A landscape sprinkler system can make life much easier since you won't have to worry about manually maintaining a watering schedule. This automation can be ruined, though, if one of your sprinkler heads isn't working properly. Most systems feature pop-up sprinkler heads that become virtually invisible when they are in operation. This can sometimes make it difficult to spot a problem until you have a dry spot in the yard. The following guide can help you troubleshoot why your sprinkler head is failing to pop-up.
Is the head mechanically sound?
It isn't uncommon for a sprinkler head to break, especially near a street or sidewalk. Lawnmowers are the usual culprit, but cars and pedestrians can also accidentally break a sprinkler head. Damage is typically easy to spot, too. If the head or its casing is cracked or warped, it's time to replace it. In fact, sprinkler head replacements are inexpensive, so even if you aren't sure it is worth it to try replacing the head before further trying to troubleshoot the problem. Often a replacement is all that is needed.
Has dirt clogged the sprinkler bay?
Dirt, debris, and grass can all fall into the pop-up sprinkler bay. This is especially problematic in the spring when you first start running the system again for the season. Check the heads to make sure nothing is blocking them from popping up. In some cases, you may need to dig out some of the debris so the sprinklers can move up smoothly. If you are unsure about the location of the sprinklers, run the system for a moment or two. You should be able to tell where the problem sprinklers are from either triangulating from the working heads or spotting water trying to bubble to the surface.
What is the water pressure like?
Insufficient water pressure can also be the culprit. There are two causes of poor water pressure—a worn out pressure regulator valve or a leak. An irrigation repair service can check for both. If the valve is damaged, a simple replacement will get your sprinklers working properly again. For a leak, you need to first determine where the leak has occurred. If only one sprinkler head is affected, then you know the leak is somewhere on the short water line that feeds that sprinkler. If several sprinklers aren't working, then you need to have the main line that feeds them inspected for leaks. Once the line has been pinpointed, it can be dug up and replaced.
For more help, contact a sprinkler repair service such as A Ronnow Lawn Sprinkler, Inc.
