4 Common Sprinkler Problems in Frisco and Their Fixes

A healthy, vibrant lawn is the pride of any homeowner, but keeping it green requires a reliable irrigation system. That’s where Mr. Sprinkler Repair in Frisco comes in—providing trusted service to help maintain and repair your sprinklers, ensuring your system works efficiently season after season. When your sprinklers malfunction, it can lead to brown patches, wasted water, and costly utility bills. Understanding the most common sprinkler issues helps you spot problems early and address them before they cause significant damage.

This guide from Mr. Sprinkler Repair will walk you through four frequent sprinkler problems we encounter and expertly resolve in the area. We’ll explore their causes and explain why professional repairs are often the best solution for maintaining an efficient system and a beautiful landscape.

Broken Sprinkler Heads

A broken sprinkler head is one of the most obvious signs of a system in distress. You might notice water gushing from one spot or a head that’s completely missing. These breaks compromise your entire system’s efficiency, leaving parts of your lawn either flooded or bone-dry.

Common Causes of Broken Heads

Lawnmower Damage: The most frequent culprit is a lawnmower blade or wheel running over a sprinkler head. The impact can easily crack the plastic casing or snap the head off its riser.
Foot Traffic: Sprinkler heads installed in high-traffic areas of your yard are susceptible to damage from people walking, running, or playing on the lawn.
Harsh Weather: Exposure to extreme heat and cold can make the plastic components brittle over time. Freezing temperatures, in particular, can cause water trapped inside the head to expand and crack the casing.

A broken head is more than an inconvenience; it wastes a tremendous amount of water and can erode the soil around the sprinkler, creating an unstable foundation for a replacement.

Incorrect Sprinkler Head Height

For your lawn to receive uniform water coverage, each sprinkler head must be installed at the correct height—flush with the soil. Heads that are positioned too high or have sunk too low will disrupt the intended spray pattern and lead to inconsistent watering.

Problems with Improper Height

Heads That Are Too High: A sprinkler head that sticks up above the ground is a prime target for lawnmowers and foot traffic. It becomes a tripping hazard and is almost certain to break.
Heads That Are Too Low: When a sprinkler head sinks into the ground, its spray is obstructed by the surrounding turf and soil. The water can’t reach its intended distance, resulting in a dry ring around the sprinkler and over-watered grass immediately next to it. Soil compaction and natural settling often cause this issue over time.

Adjusting sprinkler head height requires digging around the unit and modifying the riser connections, a task that can be tricky without the right tools and experience.

Sprinkler Heads That Won’t Rotate

Rotor heads are designed to turn methodically, distributing water over a large arc. When a rotor head gets stuck in one position, it fails to cover its designated area. This leads to one section of your lawn getting far too much water while the rest receives none.

Reasons for Rotation Failure

Internal Debris: Dirt, sand, or small pebbles can get inside the sprinkler head through the water lines. This debris can jam the internal gears that control rotation.
Worn-Out Gears: Like any mechanical device, the gears inside a rotor head can wear out after years of use. Once the gear teeth are stripped, the head will no longer be able to turn.
Low Water Pressure: Rotors rely on sufficient water pressure to power their rotation. If your system’s pressure is too low, the heads may not have enough force to turn properly.

Fixing a non-rotating head often involves either flushing the system to clear debris or replacing the entire unit if the internal mechanism has failed.

Noisy Sprinkler Heads

Your sprinkler system should operate quietly. Loud noises like chattering, knocking, or high-pitched whining are clear indicators of an underlying problem. Ignoring these sounds can lead to more severe damage to your pipes, valves, and sprinkler heads.

What’s Causing the Noise?

High Water Pressure: Excessively high water pressure is a common cause of noisy sprinklers. The water moves through the pipes and heads at such a high velocity that it creates a chattering or “machine gun” sound. This puts a strain on the entire system.
Mechanical Issues: A worn-out valve washer can cause a loud banging noise when the system turns on or off. Additionally, a failing rotor head may make a grinding sound as its internal gears struggle to turn.
Trapped Air: Air trapped in the pipes can also cause sputtering and knocking sounds when the system is active.

Diagnosing the source of the noise is crucial. A professional can measure your system’s water pressure and inspect its components to identify the exact cause and prevent further damage.

Keep Your System Running Smoothly with Mr. Sprinkler Repair

A malfunctioning sprinkler system wastes water, harms your lawn, and costs you money. While some minor issues can be a DIY fix, most problems require professional expertise to ensure a lasting solution. An experienced technician can accurately diagnose the root cause, perform efficient repairs, and ensure your system operates at peak performance.

Don’t let broken or inefficient sprinklers ruin your lawn. If you’re experiencing any of these common problems, it’s time to call in the experts.

Contact Mr. Sprinkler Repair in Frisco today for reliable and professional service. We’ll get your irrigation system back in top shape so you can enjoy a beautiful, healthy lawn all season long.