A poorly maintained sprinkler system can waste thousands of gallons of water and damage your lawn. Here are the 5 warning signs you need to watch for to avoid costly repairs and keep your system running efficiently:

1. Poor Water Coverage: Uneven patches of thriving and struggling grass signal blocked or misaligned sprinkler heads.
2. Low Water Pressure: Weak spray patterns or heads that don’t fully rise often point to clogs, leaks, or supply issues.
3. Higher Water Bills: Sudden spikes in your bill could mean hidden leaks wasting up to 25,000 gallons of water monthly.
4. Water Leaks and Puddles: Persistent wet spots, sunken ground, or unusually lush patches indicate visible or underground leaks.
5. Broken Zones and Heads: Faulty zones or damaged sprinkler heads disrupt watering patterns and waste water.

Quick Tip: Regular maintenance can save 15-25% on outdoor water use and prevent small issues from turning into expensive repairs. Pay attention to these signs to protect your lawn and your wallet.

How to Troubleshoot and Fix a Sprinkler Zone that isn’t Working

1. Poor Water Coverage

If your lawn looks like a mix of thriving and struggling patches, your sprinkler system might be the culprit. This is especially common during Sacramento’s dry summers, where proper watering is essential.

Dead Spots vs. Waterlogged Areas

To figure out whether your lawn is getting too little or too much water, take a closer look. Dead spots caused by underwatering often feature dry, brittle grass and compacted soil underneath.

On the other hand, waterlogged areas show very different signs:

• Soggy, spongy soil
• Growth of moss or algae
• A foul, musty smell from the soil
• Grass that wilts even though the ground is wet

What Causes Coverage Problems?

Uneven water distribution can happen for a variety of reasons. Here are some common issues:

Simple Fixes to Try

Before bringing in a professional, you can attempt a few quick solutions to improve water coverage:

• Clean and Realign Sprinkler Heads: Clear any debris from the nozzles and make sure the heads are standing upright.
• Check Overlap: Sprinklers should overlap their spray by 50-60%. For a 30-foot spray diameter, place heads 15-18 feet apart.
• Run a Coverage Test: Sacramento’s dry climate makes this especially useful:
  1. Put empty containers across your lawn in a grid.
  2. Run the sprinklers for 15 minutes.
  3. Measure the water levels. If the difference exceeds 20%, there’s an issue.

Uneven water coverage often ties into pressure problems, which we’ll discuss next.

2. Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure can lead to widespread watering issues, unlike alignment problems that typically cause uneven coverage. Weak sprays or sprinkler heads that only partially rise are common signs of this issue.

Recognizing Pressure Issues

Understanding the signs of low water pressure can help you address the problem faster. The most obvious clue? Weak spray patterns. For instance, if your sprinklers usually cover 15 feet but now only reach 10 feet, low pressure is likely the cause ^[3]. Other indicators include:

Common Causes of Low Pressure

Three main issues typically lead to low water pressure:

• Clogged pipes: Sediment or debris buildup is responsible for about 30% of cases ^[2].
• Hidden leaks: Aging systems often develop leaks, accounting for 25% of pressure problems ^[6].
• Municipal supply issues: Water pressure below 30 PSI from the main supply can also be a factor ^[7].

Fixing Low Pressure Problems

Start by testing your spigot pressure – 30 to 50 PSI is the ideal range ^[7]. Clear any visible blockages in the pipes to improve flow. Ignoring low pressure not only wastes water but can also leave parts of your lawn dry and stressed, especially during Sacramento’s hot summers.

If your pressure drops below 30 PSI or water flow decreases by more than 30% ^[2][6], it’s time to call a professional. They can inspect your system for hidden leaks or blockages. Another red flag to watch for? Unexplained increases in your water bill, which often point to persistent pressure problems.

3. Higher Water Bills

Sudden spikes in your water bill can be a warning sign of serious leaks. For example, a single damaged sprinkler head can waste up to 25,000 gallons of water in just one month – often without any visible damage.

Keep an Eye on Your Water Usage

Knowing your usual water usage can help you spot problems early. Tools like the City of Sacramento‘s water usage portal let residents track their consumption and get alerts for unusual increases.

Seasonal Usage Patterns:

• Summer (Jun-Aug): Water usage typically doubles or triples compared to winter. Investigate if your usage jumps more than 30% compared to the previous year.
• Spring/Fall: Usage is moderate. Look into high usage if it continues during rainy periods.
• Winter: Irrigation needs are minimal. Any unexpected watering should be checked.

If your bill rises by 20-30% compared to the same time last year, it’s a good idea to investigate right away.

Spotting Hidden Leaks

Even small underground leaks can waste massive amounts of water – up to 970 gallons a day – adding $150-$200 to your monthly bill in Sacramento.

Here’s how to check for hidden leaks:

• Turn off all water in your home.
• Record your water meter reading.
• Wait 1-2 hours, then check the meter again.
• If the meter has moved, you likely have a leak.

Catching leaks early not only saves you money but also helps protect your lawn and conserve Sacramento’s water supply.

Leak Impacts by Size:

• 1/32″ leak: About 6,300 gallons per month
• 1/16″ leak: Around 25,000 gallons per month
• 1/8″ leak: A staggering 100,000 gallons per month

Using smart controllers can improve your system’s efficiency between manual checks. Additionally, many water providers offer free water audits to help identify inefficiencies.

Visible damage from persistent leaks will be covered in the next section.

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4. Water Leaks and Puddles

Visible leaks can wreak havoc on your yard, while hidden ones silently inflate your water bills. Here are some common signs to watch for:

• Persistent wet spots: Areas that stay damp long after the watering cycle ends.
• Sunken ground: Noticeable dips in your lawn, especially during dry conditions.
• Unusually lush grass patches: Thick, dark green growth concentrated in specific areas.
• Eroded soil: Often found near sprinkler heads or along pipelines.

In Sacramento, inspections show that 78% of persistent wet spots point to underground leaks ^[2].

Fix Leaks the Right Way

Repair costs can vary depending on the type of leak:

For smaller leaks, you might handle repairs yourself. However, it’s best to call a professional if you notice:

• Multiple leaks at the same time.
• Ongoing water pressure issues after attempting basic fixes.
• Leaks near electrical components.
• Underground leaks that require digging.

Professionals use electronic leak detection, which can locate leaks with 90% accuracy ^[1]. This method reduces unnecessary digging and helps protect your landscaping.

If you’re dealing with Sacramento’s clay-heavy soil, don’t ignore leaks. They can quickly escalate into complete system failures. Document leak locations before repairs to help your plumber work more efficiently.

5. Broken Zones and Heads

Leaks are easy to spot, but malfunctioning parts can quietly disrupt your sprinkler system’s performance. According to the Irrigation Association, 30% of residential sprinkler systems have at least one faulty zone^[4]. This results in wasted water and patchy lawn coverage.

Zone Problems

Zone issues, like pressure problems, often trace back to valve malfunctions. However, they require different fixes. Here are some common signs and causes:

Head Problems

Misaligned sprinkler heads (as mentioned in Section 1) can leave gaps in coverage. Physical damage adds a new layer of inefficiency. The most frequent head problems include:

• Clogged nozzles
• Misaligned spray patterns
• Mechanical failures, such as stuck rotation or retraction

Fix and Replace Parts

For simple repairs, you can handle certain tasks yourself:

“Regular maintenance can extend sprinkler head lifespan by 5 years compared to neglected systems” (Lawn & Landscape)^[3].

When replacing parts, always use components that match your system to maintain even coverage^[1]. However, for more complex issues like electrical solenoid problems, multiple zone failures, or intricate valve repairs, it’s best to call in a professional.

Tackling these mechanical issues ensures your system runs smoothly, addressing everything from uneven watering to broken components.

Sprinkler System Maintenance: Key Takeaways

Keeping your sprinkler system in good shape is essential for a healthy lawn and saving water. Spotting and fixing these five common issues early can help Sacramento homeowners avoid wasting water and protect their landscaping investment.

A neglected system can waste up to 300 gallons of water per cycle ^[5], driving up water bills and harming your lawn. Timely professional repairs can improve efficiency and stop small problems from turning into expensive ones. Ignoring these issues not only increases costs but also impacts your property and the environment.

When you notice problems like uneven water coverage, pressure drops, higher water bills, visible leaks, or zones not working, it’s time to act. Fixing these issues ensures your system runs efficiently, supports Sacramento’s water-saving efforts, and keeps your property in top condition. Staying on top of these warning signs helps you protect both your resources and your lawn.

FAQs

How can I tell if my sprinklers aren’t working properly?

Pay attention to signs like uneven spray patterns, misting, or sprinkler heads that won’t rise. These are often linked to the pressure issues and coverage gaps explained in Sections 1 and 2.

What causes low pressure in my sprinklers?

Low pressure is often due to pipe breaks or worn internal seals, as described in Section 2. Other potential causes include inadequate pressure from the main water supply or leaks in the lines connected to multiple sprinkler heads ^[1]. These problems align with the pressure issues discussed in Section 2.

How do I inspect my sprinkler system?

Here’s a quick checklist based on the 5 key warning signs:

• Check the controller: Ensure it’s functioning correctly.
• Test water pressure: Refer to the guidance in Section 2.
• Inspect physical components: Look for damage, as outlined in Section 5.
• Examine spray patterns: See Section 1 for details.
• Verify zone activation: Confirm all zones are operating, as discussed in Section 5.

This approach ties together inspection methods covered in Sections 1 through 5.