When it comes to sprinkler maintenance, sometimes you can fix some of the issues yourself, and sometimes you need to call in a professional. The trick is knowing when to do which. In this blog, we’ll examine the kinds of sprinkler issues you might encounter and whether you should attempt to troubleshoot them yourself or hire a sprinkler expert. Keep reading to learn more.

Sprinkler Turns On When It’s Raining

If your sprinkler system turns on when it’s raining, there is a problem with your rain sensor. Either it’s faulty and needs replacement, has a bad connection to the controller, or is incorrectly installed. In other cases, there could be a blockage interfering with its function.

Before addressing the problem, you must know what rain sensor you installed. Analog rain sensors have an absorbent disc that expands when wet, which activates a mechanism that shuts off the water supply. More advanced digital rain sensors use infrared and other technologies to detect rain. Recalibrating your rain sensor and clearing blockages is simple. However, if these do not work or you have connection issues, you should call in a pro to replace the faulty sensor.

Pooling Water

When your sprinkler system is correctly installed and functioning, there should be even water distribution across the landscape. Wet spots or pooling shouldn’t occur anywhere. However, if wet spots are appearing, there could be a few issues, some of which you can attempt to fix yourself.

Leaky or broken pipes are a common cause of pooling, and repairing a broken pipe is not incredibly difficult. You can attempt this yourself if you have the proper tools, time, and parts. If you find it a bit much or question your ability, you should call a professional.

Besides a leaky pipe, the problem might lie with a faulty sprinkler control valve. The problem could be electrical or mechanical. Either way, leave the valves to the pros. An improperly installed valve can damage the sprinkler system more and cause more expense in the repair. 

Another common cause of pooling is a damaged or faulty sprinkler head. Thankfully, manufacturers have made them easy and quick to replace. You must carefully dig the ground around the head and unscrew it to fit the replacement. Be careful when digging so as not to damage any wiring or pipes. Make sure you get the same sprinkler head as the rest of your system. Mismatching heads will lead to uneven watering and other issues.

Sprinklers Won’t Turn On

If you notice that your sprinklers are not turning on at all or are only turning on partially, there are a few things you should check.

First, check the master valve. If it is faulty, the whole system will go down. If no water is coming into the system at all, you might need to replace it. If the master valve isn’t the problem, you might have an electrical problem. Generally, it’s better to call a professional to deal with this, as the troubleshooting process can be complex. Also, working with electrical circuitry can be dangerous.

Choose Sposato Irrigation

Sposato Irrigation is uniquely positioned to offer high-quality, affordable, and reliable irrigation services to homeowners and business owners in Sussex County, Milton, Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach, Fenwick Island, Ocean View, Millsboro, Dagsboro, and Ocean City, MD. Thanks to our expertise, innovation and decades of professional experience, we can meet the needs of large properties and small gardens. To learn more about our irrigation installation, LED landscape lighting, and commercial irrigation maintenance services, contact us today. We can be reached at 302-645-4773. Also, check us out on Facebook and Twitter.