4 Common Sprinkler Problems in Aubrey

Keeping your lawn green and healthy in Aubrey, Texas, is a unique challenge. Between the intense summer heat, local watering restrictions, and our infamous North Texas clay soil, your sprinkler system has to work perfectly. When it doesn’t, you face wasted water, dry patches, and a lot of frustration—which is why having a trusted local expert like Mr. Sprinkler Repair in Aubrey on your side can make all the difference.

Many homeowners notice the symptoms—a soggy spot here, a brown patch there—but aren’t sure where to start. That’s where Mr. Sprinkler Repair comes in as your go-to specialist for diagnosing and fixing sprinkler problems in Aubrey. This guide will walk you through four of the most common sprinkler problems we see in the Aubrey area. We’ll help you understand the cause, perform simple checks, and know when it’s time to call in the professionals at Mr. Sprinkler Repair.

1. Inconsistent Sprinkler Valve Operation

Have you ever seen one sprinkler zone turn on randomly? Or a zone that refuses to shut off, creating a swamp in your yard? This usually points to a problem with your sprinkler valves. These valves are the gates that control water flow to each section of your lawn, and when they fail, your whole system becomes unreliable.

Common Causes & Symptoms

• Debris: Small rocks, dirt, or sand can get stuck inside the valve, preventing it from closing completely. This often causes a zone to run constantly or weep water long after it should have stopped.
• Worn Diaphragm: Inside each valve is a rubber diaphragm that seals the water off. Over time, this rubber can wear out, tear, or become brittle, leading to leaks or failure to open or close.
• Electrical Issues: A faulty solenoid (the small electrical component on top of the valve) or bad wiring can cause a valve to not receive the signal from your controller. Symptoms include a zone that never turns on or one that operates erratically.

Quick Diagnostics You Can Do

Look at your valve box, which is usually a green rectangular box flush with the ground. If you see standing water or hear a hissing sound when the system is off, you likely have a valve that isn’t sealing properly. If a zone won’t turn on at all, the issue could be electrical. You can try swapping the wire for that zone with a working zone’s wire on your controller’s terminal. If the problem moves to the new zone, the issue is likely with the controller. If the original zone still doesn’t run, the problem is in the wiring or the valve itself.

When to Call Mr. Sprinkler Repair

Diagnosing and repairing valves can be complex. It involves locating faulty wiring, disassembling valves, and replacing specific internal parts like diaphragms and solenoids. To avoid turning a small issue into a major leak, it’s best to have a professional handle it. We can quickly pinpoint the exact cause and perform a lasting repair.

2. Manual Override and Controller Issues

Sometimes you need to run your system manually—to test a repair, check coverage, or give a dry spot some extra water. But what if your system doesn’t respond? When the manual controls fail, it can be frustrating and make it difficult to manage your lawn’s health.

Controller vs. Valve Problems

The problem can be at the controller (the “brain”) or out in the yard at the valve. If you try to manually turn on a zone from the controller and nothing happens, the controller itself might be faulty. However, if some zones work manually but one doesn’t, the issue is more likely with that specific zone’s wiring or valve solenoid.

How to Safely Test at the Valve Box

You can manually activate a valve to determine if the valve itself is the problem.

1. Turn off the water to your sprinkler system if you’re concerned about a major leak.
2. Locate the valve box for the non-working zone.
3. Find the solenoid on top of the valve—it’s a cylindrical component with wires coming out of it.
4. Gently turn the solenoid counter-clockwise about a quarter-turn. You should hear a click and the sound of rushing water as the zone activates.
5. If the zone turns on, the valve is mechanically okay. The problem lies with the electrical signal from the controller (wiring or solenoid). If it doesn’t turn on, the valve itself is likely stuck or broken internally.

When to Call a Pro

Troubleshooting electrical issues requires specialized tools to test for continuity and voltage. If you’re not comfortable working with wiring or disassembling valves, give us a call. We can safely diagnose the electrical fault or mechanical failure and get your system responding again.

3. Poor Soil Absorption and Water Runoff

Does water start pooling on your lawn or running into the street just a few minutes after your sprinklers turn on? This is a very common issue in Aubrey and across North Texas. Our heavy clay soil doesn’t absorb water quickly. When your system runs for a long, continuous cycle, the soil becomes saturated, and the rest of the water is wasted as runoff.

Use “Cycle and Soak” Scheduling

The most effective solution is the “cycle and soak” method. Instead of watering for one long 20-minute session, you break it up into shorter cycles with a “soak” period in between. This gives the clay soil time to absorb the water.

Example Schedule:

• Cycle 1: Run zone for 5-7 minutes.
• Soak: Wait for 30-60 minutes.
• Cycle 2: Run the same zone again for 5-7 minutes.
• Repeat as needed to deliver the total required watering time.

Most modern controllers have a cycle-and-soak feature that automates this process. We can help you program it correctly for Aubrey’s soil and watering regulations.

Other Tips for Better Absorption

• Check Your Nozzles: Mismatched or high-flow nozzles can put down water faster than the ground can absorb it. Ensure all heads in a zone have matched-precipitation-rate (MPR) nozzles.
• Aerate Your Lawn: Core aeration pulls small plugs of soil from your lawn, relieving compaction and allowing water and oxygen to penetrate deeper.
• Adjust Pressure: Excessively high water pressure creates a fine mist that blows away and doesn’t soak in effectively. A pressure regulator can solve this.

4. System Not Covering the Entire Lawn

Are you left with frustrating dry, brown spots while other parts of your lawn are thriving? These coverage gaps mean your sprinkler system isn’t distributing water evenly. This not only looks bad but also wastes water on oversaturated areas.

Common Causes of Poor Coverage

• Poor Head Spacing: Sprinkler heads should be spaced for “head-to-head” coverage, meaning the spray from one head reaches the next. Gaps are created when they are too far apart.
• Settled or Tilted Heads: Over time, heads can sink into the ground or get knocked crooked by lawnmowers. A head that is too low or tilted won’t spray its full intended pattern.
• Low Water Pressure: If the pressure is too low, the spray won’t reach its intended distance, leaving the area between heads dry.
• Clogged Nozzles: Debris can clog a nozzle, distorting the spray pattern or blocking it entirely.

A Simple Homeowner Audit Checklist

1. Run one zone at a time during the day so you can watch it.
2. Walk the zone and look for heads that aren’t popping up fully or are tilted.
3. Check for blocked nozzles and clean them with a small tool or your fingers (don’t use anything that could damage the plastic).
4. Observe the spray. Does the water from each head reach the next one? Make a note of any significant dry spots between heads.
5. Look for misting (high pressure) or weak spray (low pressure).

When You Need a Professional Adjustment

Fixing coverage gaps often requires more than simple cleaning. It may involve raising and leveling heads, replacing nozzles with the correct type, re-spacing heads, or addressing system-wide pressure problems. Mr. Sprinkler Repair can perform a comprehensive audit and make the precise adjustments needed for 100% coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How often should I water my lawn in Aubrey?
   This depends on the season. During the peak heat of summer, your lawn may need water 2-3 times per week. However, always follow Aubrey’s current watering schedule. The key is to water deeply and infrequently, not shallowly every day.
   
   
2. How do I know if my controller is broken?
   Signs of a broken controller include a blank screen that won’t turn on, settings that won’t save, or zones turning on and off randomly without being programmed to do so.
   
   
3. Why is my water bill so high?
   A sudden spike in your water bill is often caused by a hidden leak in your sprinkler system. This could be a cracked pipe underground or a valve that is stuck open, leaking 24/7. An inspection can locate these costly leaks.
   
   
4. Can I add a new sprinkler zone myself?
   Adding a zone is a complex job that involves trenching, tapping into the main line, running new pipe and wire, and ensuring your system has enough water pressure to support it. This is a project best left to experienced professionals.

Get Your Sprinkler System Ready for Any Season

A healthy, efficient sprinkler system saves you water, money, and time. If you’re dealing with any of these common problems or just feel your system isn’t performing its best, don’t wait for brown spots to take over.

The team at Mr. Sprinkler Repair is here to help homeowners in Aubrey. We offer expert diagnostics, professional repairs, and system optimizations to ensure every drop of water counts. Contact us today to book a comprehensive sprinkler inspection and get your lawn back on track!