3 Common Sprinkler Issues | Telling Signs and Advice on How to Fix Your Sprinkler

Did you notice that your sprinkler is acting funny, like flooding a lot or acting up? There is likely an underlying issue that needs to be resolved. It is important to fix your broken sprinkler system by discovering and replacing the broken part. But what could be the issue? In this article, we will detail the three most likely issues that could be causing your sprinkler to be malfunctioning.
A broken sprinkler is something that should be fixed as soon as possible. Suppose you ignore the sprinkler problem and don’t do anything about it. In that case, there are consequences like wasting water (which then raises the costs for your water bill), affecting your plants’ health due to overwatering or underwater, and having your damaged sprinkler snowball into a more major problem if neglected. So, here are three common sprinkle issues and how you can fix them

Malfunctioning Sprinkler Heads

Causes for a Malfunctioning Sprinkler Head

Is water flooding out of your sprinkler? This is an obvious sign of a malfunctioning sprinkler head. Plastic heads can easily be damaged by lawn equipment or foot traffic. Heads that also can’t retract properly can leak continuously, which is not good. A second reason can be cracked or damaged underground pipes caused by burrowing animals, tree root growth, high water pressure, or damage caused by recent yard work. Another common sprinkler problem could be a valve malfunction, resulting in constant water leakage.

How to Fix It

The first thing to do is to find out what the cause is. This means closely inspecting your sprinkler head and seeing if there are any visible signs. If your sprinkler isn’t spraying any water or it is uneven, you can check for clogs and clean it out. If it gives off a constant flow of water, it could be a valve problem, and you must replace the fault valve. If it is damaged from foot traffic or an animal, you must replace it with a new one.

Sprinkler Leaks and Broken Pipes

Signs of Broken Sprinkler Pipes

Another issue could be broken sprinkler pipes and not involving the heads. You can usually tell that the source of the issue is the pipes if you notice visible water leaking from the ground or spurting from areas where the pipes are buried. This is the most obvious sign. However, even though the weather is dry, there are more subtle signs like puddles, flooded areas, or soggy or wet grass patches. If you hear unusual sounds like hissing or gurgling when you run your sprinkler irrigation system, this could mean a break in the pipe where the water is escaping. If you notice visible corroded pipes or rust, your pipes deteriorate and could lead to breakage soon.

How to Fix Them

The first thing you should do when repairing your broken sprinkler pipes is dig out the soil around the damaged section. It would help if you left 1-2 feet of space on each side of the pipe and cleaned it before you start trying to repair it. YOu can use a pipe cutter or a saw to remove the damaged section. Make sure the cuts are nice and clean. You can then replace the section of the pipe with a new piece. A PVC slip coupling will help connect the two parts. Lastly, use PVC glue to glue the coupling and pipe ends before sliding the coupling into place. It is a relatively simple process to fix your sprinkler system.

Malfunctioning Control Panels

Electrical Issues

Another common issue could be electrical issues with your sprinkler system. Signs that you might have electrical issues with your sprinkler system is your system failing to activate or deactivate according to the schedule you set for it. Another one is tripped circuit breakers. If you smell burning plastic, it could be a sign of internal wire damage. These problems could be fixed by replacing the battery, ensuring all the wires are properly connected, resetting the controller, or replacing broken parts.

Conclusion

If you are unsure what to do or don’t have enough time to fix your sprinkler, you can hire a professional to help you identify and fix any sprinkler issues. It is important to hire the services of an irrigation specialist. This is where Pro Green Landscape Solutions comes into play! We are experts in sprinkler repair and irrigation.