Keeping a lawn healthy and landscape thriving often depends on a sprinkler system’s efficiency. However, like any other mechanical system, sprinklers can experience issues that disrupt performance. Problems ranging from uneven watering to low-pressure zones can lead to dry patches and water waste, resulting in higher utility bills. The good news is that many common sprinkler problems can be easily detected and resolved with a bit of troubleshooting.
Brown Spots
Brown spots on lawns are not always a result of under-watering – the cause may be a broken sprinkler head.
Despite running a sprinkler system on a fixed schedule that matches the needs of the lawn and the season, brown patches may still appear. Before increasing the watering time’s frequency or duration, check to see if the system is achieving even coverage.
There are several reasons why a system may no longer water evenly. The culprit could be as simple as a sprinkler head needing adjustment to redirect water spray to the proper area. Water pressure issues can also prevent sprinkler heads from spraying properly. Debris in or around sprinkler heads and damage from foot traffic or lawnmowers are also common system issues.
After a quick inspection of the sprinkler heads, use the sprinkler’s controller to run test watering sessions for each individual zone. Activate each zone (one at a time) and check each head’s performance.
Sprinkler Heads Not Popping Up
Manually testing each zone may reveal that one or more sprinkler heads are not popping up, which could lead to dry, patchy spots on the lawn. Again, make sure that the sprinkler head is not blocked or damaged. If neither is the case, the sprinkler head may not be receiving enough water pressure to pop up.
Sprinkler heads may not be popping up because of head damage – or even low water pressure.
Low Water Pressure
Low water pressure can be caused by a leak somewhere in the system, a malfunction with the backflow preventer, or clogged filters. Valve malfunctions and compressed or crushed water lines can also cause water pressure problems. Solving water pressure issues can be difficult, so it is best to work with irrigation professionals who can determine the best solution and ensure that optimal pressure is restored.
Sprinkler System Not Turning On
If a system is not turning on at all, the controller may be set incorrectly. First, check the controller and make sure that the water scheduling is programmed properly. Sometimes, a simple reset can provide a quick fix. Other causes of the problem could be loose or damaged wiring or a malfunction with a solenoid – which controls the opening and closing of valves. If it fails, it needs to be replaced.
The irrigation team at Heinen uses specialized equipment to effectively remove all water from a system at season’s end without damage.
Preventing Sprinkler Problems
Regular maintenance not only helps avoid inconvenient breakdowns but also preserves the system’s watering efficiency. Maintaining a consistently high level of performance keeps lawns and plants healthy, lowers water bills, and extends the lifespan of the irrigation system.
Beyond regular checks for damaged components, clogged or misaligned sprinkler heads, and leaks, professional audits performed every spring and winter can catch serious issues before they become expensive repair bills.
A professional sprinkler winterization at the end of fall will keep the system safe during the colder months. And scheduling an irrigation specialist from Heinen for spring start-up will ensure that the system is operating at peak performance before the growing season begins. These seasonal audits by irrigation experts include checking water pressure levels, inspecting valves, and adjusting controller settings to match the season’s watering needs.
The irrigation professionals at Heinen have over three decades of experience installing, repairing, and maintaining a wide range of irrigation systems for both residential and commercial properties. Heinen’s expertise and experience assures recognizing problems early and providing home and business owners with the right solutions for their systems before small problems become big expenses.
