprinkler heads, replacing outdated components, or having the irrigation zones professionally reconfigured can help ensure that every inch of the property receives proper coverage.
Brown, dry patches of turf do not always mean the sprinklers need to run longer.
3. Your Sprinklers Ignore Weather Conditions
If you have to manually skip watering sessions, then chances are your sprinklers have been left to run during a rainstorm. The addition of a rain sensor can help reduce water waste by stopping sprinklers when rain is detected. However, these simple devices do not provide the greatest water-saving benefits. For example, turf may not need to be watered if it rained overnight, but a rain sensor will not skip a watering session if it is not actively raining when the system is scheduled to run.
A smart control system (accessed through a smartphone application) is the most efficient solution when it comes to saving significant amounts of water. A Wi-Fi connection to the internet collects National Weather Service data from a vast network of local weather monitoring stations (as weather can be drastically different throughout the Kansas City metro area). It uses this data to adjust watering sessions when rain is on the way, and even tracks moisture levels to defer watering sessions when the lawn is already well hydrated from a past rain shower. Smart controllers can even postpone or cancel watering sessions when high winds or freezing temperatures are forecasted.
4. Water Spots on Windows
If you notice white, filmy spots on your first-floor windows, this could be a sign that sprinkler heads are misaligned and spraying the house instead of delivering water where it belongs. To fix this issue, sprinkler heads and rotors may be adjusted or replaced to only water in their designated zones – and avoid spraying windows, doors, and the home’s exterior.
Water spots on first-floor windows may be a sign that sprinklers are wasting water.
5. Wet Driveways or Sidewalks
Sprinklers are set to water to the edge of the lawn, so a little overspray onto driveways or sidewalks is expected. However, large wet sections on sidewalks, patios, porches, and driveways are a good indication that one or more sprinkler zones need adjustments. To reduce water waste, sprinkler heads and rotors should be adjusted so they provide water only to their designated plant zones, with the proper amount of water pressure, for the proper amount of time for optimal plant and turf maintenance.
6. Discoloration on Wooden Fences
Wooden fencing with arch-shaped discolored areas can be a sign of inefficient watering. Sprinkler heads along the perimeter of a property and near a fence line can become misaligned over time, throwing water onto the fence instead of the grass or landscaping. This doesn’t just waste water. Wooden fences subjected to water spray for extended periods of time can become moldy and even completely rot – eventually requiring replacement – which is no small expense! The fix is simple: adjust sprinkler arcs and replace damaged heads, rotors, or sprayers.
7. Sprinklers Run at Mid-Day or in the Evening
Sprinklers that operate midday or in the evening waste more water than when run early in the morning.
Sprinklers running at midday, when temperatures are highest, waste water through evaporation before the needed irrigation can be absorbed by the soil. So a sunny midday run requires a longer watering session than an early morning session to receive the same amount of irrigation. On the other hand, sprinkler sessions that occur in the evening or overnight can result in any unabsorbed water sitting on grass and plantings for too long – which is a risk for mold or fungus growth. Optimally, sprinklers should run in the early morning hours, just before sunrise. This gives the soil time to absorb the water, and excess moisture evaporates as the day warms up.
8. Damaged Components
Damaged sprinkler system components can stealthily waste large amounts of water, leaving no trace – except for an increased water bill. Leaking underground pipes, cracked valves, clogged sprinkler heads, and improper control system wiring are some of the many sources that lead to inefficient water-wasting sprinkler systems. The best way to identify these issues before large-scale damage and possibly major expense occurs is through regular maintenance by trained irrigation professionals.
9. Zones All Run the Same Amount of Time
If every zone within an irrigation system runs the same amount of time, chances are high that water is being wasted. Each zone has its own distinct watering requirements. A flat expanse of turf in the full sun needs more water than a shaded hill or slope. An irrigation specialist can determine the exact amount of water that each zone needs and customize the watering schedule to accommodate the needs of the plantings within the zone.
10. Recent Landscape Upgrades
New landscaping completed without a corresponding update to the sprinkler system’s schedule – or even reconfiguration – can lead to water waste. Whether adding a new patio, landscaping beds, or trees and shrubs, recalibrating the system ensures that all zones receive the right amount of water right where it is needed.
