There are many possible problems, large and small, that can occur with an in-ground residential sprinkler system in southern NJ.
Fortunately, many of these problems can be avoided with proper lawn sprinkler installation and maintenance. Below are just a few common issues homeowners face with residential sprinkler systems and how to fix them.
As always, speaking with a licensed irrigation contractor is recommended before tackling any repairs yourself.
Lawn Sprinkler Repair: Common Problems and Fixes
1. Water doesn’t come out when the system is turned on. A sprinkler system that doesn’t turn on when it’s supposed to can be a sign of several problems. The most common causes of not enough water coming out of a sprinkler head are a leak in the piping, debris from a broken line clogging the piping that leads to the head, too many sprinkler heads leaking, roots getting into the nozzle of the sprinkler head, root growth outside of the piping squeezing the pipe shut, too many sprinkler heads running at the same time and demand for water inside of the house conflicting with the demand for water to the sprinkler system. Some of these issues, such as too many demands on your water supply, can be easily handled. Others, such as a root problems are best left to the professionals. If the problem is due to a leak, you may be able to fix the problem yourself. It depends on where the leak is located. (See below.)
A less common reason for your lawn sprinkler system not to work is a faulty timer or a problem with the sprinkler system’s wiring. If you suspect this is the issue, it’s best to call a lawn sprinkler repair company to help you fix the system.
2. Leaks. Leaks in your sprinkler system can do more than just cause the water not to come out of the sprinkler heads. Leaks can cause puddles to form in your yard, while leaving the areas that you want to water stay dry. Leaks can be caused by faulty installation, a line freezing during a particularly cold winter or damage due to landscaping and other digging. Leaks can also be the result of a faulty valve box.
Fixing a leaking line can be a rather involved lawn sprinkler repair job. If the leak is visible near the sprinkler head, you can try replacing the head and see if that helps. For larger leaks, where water is pooling in the yard or one area is visibly greener than the other parts of the yard, you’ll need to call a professional lawn sprinkler repair company.
3. A single sprinkler head that’s not working. If just one of your sprinkler head isn’t operating correctly, it’s likely just a single broken sprinkler head and not a systemic problem.
Sprinkler heads can get damaged and cracked by extreme weather, by getting run over by the lawn mower or by someone stepping on them wrong. A broken head may not work at all or may spray water around wildly.
You can buy replacement sprinkler heads at most home improvement stores. To replace the head, dig out the area around the sprinkler head to expose the riser, about two feet down. Twist the existing sprinkler head to remove it and discard it. Then screw on the new head. It’s that simple.
4. Sprinkler heads that won’t retract. Most sprinkler systems work with a system of retractable sprinkler heads dotted around your landscape. When you turn the system on, these heads pop out of the ground. When you’re done watering, they retract, so they are virtually unnoticeable and so that you won’t trip on them or hit them with your lawn mower. However, sometimes, they don’t retract like they are supposed to.
This lawn sprinkler repair is relatively easy. The most common cause of a sprinkler head that fails to retract is debris, such as mulch that has gotten inside the sprinkler head unit and is blocking the head from moving. Carefully remove any wood chips or other debris from around the sprinkler head. If that doesn’t solve the problem, you may need to contact a professional.
5. Not enough water comes out of the sprinkler heads. If your sprinkler system turns on, but there is just a drizzle coming out of all of the sprinkler heads, there are 7 common causes, in order:
- There’s a leak in the piping.
- There is debris from a broken line clogging the piping to the head.
- There are too many sprinkler heads leaking.
- There’s root intrusion into the nozzle of the sprinkler head.
- There’s root growth outside the piping that is squeezing the pipe shut.
- There are too many heads running at the same time.
- The demand for water inside of the house is conflicting with the demand for water outside.
Without proper knowledge and experience, it can be very difficult to know what exactly is causing the blockage. Your best bet is too always talk to a lawn irrigation contractor to see what the cause of the problem is.
Images Courtesy of Hunter Industries.
