A well-functioning lawn sprinkler system is a beautiful thing. It helps your lawn stay green and healthy all season long, with minimal effort on your part. But what happens when your system starts acting up? In this blog post, we’ll walk you through some common problems with lawn sprinkler systems and how to troubleshoot them.
Two Types of Sprinkler Valves
First, it’s important that you know what type of sprinkler system you have: manual or automatic.
- A manual sprinkler system works just like a garden hose. You turn the valve on when you want to water your lawn, and you turn it off when you’re done.
- An automatic sprinkler system lets you set a schedule for when you want the sprinklers to turn on and off, and it will do so. This type does require some electrical work during the installation.
Troubleshooting Tips for Sprinkler System Problems
For both types of sprinkler systems, the following troubleshooting tips should work fine:
1. The water pressure is too weak
If you notice that water is coming out of the sprinkler heads at low pressure, you should check the backflow preventer to ensure the valves are fully opened and there are no clogs or damage. The most common type of backflow preventer is a pressure vacuum breaker (PVB). This device has an intake shut-off valve and an outflow shut-off valve. You should check that both valves are opened all the way to ensure the water can flow freely into your sprinkler system.
2. One or more of your sprinkler heads is not working
If you notice that water isn’t reaching certain areas of your lawn, the first thing you should do is check the sprinkler heads to make sure they’re not clogged. If they are, remove the sprinkler heads and clear them out so the water can spray through them easily. If that doesn’t solve the problem, it could be that the pipes leading to those heads are clogged. You may need to call in a professional to take a closer look.
3. Your sprinkler system won’t shut off
If you can’t get your sprinkler system to turn off, look for the shut-off valve. On most systems, it should be located at or close to the point where your sprinkler system connects to your main water line. The valve should be turned so that it is perpendicular to the water pipe. You may have a shut-off valve underground instead; in which case you’ll want to get a sprinkler valve key from your local hardware store. This is a long handle that helps you get the leverage you need to open or close your underground shut-off valve.
Call Rocketman for Fast Sprinkler System Repair
If you’re still having issues after trying these tips, or if your sprinkler problem wasn’t listed above, call Rocketman Plumbing, a leading team of Albuquerque plumbers. Our expert technicians will help you get your sprinkler system in working order so you can keep your lawn and garden healthy. And if you’re interested in installing a sprinkler system or switching from a manual sprinkler to an automatic sprinkler, we can take care of that for you in no time.
Call us at 505-375-6602 to schedule an appointment today.