4 Common Sprinkler Problems in Richardson

A healthy, green lawn is the pride of any Richardson home, but keeping it that way depends on a sprinkler system that works flawlessly. When your irrigation system starts acting up, it can quickly lead to dry brown patches, wasted water, and a lot of frustration. From a controller that won’t cooperate to stubborn dry spots that never seem to get enough water, many issues can stand between you and a perfect lawn. That’s where Mr. Sprinkler Repair comes in—our team is here to help you tackle these problems quickly and efficiently.

At Mr. Sprinkler Repair in Richardson, we understand these challenges and have helped countless Richardson homeowners solve every sprinkler issue imaginable. Drawing on our extensive local experience, our expert team knows how to diagnose even the trickiest problems and deliver solutions that last. This guide shares some of the most common issues we encounter—and how Mr. Sprinkler Repair can help you resolve them with ease. We’ll cover everything from simple DIY checks to knowing when it’s time to call in a professional for sprinkler repair in Richardson.

1. Manual Override Won’t Work

You need to run a quick test or water a new plant, so you try to start a zone manually from your sprinkler controller. Nothing happens. This is a common and confusing problem. When your sprinkler controller manual override fails, it points to a breakdown in communication between the controller, the valves, and the sprinkler heads.

Why Is My Manual Override Failing?

Several culprits could be behind this issue. It could be an electrical problem, a faulty valve, or even a simple setting on your controller.

Homeowner Diagnostic Checklist:

• Check the Rain Sensor: Is your rain sensor active and currently wet? Many controllers will not run manually or automatically if the sensor detects recent rain. Check for an override switch on the sensor or in your controller settings.
• Look at the Controller Display: Are there any error messages? Is the time and date correct? A complete power loss could have reset the controller to its factory settings, wiping out your zone programming.
• Is the Water On? It sounds simple, but make sure the main water supply to your irrigation system is turned on. Look for a shut-off valve, often near your water meter or backflow preventer.
• Test Another Zone: Try manually starting a different zone. If one zone works but another doesn’t, you’ve narrowed the problem down to a specific valve or the wiring leading to it. If no zones work, the issue is likely with the controller, the common wire, or the main water supply.

If these quick checks don’t solve it, the problem likely lies with a faulty solenoid on the valve, damaged wiring between the controller and the valve box, or an internal failure in the controller itself. Diagnosing these requires specialized tools and expertise. This is a perfect time to call for professional sprinkler system troubleshooting to avoid causing further electrical damage.

2. Unsightly Water Stains on Pavement

Are you noticing dark, hard-to-clean stains on your driveway, sidewalk, or patio? This is usually caused by sprinkler overspray. When your sprinkler heads consistently spray hardscape surfaces, the minerals in Richardson’s water build up over time, leaving behind ugly calcium and mineral deposits. Not only does it look bad, but it’s also a clear sign you’re wasting a significant amount of water.

Taming Your Sprinkler Overspray

Fixing overspray is all about adjusting your sprinkler heads to water the lawn—and only the lawn.

• Nozzle Alignment: The most common cause is a sprinkler head that has been knocked out of alignment. You can often twist the sprinkler body (the part that stays in the ground) by hand to point the spray back onto the grass.
• Adjusting the Arc: Most rotor and spray heads have an adjustable arc, which controls the spray pattern from left to right. This often requires a special key or a small screwdriver. Reducing the arc can stop the head from rotating too far and hitting the pavement.
• Controlling the Throw Distance: You can also adjust how far the water sprays. Look for a small screw on top of the nozzle. Tightening it (turning clockwise) can reduce the spray distance, keeping water off your concrete.
• Check Water Pressure: Excessively high water pressure can cause misting and fogging, which is easily carried by the wind onto walkways. A pressure regulator can be installed on your system to solve this.

Our Richardson clay soil doesn’t absorb water instantly, so any spray that hits the pavement will simply run off into the street. Proper adjustments not only prevent stains but also ensure every drop of water is used effectively for your lawn.

3. Poor Soil Absorption and Water Runoff

Have you ever run your sprinklers only to see water flowing down the curb just a few minutes into the cycle? This is a classic problem in our area, largely due to our dense clay soil. This type of soil has a slow infiltration rate, meaning it can’t absorb water as quickly as the sprinklers apply it. This leads to runoff, wasted water, and a lawn that isn’t getting the deep watering it needs to thrive.

Solutions for Better Water Absorption

Effective watering on clay soil requires a smarter approach than simply spraying a lot of water at once.

• “Cycle and Soak” Scheduling: This is the single most effective strategy for our soil. Instead of watering a zone for 20 minutes straight, break it up. Water for 7-10 minutes, let it soak in for an hour, then run the cycle again for another 7-10 minutes. This gives the soil time to absorb the water deeply. Most modern controllers have a “Cycle and Soak” feature that automates this.
• Choose the Right Nozzles: High-efficiency, multi-stream nozzles are a game-changer. They apply water at a much slower, more even rate than traditional spray heads, which dramatically reduces runoff and improves absorption.
• Core Aeration: Annually aerating your lawn pulls up small plugs of soil, reducing compaction and creating channels for water and nutrients to penetrate deeper into the root zone. Spring is a great time for aeration in Richardson.
• Consider Drip Irrigation: For flower beds, foundation plantings, and vegetable gardens, converting from spray heads to drip irrigation is the most efficient solution. Drip systems apply water directly to the soil at the base of the plants, eliminating runoff and evaporation entirely.

4. Gaps in Coverage and Persistent Dry Spots

Does your lawn have mysterious brown patches that stay dry no matter how much you water? These gaps in coverage are a sign of a flaw in your sprinkler system’s design or performance. A well-designed system should provide uniform, “head-to-head” coverage, where the spray from one sprinkler head reaches the next one.

Diagnosing Lawn Coverage Issues

Finding the cause of dry spots requires a bit of detective work. Run your system and watch it operate.

What to Look For:

• Clogged Nozzles: A common culprit. A small piece of dirt or debris can partially or completely block a nozzle, disrupting its spray pattern. You can often clean them with a paperclip or small tool after turning off the water.
• Sunken or Tilted Heads: Sprinkler heads can sink over time or get tilted by lawnmowers. This changes the spray pattern and can be blocked by the surrounding grass. They may need to be raised or straightened.
• Low Water Pressure: If a whole zone of sprinklers looks weak (the spray is feeble and doesn’t reach far enough), you may have a low-pressure problem. This could be caused by a leak in the underground pipe for that zone, a valve that isn’t opening fully, or a problem with the main water supply.
• Poor System Layout: Sometimes, the system was just not designed correctly from the start. The heads may be spaced too far apart, or the wrong type of head might have been used for a specific area (like using a spray head in a large, open space that needs a rotor).

While you can clean a clogged nozzle, issues like low pressure or poor system layout require professional diagnostics. A pressure test can confirm a leak, and a seasoned technician can recommend cost-effective ways to improve your lawn coverage issues, such as adding heads or re-nozzling a zone.

Seasonal Tune-Ups: The Key to a Healthy System

Many of these problems can be prevented with regular maintenance. We recommend two key check-ups for your Richardson sprinkler system:

1. Spring Pre-Season Check: Before you rely on your system in the heat, we can check for winter damage, clean all heads, make adjustments, and set your controller for efficient spring watering.
2. Mid-Summer Audit: As temperatures peak, we can perform a water audit to fine-tune your system, ensuring it’s performing optimally and not wasting water during the most critical months.

Let the Experts Handle It

While some sprinkler issues are simple fixes, many require a professional touch. Trying to fix complex valve, wiring, or pipe problems without the right tools can quickly turn a small issue into a major repair.

If you’re facing any of these sprinkler troubles, don’t let your lawn suffer. The team at Mr. Sprinkler Repair in Richardson is here to help. We offer same-day and next-day service to quickly diagnose and solve your irrigation problems.

Contact us today to schedule a comprehensive sprinkler system inspection. Call us or book online, and let us help you get the healthy, beautiful lawn you deserve.