Sprinkler Repair in Boerne: 4 Common Issues and Fixes

Keeping your Boerne lawn lush and green in the heart of the Texas Hill Country is a balancing act. With our unique climate, characterized by intense sun and periods of drought, a functional sprinkler system isn’t a luxury—it’s essential for a healthy landscape. That’s where Mr. Sprinkler Repair in Boerne comes in. When your system breaks down, it can lead to brown patches, wasted water, and high utility bills, not to mention potential fines for violating local water restrictions. Let us help keep your sprinkler system in top shape and your lawn thriving.

Many homeowners feel frustrated when their irrigation system stops working correctly. At Mr. Sprinkler Repair, we understand how important it is to keep your system running smoothly. You might see a geyser in your front yard or notice dry spots that never seem to get enough water. Understanding the root cause of these problems is the first step toward a solution. This guide will walk you through four common sprinkler issues we see in the Boerne area, offering practical tips to diagnose and fix them, and advice on when it’s time to call in the professionals.

1. Vandalism and Intentional Damage

It’s an unfortunate reality, but sometimes sprinkler systems are intentionally damaged. This can range from kids playing too roughly in the yard to deliberate acts of vandalism. The visible signs are often obvious, but the underlying damage can be more complex than it appears. A broken sprinkler head can waste thousands of gallons of water in a short time, damaging your lawn and running up your water bill.

Common Signs of Vandalism

• Obviously broken or snapped sprinkler heads.
• Heads that have been kicked or twisted completely out of the ground.
• Cracked or shattered valve boxes.
• Cut or damaged control wires near the controller or valve boxes.

What to Do First

Your first priority is to stop the water flow to prevent flooding and waste. Locate your system’s main shut-off valve, which is often near your water meter or where the main water line enters your property. If you can’t find it, you may need to shut off the water to your entire house temporarily. Once the water is off, inspect the damage more closely. A simple broken head might be a straightforward replacement, but severed pipes or damaged wiring will require a more involved repair.

When to Call a Professional

If you notice multiple broken heads, visible damage to underground pipes, or exposed and cut wires, it’s best to call for professional help. An expert can quickly assess the full scope of the damage, repair or replace broken components with commercial-grade parts, and ensure the entire zone is functioning correctly. Mr. Sprinkler Repair can handle everything from simple head replacement to complex pipe and wiring repairs to get your system back in service securely.

2. Controller Failures

Your sprinkler controller is the brain of the entire irrigation system. It tells your sprinklers when to turn on, how long to run, and which zones to water. When it fails, your entire watering schedule is thrown into chaos. You might find that your sprinklers run at the wrong times, don’t run at all, or run continuously.

Symptoms of a Failing Controller

• The display screen is blank or frozen.
• The system doesn’t respond when you try to run a manual cycle.
• Watering schedules are erratic or ignored completely.
• A single zone stays on and won’t shut off.

Common Causes and Simple Fixes

Controller problems often stem from a few key issues. Before calling for service, you can try a few basic troubleshooting steps. First, check the power source. Is it plugged into a working GFCI outlet? Try resetting the outlet if it has tripped.

Next, you can try a hard reset. Unplug the controller from the wall and disconnect its backup battery. Wait about five minutes, then reconnect the battery and plug it back in. This can sometimes clear firmware glitches. If the problem persists, the issue could be with the internal components, old wiring, or a power surge that has damaged the unit.

Guidance on Replacement

If a reset doesn’t work, your controller may have reached the end of its life. Modern “smart” controllers offer significant advantages, including weather-based adjustments that automatically comply with Boerne’s water restrictions and the ability to control your system from your phone. A professional can help you select and install a new controller that is compatible with your existing system and will provide years of reliable, efficient service.

Boerne Water Conservation Tip

Did you know that watering in the early morning (before 10 a.m.) reduces water loss from evaporation by up to 30%? Adjusting your controller to run during these cooler hours is one of the easiest ways to conserve water and keep your landscape healthy.

3. Incorrect Nozzle Types

Not all sprinkler nozzles are created equal. Different parts of your landscape have different watering needs, and using the wrong nozzle type can lead to overwatering, underwatering, and significant waste. For example, a high-flow nozzle designed for a large turf area will quickly flood a small flower bed, potentially damaging delicate plants and wasting water on surrounding pavement.

How to Identify a Mismatch

Look at how your system operates. Do you see a fine mist that gets carried away by the wind? Your water pressure might be too high for your current nozzles. Do you have puddles forming in some areas while others remain bone-dry? You likely have mismatched nozzle types or poor head placement. Common signs of incorrect nozzles include:

• Significant overspray onto sidewalks, driveways, or your house.
• Water running off your lawn and into the street.
• Dry, brown spots in an otherwise green lawn.

Selecting the Right Nozzles

The general rule is to match the nozzle to the area it’s watering.

• Turf Areas: Rotary nozzles or high-efficiency spray nozzles are excellent for large, open lawn areas. They deliver water more slowly and uniformly, allowing the soil to absorb it effectively.
• Flower Beds and Shrubs: Use bubblers, drippers, or low-volume spray nozzles. These deliver water directly to the root zone of the plants without soaking the foliage, which helps prevent fungal diseases.

A professional irrigation technician can perform a water audit to identify these inefficiencies and recommend the correct nozzles to ensure every part of your yard gets exactly the water it needs, and no more.

4. Sticking Rotary Heads

Rotary sprinkler heads are designed to turn smoothly, distributing water over a large arc. When a head gets stuck, it stops rotating and concentrates all its water in one spot. This over-saturates one area while leaving the rest of its designated zone completely dry. The result is often a swampy patch of lawn surrounded by a crescent of brown, stressed turf.

Causes of Sticking Heads

The most common culprit is debris. Dirt, sand, grass clippings, or small pebbles can get inside the head’s internal gear mechanism, jamming it. Other causes include:

• Low Water Pressure: If the pressure is too low, it may not be sufficient to power the head’s rotation.
• Internal Wear and Tear: Over time, the plastic or metal gears inside the head simply wear out and fail.

DIY Cleaning Steps

You can often fix a sticking head yourself. First, turn on the zone and locate the stuck head. Lower the pop-up riser and turn it by hand to see if you can dislodge the debris. If that doesn’t work, you can try cleaning it more thoroughly. Turn off the water, unscrew the top of the sprinkler head (where the nozzle is), and lift out the internal assembly. Rinse it carefully under a faucet to remove any visible dirt or grit from the filter screen and gears.

When to Replace the Head

If cleaning the head doesn’t solve the problem, or if it starts sticking again soon after, the internal mechanism is likely worn out. At this point, replacement is the best option. While replacing a single head is a manageable DIY project for some, an irrigation professional can ensure the new head is the correct model, installed at the proper height, and adjusted for optimal coverage.

Your Boerne Sprinkler Experts Are Here to Help

A healthy lawn and an efficient sprinkler system go hand in hand. While some minor issues can be fixed with a little troubleshooting, more complex problems like controller failures, pipe damage, and persistent zone issues are best left to the experts.

Don’t let sprinkler problems ruin your landscape or your water bill. The team at Mr. Sprinkler Repair in Boerne has the experience and tools to diagnose and fix any issue, big or small. We offer same-week appointments to get your system running perfectly again.