When it comes to sprinkler maintenance, sometimes you can fix some of the issues yourself, and sometimes you need to call in a professional. The trick is knowing when to do which.
In this blog, we’ll take a look at the kinds of sprinkler issues you might encounter and whether you should attempt to troubleshoot them yourself or bring a sprinkler expert into the fold. We recommend that you bookmark this sprinkler repair article for easy reference, so you can come back to it when the need arises.
Sprinkler Turns On Despite The Presence Of Rain
If your sprinkler system keeps turning on even when it’s raining, then there is a problem with your rain sensor. Either it’s faulty and needs replacement, has a bad connection to the controller or it’s simply incorrectly installed. In other cases, there could be a blockage interfering with its function.
Before addressing the problem, you need to know what kind of rain sensor you have installed. Classic analog rain sensors house a simple absorbent disc that expands when wet, which activates a mechanism that shuts off the water supply. More advanced digital rain sensors use infrared and other technologies to detect the presence of rain.
In general, recalibrating your rain sensor is a simple task that you can do yourself. Clearing blockages is also a simple matter. However, should these not work, or for connection issues you might want to call in a pro to replace the faulty sensor.
Wet Spots or Leaks
When your sprinkler system is correctly set up and functioning, there should be even water distribution across the landscape. Wet spots or pooling shouldn’t occur anywhere (except momentarily right after the sprinkler shuts off, as it drains). However, if wet spots are appearing, there could be a few issues, some of which you can attempt to fix yourself.
Leaky or broken pipes are a common cause of pooling and repairing a broken pipe is not incredibly difficult. If you have the proper tools, time and parts this is something you can attempt yourself. If you find it a bit much or question your ability, we recommend calling in a professional.
If it’s not a leaky pipe, the problem might lie with a faulty sprinkler control valve. The problem could be either electrical or mechanical. Either way we always say leave the valves to the pros. An improperly installed valve can do more damage to the sprinklers system and cause more expense to the repair.
Another common cause of pooling is a damaged or faulty sprinkler head. Thankfully, manufacturers have generally made them easy and quick to replace. You’ll need to carefully dig clear the ground around the head and unscrew it in order to fit the replacement. Careful when digging not to damage any wiring or pipes. (we don’t want to create a bigger problem)
The key is to make sure you get the same sprinkler head as the rest of your system. Mismatching heads will lead to uneven watering and other issues.
If none of the above solves the problem, the pooling of water could also be occurring due to problems with the controller programming. While not as common, overwatering and run off can lead to wet spots. A simple reprograming of your sprinkler controller is all that’s needed.
Lastly, pooling could be occurring due to issues with inadequate drainage in that particular area. Always verify 100% its not a leak before assuming that standing water is a drainage issue. If none of these techniques solve the problem or you’re not confident in your ability to execute some of these tasks, call in a professional.
Sprinklers Won’t Turn On
There are a few things you should check if you notice that your sprinklers are not turning on at all or are only turning on partially.
First, check the master valve. If this is faulty, the whole system will go down. If no water is coming into the system at all, you might need to replace the master valve.
If the master valve isn’t the problem, you might have an electrical problem on your hands. Generally, unless you’re a trained, it’s better to call a professional to deal with this, as the troubleshooting process can be complex. Moreover, working with electrical circuitry can be dangerous.
Uneven Water Pressure
If some of your sprinkler heads are spraying harder or softer than others, it could lead to uneven watering. In a well-maintained system, uneven water pressure shouldn’t occur. There could be several reasons for this, most of which you can check for yourself.
Blockages or leaks within the system are common causes. Blockages typically result in high pressure in some areas and low pressure in others, while leaks usually cause only low pressure in affected sections. If you notice reduced water pressure from your sprinklers, but indoor faucets are functioning fine, the issue likely lies within your sprinkler system.
First, rule out the possibility of a leak in the system, which can cause pressure to drop in some sections. We discussed earlier how you can resolve this.
Uneven water pressure in your sprinkler system often points to a faulty control valve, blockages, leaks, or municipal issues. A malfunctioning valve can lead to low or uneven pressure, noticeable through irregular spray patterns. This could be due to electrical issues, which can be checked by testing current and resistance.
In some cases, the pressure reducing valve (PRV) might fail, restricting water flow. The Smart Earth Sprinklers team can help test pressure regulators and if suspected to be causing an issue.
The backflow prevention valve can potentially reduce the water pressure to the sprinkler system. Unfortunately testing and repairing the backflow preventor does require extensive knowledge and licensing. Smart Earth Sprinklers is here to help with any backflow preventor issues you may have.
It’s important to address these issues promptly, as consistent water pressure is crucial for the even distribution of water across your landscape.
If you need a professional to assist with a sprinkler repair job, then contact Smart Earth Sprinklers online today, or call (512) 694-1147. We do sprinkler maintenance, winterization, repairs, and much more.
