Is Your Sprinkler Wasting Water? 4 Common Mesquite Problems

Does your water bill seem to climb higher every summer, even when you’re trying to be careful? You might be surprised to learn the culprit could be hiding in plain sight: your sprinkler system. At Mr. Sprinkler Repair in Mesquite, we help Mesquite homeowners identify and solve these issues before they become costly. An inefficient or malfunctioning irrigation system doesn’t just waste a precious resource; it costs you money and can even damage your lawn. Here in Mesquite, Mr. Sprinkler Repair frequently sees the same frustrating and preventable problems pop up year after year—and we know exactly how to address them.

We’ll walk you through the four most common irrigation issues we encounter, from simple fixes to signs you need a professional. Understanding these problems is the first step toward a healthier lawn, a happier wallet, and smarter water use for our community.

1. The High Cost of “Set It and Forget It” Maintenance

The single biggest cause of sprinkler system failure is simple neglect. Many homeowners assume that as long as the sprinklers turn on, everything is fine. Unfortunately, irrigation systems are complex networks of pipes, valves, and heads that need regular attention to work properly. Small, unnoticed issues can quickly turn into major, expensive repairs.

Why It’s a Problem in Mesquite: Our heavy clay soil can shift over time, putting pressure on underground pipes. The intense summer heat also causes components to expand and contract, leading to leaks and misalignments. Without regular checks, a small underground leak can go undetected for weeks, creating a soggy, saturated mess that drowns your grassroots and runs up your water bill.

Early Warning Signs:

• Patches of your lawn are unusually green and mushy, or conversely, dry and brown.
• You notice a drop in water pressure, causing heads to spray weakly.
• Water is pooling on sidewalks or driveways after a cycle.
• You hear a gurgling or hissing sound near a valve box when the system is off.

DIY Check: Once a month, manually run each sprinkler zone for a few minutes while you are home and can watch it. Walk your property and look for heads that are broken, clogged with dirt, or spraying the side of your house instead of the lawn.

When to Call a Pro: If you see any of the warning signs above and can’t spot an obvious cause like a clogged nozzle, it’s time to call for help. Locating and repairing underground leaks or fixing faulty valves requires specialized tools and expertise. Ignoring it will only lead to more significant water loss and potential landscape damage.

2. When Your System’s Brain Forgets: Timer Battery Failure

Your irrigation controller is the brain of the entire system, telling it when to turn on and for how long. Most modern digital controllers have a small backup battery, usually a 9-volt or a pair of AAs. This battery doesn’t power the system’s watering cycles—that’s handled by your home’s AC power. Its job is to save your settings (like watering days and times) during a power outage.

Why It’s a Problem in Mesquite: Our area is no stranger to thunderstorms that can cause brief power flickers. When the power goes out and your controller’s backup battery is dead, the unit resets to its factory default settings. These defaults often include watering every single day for a short duration—a highly inefficient schedule that violates local watering restrictions and does little good for your lawn.

Early Warning Signs:

• You notice your sprinklers are running on days or at times you didn’t schedule.
• After a power outage, your controller’s screen is blank or flashing a “reset” message.

DIY Check: Locate the battery compartment on your controller, which is usually found on the front panel or inside the main wiring compartment. Most manufacturers recommend replacing the backup battery once every year. A great time to do this is during Daylight Saving Time in the spring, just as you’re getting your system ready for the growing season.

When to Call a Pro: If you replace the battery and the controller still won’t hold its program or the screen remains blank, the unit itself may be failing. A professional can diagnose whether it’s a simple wiring issue or if the controller needs to be replaced with a more modern, efficient model.

3. Texas Sun vs. Plastic: UV Damage and Deterioration

Nearly every component of your sprinkler system that sits above ground is made of plastic. While durable, this plastic is constantly under assault from the relentless Texas sun. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation breaks down the chemical bonds in the plastic, making it brittle, faded, and prone to cracking.

Why It’s a Problem in Mesquite: Our long, hot summers with intense sun exposure accelerate this degradation process significantly. Sprinkler heads, nozzles, and riser pipes that are constantly exposed become weak points in your system. A brittle sprinkler head can be easily broken by a lawnmower or even a misplaced step, leading to a geyser of wasted water.

Early Warning Signs:

• Sprinkler head casings are faded from black to a chalky gray.
• You see small, web-like cracks on the plastic bodies of the heads.
• A sprinkler head pops up but water sprays out from its base or a crack in the side instead of the nozzle.

DIY Check: When walking your zones, gently press on the tops of your pop-up sprinkler heads. If the plastic feels flimsy or crunchy, it’s becoming brittle. Also, check any exposed black poly tubing for chalkiness or cracking.

When to Call a Pro: While replacing a single sprinkler head can be a DIY job, if you notice widespread brittleness across your system, it’s a good idea to have a professional assessment. An expert can identify which components are at immediate risk of failure and recommend durable, UV-resistant replacements that are better suited for our climate.

4. Watering in the Rain: The Non-Functional Rain Sensor

A rain sensor is a small but critical device that communicates with your irrigation controller. When it collects a certain amount of rainfall, it signals the controller to pause its scheduled watering cycles. This common-sense device saves water, prevents over-saturating your lawn, and helps you comply with local water conservation rules. However, they often fail without anyone noticing.

Why It’s a Problem in Mesquite: Rain sensors are exposed to the same harsh elements as everything else. The cork-like discs inside can wear out, internal electronics can fail, and sometimes they just get clogged with leaves and debris. When this happens, your system will dutifully water your lawn during a downpour, wasting hundreds of gallons of water.

Early Warning Signs:

• The most obvious sign: your sprinklers are running while it is raining or immediately after a significant storm.
• Your controller may have an indicator light or message showing the sensor is “active” even on a dry day.

DIY Check: First, make sure your sensor is clean and free of leaves, twigs, or other debris. Next, check your controller to ensure the sensor feature is turned on (there is often a bypass switch). To test it, press the small spindle on the top of the sensor; this should interrupt the active watering cycle. You can also pour a small amount of water directly into the sensor to see if it triggers the shutdown.

When to Call a Pro: If you’ve cleaned the sensor, confirmed it’s enabled on your controller, and it still fails the manual test, the unit is likely dead. A professional can quickly replace it, often with a more reliable wireless model, and ensure it’s correctly wired and configured with your controller.

Your Quick Monthly Inspection Checklist

• Run each zone and check for broken or clogged heads.
• Look for pools of water on pavement or mushy spots in the yard.
• Adjust any misaligned heads spraying fences or sidewalks.
• Clean debris from around sprinkler heads and rain sensor.
• Check your controller to ensure the time and watering schedule are correct.

Protect Your Lawn and Your Wallet

Taking a few minutes each month to inspect your irrigation system can save you from costly repairs and sky-high water bills. Being proactive is the best way to ensure your lawn gets the water it needs without wasting a drop.

If you suspect a problem or just want peace of mind, a seasonal tune-up is the best investment you can make in your system’s health and efficiency. Contact Mr. Sprinkler Repair today to request a quote and let our experts get your system in top shape for the Mesquite seasons ahead.