Top 4 Sprinkler System Problems for a Green Keller Lawn

A healthy, green lawn is the pride of many homeowners, and a reliable sprinkler system is essential to achieving it. At Keller Sprinkler Repair, we understand the importance of maintaining a reliable sprinkler system. But what happens when your system stops working correctly? An inefficient sprinkler can lead to dry patches, water waste, and a frustratingly high water bill.

Fortunately, many common sprinkler issues are straightforward to identify and fix. Keller Sprinkler Repair is here to help you address these issues with ease. We’ll walk you through four of the most frequent problems homeowners face: clogged nozzles, broken heads, misaligned sprinklers, and low water pressure. Understanding these issues will help you keep your irrigation system running smoothly and your lawn looking its best.

1. Clogged Sprinkler Nozzles

One of the most common sprinkler troubles is a clogged nozzle. When a nozzle is blocked, water flow is restricted or stopped completely, leading to uneven watering and dry spots on your lawn.

How to Identify Clogged Nozzles

The signs of a clogged nozzle are usually easy to spot. You might see a sprinkler head that isn’t spraying at all, or one that emits a weak, sputtering stream. Another giveaway is an irregular spray pattern, such as a geyser shooting straight up or water dribbling out instead of fanning across the grass.

What Causes Clogging?

Dirt, sand, small pebbles, and other debris can make their way into your irrigation lines and get lodged in the small opening of the sprinkler nozzle. This is especially common after a water main repair in your neighborhood or if your system lacks a proper filter.

How to Fix It

Fixing a clogged nozzle is often a simple DIY task.

1. Turn off the water to your sprinkler system.
2. Lift the sprinkler head from its housing. You may need to unscrew the top portion of the head.
3. Unscrew the nozzle from the top of the sprinkler stem. Be careful not to let the spring-loaded stem retract back into the body.
4. Clean the nozzle by rinsing it under a faucet or using a thin piece of wire or a paperclip to gently poke out any visible debris.
5. Clean the filter screen located directly beneath the nozzle. This small mesh screen is a primary culprit for clogs. Rinse it thoroughly.
6. Reassemble the sprinkler head and turn the water back on to test it.

2. Broken Sprinkler Heads

A broken sprinkler head is a more obvious problem and can cause significant water waste. These breaks can happen for several reasons, from accidental damage to simple wear and tear.

How to Identify a Broken Head

You can’t miss a broken sprinkler head. You may find the plastic casing cracked or completely shattered. Other signs include a sprinkler that won’t pop up, a geyser of water shooting from the ground where the head should be, or water pooling heavily in one area.

What Causes Breakage?

The most common causes of broken sprinkler heads are physical impact. Running over them with a lawnmower is a top reason. They can also be damaged by foot traffic, heavy yard equipment, or even the expansion and contraction of the ground during freeze-thaw cycles.

How to Fix It

Replacing a broken sprinkler head requires a bit more effort but is manageable for many homeowners.

1. Purchase a replacement head. Be sure to buy the exact same model or a compatible one to ensure it matches the spray pattern and flow rate of your other sprinklers.
2. Dig around the broken head carefully with a small trowel to expose the fitting it’s connected to.
3. Unscrew the old, broken head from the riser or pipe fitting.
4. Screw on the new head. Make sure it’s threaded properly to avoid leaks. Hand-tight is usually sufficient.
5. Flush the line before attaching the nozzle. With the new head in place but the nozzle off, run the zone for a moment to clear any dirt that fell into the pipe.
6. Attach the new nozzle, adjust the spray pattern as needed, and fill the dirt back in around the head.

3. Misdirected Sprinkler Heads

Is your sprinkler system watering the sidewalk, driveway, or side of your house more than the lawn? This is a classic case of misdirected heads. It’s not just wasteful; it can also damage your home’s foundation and lead to slick, hazardous walkways.

How to Identify Misdirected Heads

Walk your property while the sprinkler system is running. Observe the spray pattern of each head. Look for sprinklers that are tilted, rotated improperly, or spraying far beyond the edge of your lawn.

What Causes Misalignment?

Sprinkler heads can get knocked out of alignment over time by lawn equipment, foot traffic, or shifting soil. Sometimes, they are simply installed or adjusted incorrectly from the start.

How to Fix It

Adjusting a sprinkler head is one of the easiest fixes.

• For pop-up spray heads: You can often just grip the pop-up stem (while the water is off) and turn it to the desired position. If it’s stubborn, you may need to turn the entire body of the sprinkler from its base.
• For rotor heads: These usually have specific adjustment points. You may need a special tool (often provided by the manufacturer) to change the arc and radius of the spray. Hold the nozzle in place and rotate the body to adjust the starting point.

4. Low Water Pressure

If your sprinklers used to cover the whole lawn but now fall short, you might have a low water pressure issue. This problem affects the entire zone, causing heads to spray weakly and inconsistently.

How to Identify Low Water Pressure

When a zone is running, you’ll notice that the sprinklers don’t pop up fully or that the water stream is weak and doesn’t reach its intended distance. This results in the area between sprinkler heads not getting enough water, creating a pattern of green circles with dry brown spots in between.

What Causes Low Pressure?

Low pressure can stem from several sources:

• A leak in the line: A cracked pipe or loose fitting somewhere in the zone will release water underground, reducing the pressure available for the heads.
• A partially closed valve: The main shut-off valve for your system or the specific zone valve may not be fully open.
• A crushed pipe: Tree roots or heavy vehicles can crush underground pipes, restricting water flow.
• Backflow preventer issues: The valves on your backflow prevention device may not be fully open, or the device itself could be failing.

How to Fix It

Troubleshooting low pressure can be complex.

1. Check for leaks: Walk the zone area and look for unusually wet or mushy spots, which could indicate an underground leak.
2. Inspect your valves: Ensure the main shut-off valve for your irrigation system is completely open. Check the zone valve in the valve box to make sure it’s functioning correctly.
3. Check the backflow preventer: Make sure both gate valves on the device are turned to the fully open position.

If these simple checks don’t solve the problem, you may have a hidden leak or a crushed pipe. At this point, it’s best to call a professional.

Prevention is the Best Medicine

The best way to deal with sprinkler problems is to prevent them. Regular maintenance can save you time, money, and the headache of a dying lawn. We recommend inspecting your system at least once a month during watering season. Turn on each zone and walk through your yard, looking for the issues described above.

For comprehensive system check-ups and repairs that go beyond a simple fix, don’t hesitate to contact the experts. At Keller Sprinkler Repair, we can diagnose hidden leaks, solve complex pressure issues, and ensure your system is optimized for maximum efficiency. A well-maintained sprinkler system is the key to a beautiful, thriving landscape.