We’ve all had the experience of turning things on just to discover that it doesn’t function. It’s extremely aggravating when you don’t know what’s wrong with it.
So, if you switch on the sprinkler system & it doesn’t operate properly, you may try to diagnose the problem from lawn irrigation Austin TX before it worsens.
If left neglected, a damaged or broken sprinkler system can increase your water bill and possibly harm your landscaping and property. So, before the summer heats up, take the time to fix any potential irrigation issues.
Here are a few indicators provided by lawn sprinkler Austin TX that the sprinkler system is broken and needs to be repaired.
Sprinkler Controller Is Not Working Properly
When you turn on your sprinkler system, among the 1st red flags, you’ll notice if there’s an issue with the controller. It is the brain of the entire operation, so if it doesn’t switch on or has other problems, you’ll want to have it fixed.
Before delving deeper into the issue, double-check that your water is properly switched back on. It may be that simple to repair.
You should also verify the converter output to ensure it is set to the correct level for your model. Check that all of the cables coming into & out of the sprinkler controller are in excellent condition as well.
Most electrical problems occur in the yard, within the valve box themselves. These are more vulnerable to weather & damage than the controller’s wire. If you have numerous sprinkler valves that aren’t working, look inside the valve box for the common wire. If this is not tight, numerous valves in one box will not operate.
High or Low Sprinkler Water Pressure
Do the sprinkler heads hardly spray water, or do they act more like geysers, spraying water everywhere?
Low pressure might cause sprinkler heads to not entirely pop out from the ground or offer insufficient water coverage.
There are a few options suggested by lawn irrigation Austin TX, for dealing with low water pressure. First, check for any obstructions in or around the spray head. If this is not the situation, you may have an underlying leak that has to be fixed. This is sometimes caused by a cracked head someplace robbing pressure.
This might be due to the neighborhood’s poor water pressure. You may notice a dip in pressure if you’re on a community well & 12 dwellings are built in a year. If your sprinkler head is misting rather than spraying a constant stream, the water pressure is just too high. The consistently excessive water pressure might cause your system to wear out faster.
Sprinkler heads that assist adjust water pressure and pressure reducers on valves can be installed. This will improve spray, water use, and evaporation.
Water is leaking from 1 or more zones at the same time.
Leaks are indeed the death knell for just any piece of water-management technology. This is particularly true for sprinkler systems, as ignoring leaks may cost you a lot of money by increasing your water bill. So, how can you spot a leakage before it gets costly?
It is critical to keep an eye on the various zones of your sprinkler. Sprinkler valves use a diaphragm seal to regulate the water flow to each zone, which is operated by a magnetic solenoid that adjusts the inner vacuum pressure.
This opens & closes the diaphragm, enabling or preventing water flow. If you see water consistently escaping from one or more zones, then lawn irrigation Austin TX says that it might be due to a faulty valve diaphragm, an obstruction inside the valve itself, or inappropriate design/installation preventing the valve from entirely closing.
The sprinkler is stuck or would not come up
Another water pressure issue is when the sprinkler head does not jump up when you switch on the system. You may require the use of a pressure gauge to determine the water pressure.
Another possibility is that something physically prevents the head from rising. Check the top of the skull for any plant items or dirt. Typically, materials such as sand might cause them to stick.
Puddles on Lawn and Around Sprinkler
Damp areas in your landscape aren’t attractive unless you’re going for a marshy effect — especially if they develop after you switch on your sprinkler system. You might leak, have excessive water pressure, heads positioned too close together, insufficient drainage, or the watering schedule is off.
Another piece of advice for sprinkler troubleshooting is to change the watering schedule to guarantee you’re not watering too frequently and grade areas for optimal drainage. This will help you determine whether the problem is external or internal to your system. If none of those works, you’ll need to investigate the cause of the leak.
If you have hills or a significant elevation difference on your land, the system will discharge to the lowest head & puddle after running. Installing control valves from lawn irrigation Austin TX, at every head can alleviate this problem.
Uneven Spray Patterns
Is it common for your sprinklers to miss the same location, leaving it dry & brown? Or do numerous heads continuously spray the same area?
A well-planned spray pattern is essential for an effective sprinkler system.
You may direct the spray heads to target certain locations (& not things like sidewalks and driveways). Broken heads could also create this problem. Thus they should be replaced.
Skipping Irrigation Zones
This is a common problem with pump-fed systems. Suction leaks will form within your pump’s lining in these cases, preventing a consistent flow of fluid from being supplied to a suitable zone. If one section of your lawn is noticeably worse than the others, incorrect distribution zones are most likely the blame.
If you don’t have a pump, there are a few frequent offenders to watch out for. The most common problems are usually found at the valve, like a shorted solenoid, poor electrical connections, or the valve itself. A malfunctioning controller caused by a shorted-out motherboard or a damaged module cannot be ruled out.
When Should You Contact a Professional About Sprinkler System Issues?
If your sprinkler system is causing you trouble, you may remove debris and dirt from the spray head & possibly even replace broken heads on your own.
However, certain operations, such as repairing a broken line, shifting spray heads, upgrading your controller, or adjusting the arc of your heads, might cause more harm than good.
Rather than attempting to troubleshoot the sprinkler system and maybe harming it more, consult lawn irrigation Austin TX.
Conclusion:
An irrigation system should function flawlessly for several seasons. Every sprinkler system, however, ultimately fails. Fortunately, replacing a single component frequently restores the machine to full operation. A regular homeowner can typically fix their sprinkler system with just a little troubleshooting help.
Do you want the best sprinkler installation service? It’s time to visit Hunter Irrigation Service! In your yard, we will install the greatest irrigation system. For more information about our sprinkler system installation service, please visit www.austinlawnsprinklers.com or contact 512-690-3113.