4 Common Sprinkler Problems That Can Ruin Your Taylor Lawn

A healthy, green lawn is a point of pride for any Taylor homeowner. But in our Texas climate, keeping that grass lush requires a reliable irrigation system—and a trusted service provider to keep it in top shape. That’s where Mr. Sprinkler Repair comes in. When your sprinklers fail, it doesn’t just lead to brown patches—it can also mean wasted water, sky-high utility bills, and potential damage to your landscape. Understanding common sprinkler issues can help you spot trouble early and know when to call for professional help.

With years of experience serving Taylor homeowners, Mr. Sprinkler Repair in Taylor is committed to quickly diagnosing and fixing any sprinkler issue you might face. Our expert team has seen it all and is dedicated to providing reliable solutions that keep your lawn healthy and your system running efficiently. In this guide, we’ll walk you through four of the most frequent problems we encounter, how to spot them, and steps you can take—plus when it’s best to call in the professionals at Mr. Sprinkler Repair.

Why a Healthy Sprinkler System Matters in Taylor

Central Texas weather can be unpredictable. We experience intense summer heat and periods of drought, followed by occasional heavy rains. A properly functioning sprinkler system is your best tool for navigating these conditions. It delivers the right amount of water directly to your landscape’s root zones, promoting strong growth while conserving our precious water resources.

A faulty system does the opposite. It can over-water some areas, leading to fungal growth and weak roots, while completely missing others. The result is a stressed, unhealthy lawn and a utility bill that’s much higher than it should be.

Problem 1: An Entire Zone Won’t Turn On

One of the most alarming sprinkler issues is when an entire section of your yard, or a “zone,” fails to water. You run a cycle, and one area remains completely dry while the others work perfectly.

Symptoms to Spot

• When you manually run your sprinkler zones from the controller, one or more zones never activate.
• You notice a distinct area of your lawn turning brown and dry, while the rest stays green.

Likely Causes & DIY Checks

This problem is almost always electrical or hydraulic. The signal from your controller isn’t reaching the valve for that zone, or the valve itself is failing to open.

Here are a few things you can check yourself:

• Check the Controller: Is the zone programmed correctly? Ensure it hasn’t been accidentally turned off or set to a zero-minute run time. Try running the zone manually from the control panel.
• Inspect the Wiring (Safely): At your controller, check that the wire for the problem zone is securely connected to its terminal. At the valve box, look for any loose, corroded, or visibly damaged wires connected to the solenoid (the small cylinder on top of the valve). Important: Always turn off the power to your sprinkler system at the circuit breaker before handling any wiring.
• Examine the Solenoid: The solenoid is an electromagnet that opens the valve. Sometimes, they simply wear out. A faulty solenoid won’t “click” when the zone is activated. If you are comfortable with basic electrical work (and have turned the power off), you can sometimes swap a working solenoid from another valve to see if that solves the problem.

When to Call a Pro

If these basic checks don’t solve the issue, it’s time to call Mr. Sprinkler Repair. The problem could be a buried wire that has been cut, a faulty controller, or a valve that needs to be completely rebuilt or replaced. Our technicians have specialized tools to trace electrical faults and diagnose the exact cause quickly.

Problem 2: A Valve is Stuck Open or Closed

A stuck valve is a major headache. If it’s stuck closed, a zone won’t get water. If it’s stuck open, that zone will run continuously, flooding your lawn and sending your water bill through the roof.

Symptoms to Spot

• Stuck Closed: This looks just like a zone failure—one area of your lawn isn’t getting watered.
• Stuck Open: You see a single zone constantly running, even when the controller is off. You may hear water running underground or see puddles and swampy spots around the sprinkler heads in that zone. This is an emergency that requires shutting off the water to your irrigation system immediately.

Likely Causes & DIY Checks

Valves can get stuck due to debris, mineral buildup, or a worn-out internal diaphragm (a rubber seal).

• Look for Debris: Small pebbles, sand, or other debris can get lodged inside the valve, preventing it from closing completely. You can try to clear this by turning the solenoid a quarter-turn counter-clockwise to manually “flush” the valve for a few seconds before tightening it again.
• Check Water Pressure: If the pressure is too low, the valve may not close properly. Ensure your system’s main water shut-off valve is fully open.

When to Call a Pro

Disassembling and cleaning a sprinkler valve can be a complex and messy job. If you’re not comfortable taking it apart, or if flushing it doesn’t work, give us a call. We can expertly clean, repair, or replace the valve diaphragm or the entire valve itself to ensure it operates reliably. For a valve stuck open, a fast response is critical to prevent massive water waste.

Problem 3: Misdirected Sprinkler Heads

Are you watering your driveway, the sidewalk, or the side of your house more than your lawn? This is a common and incredibly wasteful problem caused by misaligned sprinkler heads.

Symptoms to Spot

• You see water spraying onto pavement, fences, or your home’s foundation.
• There are dry, semi-circular patches right next to sprinkler heads.
• Water runoff flows down the street during every watering cycle.

Likely Causes & DIY Checks

Sprinkler heads get knocked out of alignment easily. Lawn equipment, foot traffic, and even shifting ground can cause them to tilt or rotate.

• Adjusting a Pop-Up Head: For most standard pop-up spray heads, this is a simple fix. While the zone is running, you can firmly grasp the pop-up riser stem and rotate it until the spray pattern is pointing in the correct direction.
• Adjusting Rotor Heads: Gear-driven rotor heads (the kind that rotate back and forth) have specific adjustment points. You may need a special key or a small flathead screwdriver to change the spray arc and direction. Hold the nozzle in place while turning the head body to adjust the starting position.

When to Call a Pro

If a head is leaning severely, it may need to be re-leveled by digging around it. If you can’t get the spray pattern right or the adjustment screws are stripped, it’s best to have a professional handle it. We can ensure every head provides perfect “head-to-head” coverage, so every inch of your lawn gets the water it needs without waste.

Problem 4: Broken Sprinkler Heads

A broken sprinkler head is easy to spot and can cause significant problems, from geysers of water to dry spots where coverage is lost.

Symptoms to Spot

• Water gushing from a single spot in your lawn.
• A sprinkler head that doesn’t pop up or retract.
• Visible cracks or damage to the sprinkler head casing.
• Low water pressure across the entire zone because water is escaping from the broken head.

Likely Causes & DIY Checks

Lawnmowers are the number one enemy of sprinkler heads. They can also be damaged by vehicles, foot traffic, or freezing weather.

• Replacing a Damaged Head: Replacing a broken head is a manageable DIY project. You’ll need to carefully dig around the head, unscrew the broken one from the riser pipe, and screw on an identical replacement. Make sure no dirt falls into the pipe during the process. Before screwing on the new head, it’s a good idea to flush the line for a second by turning on the zone to clear any debris.

When to Call a Pro

If the pipe below the sprinkler head is also broken, the repair becomes more involved. If you replace a head and it still doesn’t work correctly, or if you aren’t sure which type of replacement nozzle to buy, our team can help. We carry a wide variety of heads and nozzles on our trucks to ensure a perfect match and restore your system’s efficiency.

Don’t Let Sprinkler Problems Ruin Your Lawn or Your Budget

A well-maintained irrigation system is an investment in your home’s curb appeal and value. By paying attention to these common issues, you can save water, lower your bills, and ensure your Taylor landscape thrives.

If you’re facing a sprinkler problem you can’t solve, don’t wait for a small issue to become a big, expensive one. The team at Mr. Sprinkler Repair is here to help residents throughout the Taylor, TX area. We pride ourselves on fast response times, honest pricing, and expert service.

Contact Mr. Sprinkler Repair today to schedule your service and get your system running perfectly again!