For some people, having the best-looking lawn in the neighborhood is a sense of pride and joy. Something they work very hard to develop and maintain. Finding brown patches on their lawn is an unbearable sight for them. Many times, those brown patches come from a faulty sprinkler system. In this article, we will discuss common problems with sprinkler systems and how to go about troubleshooting the most common sprinkler problems.
Troubleshooting Sprinkler Problems
When a sprinkler system has a problem, there will be plenty of warning signs a homeowner should pay attention to. Recognizing the warning signs and resolving them as soon as possible will ensure that your lawn will remain in pristine condition. The common warning signs are as follows:
- A sudden increase in water bills
- Brown or dried grass
- Low pressure
- Unusual sprinkler head sounds
A Sudden Increase in Water Bills
If there is a sudden increase in the water bill and the water usage inside the home has not changed, then the culprit might be the water usage outside the home. This might be indicative of a leak in the sprinkler system. A leak in the sprinkler system would cause the water bill to increase while needing to use more water to irrigate the lawn.
Brown or Dried Grass
If you notice brown or dried grass, this is a sign that there is a problem with the sprinkler system. Sprinkler systems are supposed to water a lawn equally. Brown or dried grass is evidence that this is not happening.
Low Pressure
Low water pressure is a sign that your sprinkler system has a problem. As already mentioned, a sprinkler system is designed to equally water the lawn. If there is low pressure in one area of the sprinkler system, this can indicate a leak or some other problem with the system.
Unusual Sprinkler Head Sounds
Most people are familiar with the sound of a sprinkler head rising from the ground to spray water. If the sound is off, then this may be a sign that there is a problem with the sprinkler system.
Fixing a Leak
To fix a leak in the sprinkler system, you will need to determine where the leak is. If the leak is from an underground pipe the section of lawn that seems to be wetter and/or greener than the other sections is the likely culprit. To repair the leak, the ground will need to be dug out to expose the pipes of the sprinkler system. Replace the part of the pipes that are causing the leak.
Replacing a Sprinkler Head
If the leak is a result of a broken or cracked sprinkler head, this is a very common problem and easy solution. To replace a sprinkler head, you will need to dig around the head. Most sprinkler heads can be removed by hand in a twist-off fashion. Replace the old head with a new one.
Call a Professional
If you are unable to perform the repairs or the problems are greater than a simple replacement, call a professional to fix the problem. The technicians at Accurate Drilling have years of experience in installing and repairing irrigation and sprinkler systems. Contact us to have one of our trained technicians come to diagnose the problem and discuss the best options to resolve them.
