4 Common Sprinkler Issues and How to Fix Them

A healthy, green lawn is a source of pride for any Austin homeowner. Your sprinkler system is the unsung hero, working behind the scenes to keep your landscape lush. But when it malfunctions, it can lead to wasted water, brown patches, and expensive utility bills. Understanding common sprinkler system issues can help you spot problems early and keep your system running efficiently.

This guide will walk you through four frequent sprinkler problems. We will cover how to identify them, what you can do to fix them, and when it’s time to call in the professionals.

Leaking Valves: The Silent Water Waster

A leaking valve is one of the most common and costly sprinkler issues. Valves are the gates that open and close to allow water to flow to different zones in your yard. When one fails to close completely, water continuously seeps out, leading to significant waste and potential damage.

How to Spot a Leaking Valve

The most obvious sign of a leaking valve is a constant wet spot or puddle in your yard, even when the sprinklers haven’t run recently. You might also notice an unusually high water bill. Another clear indicator is a sprinkler head that dribbles or sprays water long after its cycle has finished. Sometimes, the leak occurs underground near the valve box, creating a patch of overly green or mushy grass.

What You Can Do

First, locate your sprinkler system’s valve box, which is usually a green rectangular box flush with the ground. Open the lid and check for standing water or drips around the valves. Debris like dirt, small rocks, or sand can get trapped inside a valve, preventing it from sealing properly.

You can try to flush the valve by manually turning it on and off. To do this, locate the bleed screw or solenoid on the valve and turn it slightly to let water run for a minute before tightening it again. This can sometimes dislodge the debris. If the leak persists, the internal diaphragm or seal may be worn out and require replacement.

Overgrown Grass: A Simple but Sneaky Problem

Sometimes, the issue isn’t with the sprinkler system’s mechanics but with what’s around it. Your lawn’s health depends on even water distribution, and anything that obstructs the spray can disrupt this balance. Overgrown grass and encroaching garden beds are common culprits.

Identifying Obstructed Sprinklers

Walk your property while the sprinklers are running. Look for sprinkler heads that are partially or fully blocked by tall grass, weeds, or overgrown shrubs. The water spray should be a clear fan or stream. If you see it hitting grass blades right out of the head or being deflected, you have an obstruction. This often results in a dry, brown circle around the sprinkler head and a soggy area where the water is being redirected.

How to Fix It

This is one of the easiest sprinkler issues to resolve. Simply trim the grass and weeds around each sprinkler head. Use a string trimmer or shears to create a clear space, allowing the head to pop up fully and spray without interference. It’s also a good idea to adjust the edge of any nearby garden beds that may have crept over the sprinkler. Making this part of your regular lawn care routine prevents the problem from recurring.

Timer Battery Failure: When Your System Loses Its Brain

Your sprinkler system’s controller, or timer, is the brain of the operation. It tells the valves when to open and close based on the schedule you set. Most modern digital timers have a backup battery to retain these settings during a power outage. When this battery fails, a simple power flicker can wipe your entire watering schedule clean.

Signs of a Dead Timer Battery

The most common sign is that your sprinklers aren’t running on schedule. You may check the controller and find the display is blank or flashing a “no AC” message (if the power is out) or has reset to its factory settings. After a power outage, a controller with a dead battery will not remember your custom watering days, times, and zone durations.

Resolving the Issue

Replacing the timer’s backup battery is a straightforward fix. Most controllers use a standard 9-volt or pair of AA batteries. Open the front panel or battery compartment on your timer unit, remove the old battery, and install a new one. Afterward, you will need to reprogram your watering schedule. We recommend checking and replacing this battery once a year, just as you would with a smoke detector.

Valve Solenoid Burnout: An Electrical Glitch

The solenoid is a small electromagnet that receives the electrical signal from your timer to open the valve. An electrical overload, often caused by a power surge from a nearby lightning strike, can burn out the solenoid. A worn-out or faulty solenoid can also fail over time. When this happens, the valve it controls will not open, leaving that zone dry.

How to Diagnose a Burnt-Out Solenoid

If one specific zone of your sprinkler system isn’t turning on while all others work fine, a bad solenoid is a likely suspect. The controller is sending the signal, but the valve isn’t responding. You can test this by running the zone manually from the controller. If it still doesn’t work, the problem is likely at the valve.

How to Replace a Solenoid

To fix this, you must first turn off the water supply to your sprinkler system. At the valve box, locate the non-working valve and unscrew the solenoid (it’s the cylindrical part with wires coming out of it). You can then screw on a new, compatible solenoid and connect the wires with waterproof wire nuts. While this is a manageable task for some, working with electrical components and wiring can be complex.

The Importance of Professional Maintenance

While you can handle some of these common issues on your own, a sprinkler system has many parts that can wear out or fail. Regular professional maintenance is the best way to prevent small problems from turning into costly repairs. An expert can spot developing issues, ensure your system is distributing water efficiently, and make adjustments that save you water and money.

If you’re facing a sprinkler problem you can’t solve, or if you want to get ahead of future issues, don’t hesitate to seek expert help.

Is your sprinkler system acting up? Contact Austin Sprinkler Repairs today. Our experienced technicians can quickly diagnose and fix any issue, ensuring your lawn stays healthy and green all year long.