After a long winter, most irrigation systems can use a little sprucing up. Below are a few sprinkler problems that are often uncovered and sometimes resolved through an irrigation assessment. Need additional fixes? Several local landscapers are certified in water efficient systems and can make repairs for you. Remember, once you’ve had an irrigation assessment, you qualify for additional rebates!
Broken heads can come in many forms: leaks, cracks or nozzles broken off entirely. Cracked or broken sprinkler heads may cause a head to not pop up at all, which could mean it’s leaking water even when the sprinkler is off. New nozzles screw on easily, but it’s critical to have the correct nozzle with an appropriate arc and radius. Broken heads should be replaced with the same brand and model, and have the appropriate nozzles installed.
Over time, sprinkler heads naturally settle, tilt and sink into the soil. As you can imagine, this natural sinking and settling changes the intended spray pattern. In some cases, the head can sink so low that the grass surrounding the head blocks all the spray, leaving parts of your yard dry. Several online videos detail how to fix tilted and sunken heads, or work with a local professional certified in water efficient irrigation systems.
More common in spray heads, clogged nozzles occur when debris gets stuck in the nozzle or the filter of the head. Clogs prevent water from getting where its intended, which can create dry or brown spots in your yard. Small clogs in good-condition nozzles may be cleaned, or you may need to replace the nozzle entirely. New nozzles screw on easily, but it’s critical to have the correct nozzle with an appropriate arc and radius.
When a single zone has more than one type of sprinkler head, this is called mixed heads, or mixed zones. It might not seem like a big deal, but it can create major water waste. Spray heads are designed to emit roughly 50% more water than rotor heads in the same time period. As you can imagine, if you’ve programmed your system to water a zone just the right amount for the rotor heads, you’ll be overwatering the area covered by spray heads. Whenever you replace heads, be sure they are all the same brand and model and have the appropriate nozzles installed. If you have zones with mixed heads, consider working with a professional to create uniform zones.
When pressure is too high, misting can occur. Misting turns normal spray into a cloud of fine mist, wasting a substantial amount of water through evaporation and wind drift. High pressure can also cause unnecessary wear on your system. On the other hand, low pressure could be an indication that something else is wrong, such as a broken head or leaking pipe.
Check valves prevent water from draining out of pipes each time a zone turns off. A telltale sign of missing check valves is a small stream of water coming from one or two heads in a zone after that zone turns off. If you’re replacing all the heads in a zone, look for heads with built-in check valves, which many newer models have.
Some broken pipes cause obvious and major leaks. Other pipes, or lines, are only pressurized when a specific zone is running, and these broken lines can go unnoticed. Overly soggy, wet areas of your yard could indicate a broken pipe. If the sprinklers in a particular zone aren’t popping up and sending water as far as they should be, this could also be an indicator of a broken pipe.
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