4 Common Sprinkler Issues in Little Elm & Why You Need a Pro

Your sprinkler system is the unsung hero of your lawn, working quietly to keep your grass green and your garden lush. With help from Mr. Sprinkler Repair—a trusted service provider for local homeowners—it’s easier to keep your system running at its best. But when it stops working correctly, it can cause major headaches, from brown patches in your yard to surprisingly high water bills. Many problems can go unnoticed until significant damage is done.

Understanding the most common sprinkler issues can help you spot trouble early—and when problems do arise, Mr. Sprinkler Repair in Little Elm is your go-to solution for fast, reliable assistance. This guide will walk you through four frequent problems Little Elm homeowners face: electrical shorts, environmental damage, sun damage, and hidden leaks. We’ll explain why timely, professional repairs are crucial for maintaining a healthy lawn and an efficient watering system.

Electrical Short Circuits: When Your System Goes Haywire

Your sprinkler system’s controller is its brain, using electrical signals to tell valves when to open and close. When a short circuit occurs, this communication breaks down, leading to chaotic and damaging behavior.

A short circuit can happen for several reasons, including frayed wires from age, accidental damage from digging, or moisture getting into a valve solenoid. The result is often a system that won’t turn on, won’t turn off, or runs multiple zones at once. Ignoring an electrical issue can lead to a completely fried controller, which is a much more expensive fix than repairing a single wire or solenoid.

Signs of an Electrical Short:

• Your sprinkler system doesn’t start at its scheduled time.
• One or more zones run continuously, even after the cycle should have ended.
• The controller display is blank or shows an error message.
• Fuses in the controller repeatedly blow.

Diagnosing electrical problems requires specialized tools and knowledge. A professional can safely trace the wiring, identify the source of the short, and perform the correct repair without risking further damage to your system.

Environmental Damage: Storms, Shovels, and Critters

Your sprinkler system is constantly exposed to the elements, making it vulnerable to various forms of environmental damage. Here in Little Elm, we see our fair share of issues caused by weather, animals, and even simple landscaping mistakes.

Storms with high winds can snap sprinkler heads or damage exposed pipes. Small animals like squirrels and gophers might chew on wiring or plastic components. Even something as simple as aerating your lawn or digging a new garden bed can accidentally sever an underground pipe or wire. This type of damage often leads to obvious problems, like a geyser shooting up from your lawn or a zone that fails to water.

How to Protect Your System:

• After a major storm, walk your property to inspect for visible damage to sprinkler heads.
• Be mindful of your sprinkler system’s layout when doing any digging or landscaping.
• If you notice signs of burrowing animals near sprinkler lines, address the pest problem promptly.

Even with precautions, accidents happen. When they do, a quick and professional repair is essential to prevent water waste and ensure your lawn gets the irrigation it needs.

Sun Damage: The Silent Destroyer

The relentless Texas sun is great for a day at the lake, but it can be brutal on the plastic components of your sprinkler system. Over time, ultraviolet (UV) rays break down the plastic in sprinkler heads, risers, and valve boxes, making them brittle and prone to cracking.

This deterioration might not be immediately obvious. You may first notice it as a small crack in a sprinkler head casing, which can cause inconsistent spray patterns and dry spots in your yard. In other cases, a riser might become so brittle that it snaps off completely the next time it’s hit by a lawnmower. Sun-damaged components compromise the efficiency of your entire system, leading to wasted water and an unhealthy lawn.

Spotting Sun Damage:

• Look for faded or discolored plastic on your sprinkler heads.
• Check for fine cracks or a chalky texture on exposed components.
• Gently press on older sprinkler heads; if they feel brittle or weak, they may need replacing.

Replacing sun-damaged parts before they fail completely is a smart, proactive step. An irrigation specialist can identify at-risk components and replace them with more durable, UV-resistant parts to extend the life of your system.

In-Ground Leaks: The Hidden Water Wasters

Perhaps the most frustrating sprinkler issue is the one you can’t see. In-ground leaks occur in the underground pipes that carry water to each sprinkler zone. These leaks can be caused by shifting soil, tree roots, or pipe degradation over time. Because they are hidden, they can waste thousands of gallons of water before you ever notice.

A hidden leak often reveals itself in subtle ways. You might see a patch of grass that is unusually green and marshy, or notice a drop in water pressure across an entire zone, causing sprinklers to perform poorly. The most common sign, however, is a sudden and unexplained spike in your water bill.

Clues You Might Have an In-Ground Leak:

• Mushy spots or standing water in your lawn.
• Eroded soil around a sprinkler head.
• A significant drop in performance in one or more zones.
• An unexpectedly high water bill.

Finding and repairing these leaks requires expertise. Professionals use specialized equipment to locate the precise point of the leak with minimal disruption to your lawn, saving you time, money, and water.

Don’t Wait—Call Mr. Sprinkler Repair Today

A malfunctioning sprinkler system does more than just create an eyesore; it wastes water, runs up your bills, and harms the health of your landscape. Whether you’re dealing with a faulty controller, a broken head, or a mysterious soggy spot in your yard, ignoring the problem will only make it worse.

The team at Mr. Sprinkler Repair has the experience and tools to quickly diagnose and fix any issue your system throws at you. We proudly serve the Little Elm community, providing reliable, professional service to keep your lawn looking its best.

Don’t let a small sprinkler problem turn into a big one. Contact Mr. Sprinkler Repair today for a comprehensive system check-up and expert repair services.