Common Sprinkler Problems in The Hills & How to Fix Them

Another long, dry spell in The Hills has arrived, and you’re relying on your sprinkler system to keep your lawn green. At Mr. Sprinkler Repair, we know how important a healthy, efficient sprinkler system is for your landscape. But when you get your water bill, you see a spike that doesn’t quite match your watering schedule. Or maybe you’ve noticed a new swampy patch by the driveway. A healthy lawn depends on a healthy sprinkler system, but even the best systems can run into trouble.

Before you get frustrated with brown spots or muddy puddles, it helps to know what you’re looking for. And remember, if you ever feel unsure, Mr. Sprinkler Repair in The Hills is always here to help diagnose and fix any tricky issues you might encounter. Most issues come down to a few common culprits. This guide will walk you through the four most frequent sprinkler problems we see here in The Hills, how to spot them, what you can do, and when it’s time to call in a professional.

A Quick Sprinkler System Refresher

Your irrigation system seems complex, but it boils down to a few key parts working together:

• Valves: These are the gatekeepers. Each valve controls a specific “zone” of your yard, opening to let water flow and closing to stop it.
• Zones: Your yard is divided into zones so different areas (e.g., shady spots vs. full sun) can be watered on different schedules.
• Heads: These are the familiar pop-up devices that deliver water to the lawn.
• Nozzles: Attached to the heads, nozzles control the spray pattern and the amount of water released.

When one of these parts fails, your whole system can suffer. Let’s dive into the problems.

1. Stuck Sprinkler Valves

A stuck valve is one of the trickiest problems because the signs can be confusing. The valve is either stuck open, flooding a zone, or stuck closed, leaving it dry.

Symptoms Checklist:

• A single sprinkler zone won’t turn on, even though others work fine.
• A sprinkler zone won’t turn off, continuing to run long after the cycle ends.
• You notice a constant, slow leak from the heads in one specific zone when the system is off.
• The ground around one of the valve boxes is consistently soggy or flooded.

Likely Causes:

A valve can get stuck for several reasons. Often, a small rock, dirt, or piece of debris gets lodged inside the diaphragm, preventing it from sealing shut. In other cases, the solenoid—the electronic part that activates the valve—may have failed, or the diaphragm itself might be old and worn out.

Simple DIY Troubleshooting:

1. Locate the Valve Box: Find the green, rectangular lid in your yard that covers the valves for the problem zone.
2. Inspect for Debris: Carefully open the valve box. Sometimes, the issue is visible dirt or grime around the valve’s exterior.
3. The “Tap” Test: Gently tap the top of the problematic valve with the handle of a screwdriver. This can sometimes dislodge minor debris that is causing it to stick.
4. Manual Bleed Screw: Most valves have a small bleed screw. Briefly turning it counter-clockwise should manually open the valve. If water flows, the problem is likely electrical (solenoid or wiring). If it doesn’t, the valve itself is probably the issue.

When to Call a Pro:

If these simple steps don’t solve it, it’s time for a professional. Taking a valve apart can be complicated, and an incorrect repair can lead to bigger leaks. A technician can diagnose whether it’s a failed solenoid, a torn diaphragm, or a wiring issue and replace the correct parts efficiently.

2. Leaking Sprinkler Heads

A leaking sprinkler head is more than just an annoyance; it’s a major water waster. This leak happens when the system is off, indicating a valve issue.

Symptoms Checklist:

• Puddles of water form around one or more sprinkler heads long after the system has shut off.
• You have persistent muddy or soft spots in your lawn.
• Water trickles or gushes from the lowest head in a zone after the sprinklers stop. This is often called “low-head drainage.”

Likely Causes:

The most common cause is a worn-out or damaged seal at the base of the sprinkler head’s pop-up riser. Over time, the seal that prevents water from leaking out when the head retracts can degrade. Another major cause is a valve that isn’t closing completely, allowing a small amount of water to seep through the pipes and out the lowest sprinkler head.

Simple DIY Troubleshooting:

1. Identify the Source: After your system runs, watch to see which heads are leaking. Is it just one head, or is it the lowest head on a slope?
2. Clean the Head: Sometimes, dirt or grass can get caught in the seal. Pull up the pop-up riser by hand and wipe it and the seal with a clean cloth.
3. Check for Low-Head Drainage: If the leaking stops after a few minutes, you likely have low-head drainage. This is common in yards with slopes, as gravity pulls the water in the pipes out through the lowest head.

When to Call a Pro:

If cleaning the head doesn’t stop the leak, the internal seal is likely shot and the head needs to be replaced. If water leaks continuously, the problem is your zone valve, not the head itself. Mr. Sprinkler Repair can install check valves in your sprinkler heads to fix low-head drainage or diagnose and repair a faulty zone valve, saving you hundreds of gallons of water.

3. Broken Sprinkler Heads

A broken sprinkler head is one of the most obvious problems. It’s often the result of an unfortunate encounter with a lawnmower, car tire, or heavy foot traffic.

Symptoms Checklist:

• A geyser of water shooting straight up from where a sprinkler head should be.
• A sprinkler head is cracked, tilted, or completely missing.
• The pop-up riser is stuck up and won’t retract.
• Water is bubbling up from the ground around the sprinkler head body.

Likely Causes:

Physical damage is the number one cause. Lawn equipment is the usual suspect, but heads can also be damaged by soil freezing and thawing, or simply by becoming brittle with age and sun exposure.

Simple DIY Troubleshooting:

Replacing a sprinkler head can be a straightforward DIY job if you’re comfortable with it.

1. Buy the Right Replacement: Unscrew the broken head and take it to the hardware store to ensure you get an identical match for spray pattern and flow rate.
2. Dig Carefully: Gently dig a small circle around the broken head, being careful not to let dirt fall into the pipe.
3. Unscrew and Replace: Unscrew the old head from the riser pipe. Screw the new one on, making sure it’s hand-tight but not overly so.
4. Test It: Before filling the hole back in, run that sprinkler zone for a moment to check for leaks and ensure the spray pattern is aimed correctly.

When to Call a Pro:

Call a professional if you’re not comfortable with the replacement, if the pipe below the head is also broken, or if the head is stubbornly stuck. We have specialized tools to remove broken parts without damaging the underground pipes and can ensure the new head is installed at the correct height to avoid future damage.

4. Clogged Sprinkler Nozzles

If you see a sprinkler head pop up but it’s spraying unevenly—or not at all—you probably have a clogged nozzle.

Symptoms Checklist:

• Water dribbles out of the head instead of spraying.
• The spray pattern is erratic, blocked, or shoots in odd directions.
• Dry, brown spots appear in an area that used to be green.

Likely Causes:

The cause is almost always dirt, sand, grass clippings, or other small debris getting into the sprinkler line and blocking the tiny opening of the nozzle. This is common after a water main break or if your system doesn’t have a filter.

Simple DIY Troubleshooting:

1. Locate the Clogged Nozzle: Run the system and watch for heads that are underperforming.
2. Clean the Filter Basket: Unscrew the top of the sprinkler head. Below the nozzle, you’ll find a small filter basket. Pull it out, rinse it thoroughly, and replace it.
3. Clean the Nozzle: While the filter is out, clean the nozzle itself. A toothpick or a small piece of wire can be used to gently dislodge debris from the opening.

When to Call a Pro:

If cleaning the nozzle and filter doesn’t work, the clog might be deeper in the pipe. If multiple heads in a zone are clogged, it could signal a larger issue, like a break in the pipe that is letting dirt in. A professional can flush the entire system to clear out widespread debris and inspect the lines for damage.

Keep Your System Running Smoothly in The Hills

A little preventative maintenance goes a long way. Regularly walk your property while the sprinklers are running to spot problems early. Adjust head alignment to avoid watering pavement, and be mindful of where heads are located when mowing.

If you’re facing any of these issues or just want to ensure your system is optimized to save water and money, give us a call. Mr. Sprinkler Repair offers same-week service in The Hills to handle everything from simple nozzle clogs to complex valve repairs. Contact us today for a professional inspection and get your sprinkler system back in perfect shape.