Common Sprinkler Problems in Colleyville, TX

A healthy, green lawn is a source of pride for any Colleyville homeowner. Your automatic sprinkler system is your best tool for keeping it lush, especially during the intense North Texas heat. But when it stops working correctly, you can waste water, damage your landscape, and spend a lot of time and money trying to fix the problem. That’s where Mr. Sprinkler Repair in Colleyville steps in. Proper irrigation maintenance is key to both water efficiency and the health of your turf and plants.

At Mr. Sprinkler Repair, we’ve seen it all. This guide will walk you through four common sprinkler issues we encounter in Colleyville and the surrounding areas. We’ll cover how to spot them, what risks they pose, and whether you can fix them yourself or if it’s time to call in a professional.

1. Fertilizer Contamination Clogging Sprinkler Heads

Many homeowners use fertilizer to keep their lawns vibrant, but granulated fertilizer can easily get into your irrigation system. These small particles can build up and cause significant blockages in sprinkler heads and valves, disrupting your entire system.

Symptoms to Look For

Uneven Spray: One or more heads sputter, dribble, or don’t spray at all.
Heads Don’t Pop Up: Clogged internal parts can prevent the sprinkler head from rising out of the ground.
Brown Patches: Areas of your lawn aren’t getting water due to a clogged head, leading to dry, brown spots.

Risks of Leaving It Unchecked

Ignoring fertilizer clogs leads to underwatered sections of your lawn, creating an uneven and unhealthy appearance. The blockage can also increase pressure in other parts of the system, potentially causing pipes or fittings to burst.

How to Fix It

For a simple head clog, you can often fix it yourself.

Unscrew the Nozzle: Turn the sprinkler head counter-clockwise to remove the top nozzle.
Clean the Filter: Inside, you’ll find a small filter basket. Remove it and rinse it under a faucet to clear out any fertilizer granules or debris.
Flush the Line: With the nozzle still off, run the sprinkler zone for a minute to flush out any debris from the pipe.
Reassemble: Put the clean filter back in and screw the nozzle back on.

When to call a pro: If multiple heads are clogged or if you suspect the blockage is deeper in the system, like in an underground valve, it’s time to call for professional help. Mr. Sprinkler Repair has the tools to flush entire systems and diagnose complex blockages without damaging your lawn.

2. Valve Solenoid Burnout

The solenoid is a small electromagnet that opens and closes each irrigation valve, allowing water to flow to a specific zone. An electrical overload, often from a power surge or faulty wiring, can cause the solenoid to burn out. This leaves the valve stuck either open or closed.

Symptoms to Look For

A Zone Won’t Turn On: A burnt-out solenoid can’t open the valve, so that section of your yard gets no water.
A Zone Won’t Turn Off: If the solenoid fails in the open position, water will run continuously, flooding your lawn and running up your water bill.
Visible Damage: You might see melted plastic or a black, burnt appearance on the solenoid itself, which is located inside the valve box.

Risks of Leaving It Unchecked

A zone that won’t turn off can waste thousands of gallons of water, leading to a surprisingly high utility bill and potential fines for violating local watering restrictions. A zone that won’t turn on will result in a dead patch of grass.

How to Fix It

Replacing a solenoid can be a DIY task if you’re comfortable with basic wiring.

Turn Off the Water: Shut off the main water supply to your irrigation system.
Locate the Faulty Valve: Find your valve box (usually a green rectangular lid in the ground) and identify the solenoid for the malfunctioning zone.
Disconnect the Wires: Carefully disconnect the two wires attached to the old solenoid.
Replace the Solenoid: Unscrew the old solenoid from the valve body and screw in the new one.
Reconnect Wires: Reattach the wires using waterproof wire connectors.
Test the System: Turn the water back on and run the zone from your controller to ensure it works correctly.

When to call a pro: If you’re not comfortable with electrical work, or if replacing the solenoid doesn’t solve the problem, the issue could be with the controller or the field wiring. Our technicians can trace electrical faults and ensure your system is safe and reliable.

3. Sprinkler Heads Too Close to Plants

Proper sprinkler head placement is crucial. When heads are installed too close to flower beds, shrubs, or tree trunks, they can oversaturate the soil around the plant’s base. This is a common issue in established landscapes where plants have grown larger over time.

Symptoms to Look For

Fungus or Mold: You may notice mold or fungal growth on the plant stems or on the soil surface.
Yellowing Leaves: This is a classic sign of overwatering and root rot.
Constantly Wet Soil: The ground around the base of the plant remains soggy long after the sprinklers have finished running.
Water Hitting Trunks or Stems Directly: The spray should water the root zone, not blast the plant itself.

Risks of Leaving It Unchecked

The primary risk is root rot, a fungal disease that thrives in waterlogged soil. It attacks the plant’s roots, preventing them from absorbing nutrients and water, and will eventually kill the plant. Oversaturation also wastes a significant amount of water.

How to Fix It

This problem almost always requires professional adjustment. A simple fix might involve swapping the nozzle for one with a different spray pattern or radius. However, the best solution is often to move the sprinkler head to a more appropriate location. This involves digging, cutting and extending pipes, and ensuring the head is positioned correctly for full coverage without oversaturating nearby plants.

When to call a pro: Relocating sprinkler heads is a complex job. We recommend calling Mr. Sprinkler Repair to ensure it’s done right. We can redesign the layout in that area to accommodate your mature landscape, protecting your plants and conserving water.

4. Debris Blocking Spray Patterns

Over the course of a season, it’s very common for grass to grow over sprinkler heads or for leaves, mulch, and lawn clippings to block the spray pattern. This is one of the simplest issues to fix but one of the most frequently overlooked.

Symptoms to Look For

A Geyser or Fountain: Water shoots straight up because the head is blocked.
A Dry Semi-Circle: You’ll see a half-moon of brown grass next to a very green area, indicating the spray is being blocked in one direction.
Dribbling Heads: The head pops up but water just trickles out, blocked by debris.

Risks of Leaving It Unchecked

Blocked heads lead to inconsistent watering. Some parts of your lawn get too much water, while others get none at all. This results in an unhealthy, patchy lawn and inefficient water use.

How to Fix It

This is an easy DIY fix and a great habit to get into.

Walk Your Yard: Before running your system, walk through each zone and locate all your sprinkler heads.
Clear Around the Heads: Use a string trimmer or edger to cut back any overgrown grass around the pop-up heads. Use your hands to clear away any leaves, dirt, or mulch sitting on top.
Check for Obstructions: Make sure plants haven’t grown in a way that blocks the spray path.

When to call a pro: If clearing the head doesn’t solve the issue, the nozzle itself may be clogged internally (see problem #1). If you’ve cleaned it and it still doesn’t work, it might be time for a professional inspection.

Seasonal Maintenance Checklist for North Texas Lawns

Spring: Run a full system test. Check for leaks, broken heads, and misaligned sprays. Adjust watering schedules as temperatures rise.
Summer: Monitor for dry spots, especially with our clay soil that doesn’t absorb water quickly. Adhere to local watering restrictions in Colleyville. Clear debris from heads weekly.
Fall: Reduce watering frequency as temperatures cool. This is a great time for repairs before winterization.
Winter: Winterize your system to prevent freeze damage to pipes and backflow preventers.

Keep Your Colleyville Lawn Healthy with Mr. Sprinkler Repair

A beautiful lawn shouldn’t be a constant struggle. By staying on top of these common issues, you can ensure your sprinkler system operates efficiently. If you run into a problem you can’t solve, or if you’d just rather leave it to the experts, Mr. Sprinkler Repair is here to help. We offer same-week inspections and reliable service to homeowners throughout Colleyville and beyond.

Don’t let a small sprinkler problem turn into a big headache. Schedule your inspection today!

Call Us: 682-666-6499
Book Now: mrsprinklerrepair.com/schedule-service/