Irrigation Leak Detection: Three Things to Know

Proper irrigation is crucial for vibrant, healthy lawn growth–but you knew that already. What you might not know is that even a little leak can result in major damage. To protect your plants, you need to know what causes leaks, how to determine whether you have a leak, and learn some techniques for irrigation leak detection. This post has you covered. Common Signs That You Require Leak Detection Services Many things could indicate a leak in your irrigation system, but the three easiest ways to check are to examine your water bill for strange activity, inspect your yard for water pooling, and check your system’s water pressure. Unexplained Water Bill Increases Even if your irrigation system is only leaking a little bit, it translates to lots of water that you wouldn’t have used otherwise. If you examine your water bill and find that it’s higher than usual, but you haven’t changed any of your water use habits, that could directly result from a leak. Leaks can be hard to identify because they’re under the soil's surface, but your water bill won’t lie. Water Pooling Another leak detection technique is to inspect your yard and look for pooling. If your system has sprung a leak, at least one area of your yard will likely have turned into a puddle. Your lawn can only absorb so much water, so if you see pooling, there’s likely a leak. On the plus side, at least you’ve narrowed down the exact location of the leak and can fix it immediately. Decreased Water Pressure You can also check your sprinkler system’s water pressure. There are different methods for doing this, but overall, if you see a noticeable drop in water pressure, it’s likely that water is escaping from the system before it reaches the sprinkler heads. For this reason, you may also find dry, yellow patches surrounding the sprinkler(s) that aren’t spraying properly, which can help you narrow down the exact location of the leak. Common Sources Identified by Leak Detection Techniques No matter which way you look at it, leaks are no fun. And they’re also not all made the same. There could be several sources of a leak, but the most common ones are damaged sprinkler heads, cracked or broken pipes, or faulty valves. Damaged Sprinkler Heads It’s not uncommon for sprinkler heads to break or clog, especially if their maintenance has been neglected. To find this type of leak, look for sprinkler heads that aren’t spraying properly or have water pooling around them. You will have to fix, replace, or unclog it, but regular sprinkler head cleaning goes a long way in preventing this type of leak. Cracked or Broken Pipes Cracked or broken pipes are often a result of freezing temperatures, root intrusion, or physical damage. This particular leak is difficult to identify because it’s under the surface, but you can look for soggy areas in your yard or for low water pressure. For prevention, you can try insulating your pipes, reducing temperature fluctuations, blowing out your pipes, and turning off irrigation during wet or cold seasons. Faulty Valves Valves that don’t close correctly can cause continuous water flow, leading to leaks. You should inspect your system periodically for faulty or missing valves. Leak Detection Techniques Now that you know what can cause leaks, it’s time to officially learn how to detect one to save your lawn from water-based stressors. Visual inspections, meter monitoring, and professional tools are three ways to do this. Visual Inspection Visual inspections are easy and should be done occasionally to catch small problems before they become big ones. The goal is to look for any obvious signs of leaks, such as wet spots in your yard, broken sprinkler heads, or areas with unusually lush vegetation. Meter Monitoring Another sneaky and genius leak detection method is putting your water monitor to good use. If you turn off all water-using appliances and your meter continues to move, that indicates a leak in your irrigation system. Professional Tools Sometimes, you need to call in a professional. They have advanced tools like soil moisture sensors, acoustic leak detection devices, or infrared cameras. What’s great about these tools is that they can find hidden leaks under the surface without excessive digging. Conclusion Overall, regular maintenance and monitoring of your irrigation system can help detect leaks before they become a huge problem. Now that you know what causes leaks and how to identify them, you can prioritize saving water and growing healthy plants.