Think about it this way: when it comes to sprinkler pipe repair, it costs anywhere between $6 and $8 per square foot to replace the equipment and materials you need. While that may not sound too expensive at first, sprinkler system repairs usually add up to a decent amount when it’s all said and done.
Want to learn more about fixing a sprinkler?
If that’s the case, then you’ve come to the right place. Take a look at five sprinkler repair tips you need to know below!
1. Keep Your Sprinkler Heads Clean
First things first, keeping your sprinkler heads clean is a must when it comes to sprinkler maintenance and repair. In case you didn’t know, it’s super easy for your sprinkler heads to get clogged with ground residue, dirt, and more. As a result, your clogged sprinkler head may not evenly distribute water across your lawn.
The result is this: ugly, brown, dry spots across your front yard. That’s why it’s so important to make sure that your sprinkler head is clear and clean. This is essentially the key to keeping your entire sprinkler system running correctly.
To get started, it helps to set a reminder each year to take care of your sprinkler heads and ensure that the water flow is consistent across your lawn. That way, you’ll automatically double-check that your water pressure stays consistent as well.
All that you have to do is:
- Turn off your irrigation system
- Remove your sprinkler nozzle
- Soak your sprinkler nozzle
The next step is to get in touch with the manufacturer of your sprinkler irrigation system to find out the best way to clean off your sprinkler heads. In addition to this, it doesn’t hurt to keep a close eye on any clogs while you’re using your sprinklers in the meantime.
2. Take Care of Leaky Sprinklers
As you may already know, a tiny leak in your sprinkler system could create a much bigger problem later on down the line. In addition to your garden and lawn receiving way “too much water” at the source of the leak, you may also experience “too little irrigation” in other spots in their yard. On top of that, don’t be surprised if your water bill continues to soar each month too.
How can you possibly fix this, you ask?
The answer is simple – Constantly monitoring the overall water flow of your entire sprinkler system. To do so, it helps to make sure that your:
- Water pressure is consistent
- The lawn doesn’t have any super dry areas
- The lawn doesn’t have any super wet areas
Now that we’ve got that covered, make sure that you don’t ignore your leaky sprinkler system. Instead, taking action is the best step to make sure that you avoid any nasty lawn puddles, dry spots, and more. To get started constantly take a look at the installation guide that came with your sprinkler system to find out how to repair it. If that doesn’t work, it doesn’t hurt to get in touch with an irrigation expert either.
3. Check Your Sprinkler Valves
Unfortunately, the majority of sprinkler leaks are the result of a faulty valve. These are the special plastic parts that can help keep the water running in the right direction from the source. Using a manifold or valve assembly, your sprinkler system knows exactly how far your water flow needs to go.
However, when you have an issue with your sprinkler valve, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Irregular water pressure
- Wetter areas of your yard
- Drier areas of your yard
As a result, it’s probably a good idea to check the valves that are located in both your individual sprinkler heads and your central valve assembly area. While you’re at it, you should check out the coordinating spots beneath your grass too. For the uninitiated, your central valve assembly area is usually located underground or above ground near your house.
Once you find it, look out for signs of disrepair like rips or cracks in every one of your valves. Problem solved!
4. Repair Any Faulty Pipes
The next thing that you should do is repair any faulty pipes that may appear in your sprinkler system. While your pipes should be strong enough to withstand everyday wear and tear, they may fall victim to other accidents in the yard such as:
- A burst of water pressure
- A confrontation with a garden spade
- An incident with a shovel
As soon as you notice that your pipes are damaged, take a look at your sprinkler system installation guide to find out how to repair faulty pipes as soon as you can.
5. Test Out to Your Voltage
Here comes the hard part – testing out the voltage on your sprinkler system. To get started, use your multimeter to get a “voltage reading.” Once this is done, you’ll be able to tell if all your sprinkler systems electrical parts are working. This includes everything from your:
- Transformer
- Controller
- Solenoid
- Wiring
Fortunately for you, conducting a multimeter test isn’t that hard to do. However, if you’re electronically challenged, you might want to call in an electrician or an irrigation expert.
On the hunt for sprinkler repair you can trust?
Pro tip: It doesn’t hurt to do your research first!
Get Serious About Sprinkler Repair
Still confused about sprinkler repair? Sick of googling “sprinkler head leaking?” Whether it’s a broken sprinkler or your sprinkler system simply needs an update, you’re covered. Luckily for you, there are experts when it comes to sprinkler valve problems.
Looking for more home repair advice? If yes, don’t hesitate to take a look at the rest of my blog now!