Your Guide to Sprinkler Repair in Azle, TX

A healthy, green lawn is a point of pride for any homeowner in Azle. Your sprinkler system is the unsung hero that makes it possible, working behind the scenes to keep your landscape thriving. But what happens when it stops working correctly? Issues like soggy patches, dry spots, or a controller that won’t cooperate can turn your lawn care routine into a frustrating puzzle. When these problems arise, the experts at Mr. Sprinkler Repair are ready to help.

Before minor problems become major headaches, it’s important to understand what’s going on with your irrigation system. At Mr. Sprinkler Repair in Azle, we’re here to help you keep your sprinklers running smoothly. This guide will walk you through four common sprinkler issues we see in the Azle area. We’ll cover the signs, what you can check yourself, and when it’s time to call in a professional for sprinkler repair.

Is Your Lawn Waterlogged?

A waterlogged lawn is more than just an inconvenience; it can suffocate your grass roots and lead to disease. When soil becomes overly saturated, water displaces the oxygen that roots need to survive, causing yellowing grass, root rot, and even fungus growth.

Causes and Signs of a Waterlogged Lawn

The most obvious cause is too much water. This could be from excessive rainfall combined with your regular watering schedule or, more commonly, an issue with the sprinkler system itself.

Look for these signs:

• Puddles that remain long after the sprinklers turn off.
• Spongy or mushy ground when you walk on it.
• Yellowing or thinning patches of grass.
• A noticeable increase in mushrooms or other fungi.
• Water running off your lawn and onto sidewalks or streets.

What Homeowners Can Check

Before calling for a repair, you can perform a few simple checks. First, review your controller’s settings. Are you watering too frequently or for too long? North Texas clay soil absorbs water slowly, so shorter, more frequent cycles are often better than one long soaking.

Next, inspect the sprinkler heads in the affected area. A head that is stuck in the “on” position or a broken nozzle can release a constant flow of water, quickly saturating the ground.

When to Call a Pro

If adjusting runtimes doesn’t solve the problem, it’s time for a professional diagnosis. A hidden leak in an underground pipe or a malfunctioning valve could be the culprit. Our technicians have specialized equipment to locate these issues without digging up your entire yard, providing a precise and efficient lawn irrigation repair in Azle.

Overlapping Sprinkler Zones and Dry Spots

A well-designed sprinkler system should provide head-to-head coverage, meaning each sprinkler’s spray reaches the next one. When zones overlap too much, you get overwatering. When they don’t overlap enough, you get dry, brown patches. Both waste water and damage your lawn.

Causes and Signs of Poor Coverage

Improper sprinkler head spacing is the primary cause of overlapping or gapped zones. This can happen during a DIY installation or if the original design wasn’t optimized for your specific landscape. Over time, heads can also get tilted or blocked by overgrown plants, altering their spray pattern.

Look for these signs:

• Distinctly green patches right next to brown, dry areas.
• Lush, overgrown grass in some spots while other areas struggle.
• Visible arcs of water spraying over the same area from different heads.
• Water spraying onto driveways, patios, or the side of your house.

What Homeowners Can Check

A simple “tuna can test” can help you identify coverage issues. Place several empty, flat-bottomed cans (like tuna or cat food cans) across your lawn and run your sprinklers for 15-20 minutes. Afterward, measure the water in each can. If some have significantly more or less water than others, your coverage is uneven.

You can also adjust the arc and radius on individual sprinkler heads. Most have small screws or collars that allow for fine-tuning. Ensure the nozzles are clean and not clogged with dirt or debris.

When to Call a Pro

If adjustments don’t fix the dry spots or overwatering, the problem likely lies in the system’s design. A professional can assess head spacing, nozzle selection, and water pressure to create a balanced system. We might recommend moving heads, changing nozzles to better match the area (e.g., using a low-flow nozzle for a slope), or even re-zoning parts of your system for optimal performance.

Sprinkler Controller Manual Override Not Working

Your sprinkler controller is the brain of the operation. The manual override function is crucial for testing zones, performing maintenance, or giving your lawn a quick extra drink on a hot day. When it fails to respond, it can be a sign of an electrical issue.

Causes and Signs of Controller Issues

Controller problems often stem from age, power surges, or internal wiring faults. Sometimes, the issue isn’t the controller itself but the signal it’s trying to send.

Look for these signs:

• Pressing the “manual start” button does nothing.
• The controller display is blank or shows an error message.
• You try to run a zone manually, but a different zone turns on instead.
• The system runs at unexpected times, ignoring your programmed schedule.

What Homeowners Can Check

Start with the basics. Is the controller plugged into a working outlet? Check your home’s circuit breaker to see if it has tripped. Some controllers have a reset button you can press. You can also try unplugging it for a few minutes and plugging it back in to reboot the system. Make sure the controller’s rain sensor (if you have one) is not activated or malfunctioning, as this can prevent manual operation.

When to Call a Pro

If a simple reset doesn’t work, avoid tampering with the internal wiring. A faulty controller can send incorrect electrical signals to the valves, potentially damaging them. A professional can safely test the transformer, terminal connections, and solenoids to identify the point of failure. Whether it’s a bad solenoid, a cut wire, or a fried controller, we can perform the sprinkler repair in Azle and get your system back online.

Problems with a Well Pump Sprinkler System

Many properties in and around Azle rely on well water for irrigation. These systems use a pump to draw water and provide adequate pressure for the sprinklers. When the pump fails, the entire system grinds to a halt.

Causes and Signs of a Failed Pump System

Pump failure can be caused by electrical issues, a drop in the water table, a clogged intake line, or simple mechanical wear and tear.

Look for these signs:

• Your sprinklers don’t turn on at all.
• Heads pop up, but only a trickle of water comes out.
• The pump makes a humming or clicking sound but doesn’t engage.
• You hear the pump running continuously, even when the sprinklers are off.

What Homeowners Can Check

First, check the pump’s power supply and circuit breaker. Ensure the pump’s pressure switch is functioning correctly. Sometimes, a pump can lose its prime (the water inside it that creates suction) and may need to be re-primed. You can check the pressure gauge on your system; if it reads zero, there is no pressure in the system.

When to Call a Pro

Diagnosing and repairing a well pump sprinkler system requires specialized knowledge of both pumps and irrigation. Issues like a bad pressure switch, a failed capacitor, or a problem with the well itself are not DIY-friendly. Our technicians are experienced with these systems. We can perform pressure checks, test electrical components, and determine if the issue is with the pump, the controller, or the sprinkler lines.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How often should I have my sprinkler system inspected?
   We recommend a professional inspection at least once a year, typically in the spring before you begin regular watering. This helps catch small issues before they become costly repairs.
   
   
2. Why are my sprinkler heads not popping up?
   This is usually due to low water pressure. It could be caused by a leak in the main line, a partially closed valve, a clogged filter, or a failing pump in well-fed systems.
   
   
3. Can I save money by repairing my own sprinkler system?
   For simple tasks like cleaning a nozzle or adjusting a spray pattern, a DIY approach can work. However, for electrical issues, underground leaks, or pump problems, calling a professional is safer and often more cost-effective in the long run.
   
   
4. My water bill suddenly spiked. Could it be my sprinklers?
   Absolutely. A single broken sprinkler head or a hidden underground leak can waste thousands of gallons of water per month. If your water bill is unexpectedly high, your irrigation system is one of the first places to check.

Your Local Azle Sprinkler Repair Experts

A beautiful lawn shouldn’t be a source of stress. If you’re dealing with any of these issues, don’t wait for the problem to get worse. At Mr. Sprinkler Repair, we offer fast and reliable service to homeowners throughout Azle and the surrounding neighborhoods. We provide same-day or next-day appointments to get your system running efficiently again.

Contact us today to schedule your repair!

Call us at: 817-813-9333
Or fill out our online form: mrsprinklerrepair.com/schedule-service/