Your Sprinkler System Troubleshooting Guide

by DoItYourself Staff

A sprinkler system can give your grass the water it needs and make your lawn lush and green. The system can consist of a simple sprinkler at the end of a hose that you move to different parts of your lawn or it can be an intricate in-ground system that automatically turns on and off.

Sprinkler System Problems

As much as a sprinkler system can be a convenience in watering a lawn, it can also develop problems. Review the following troubleshooting guide to help you solve some of the more frequent and common problems.

Water Does Not Turn On

One of the most common problems with a sprinkler system is that the water does not turn on at the designated time. This is usually caused by an electrical problem or an incorrect setting on the timing mechanism. To correct the problem:

Check the AM/PM setting on the automatic timer.
Check all electrical connections. Make sure they are connected and are not corroded.
Check water flow valve that is probably located near the house to determine if water is flowing from the sprinkler pump.
Check the electrical fuse box to make sure that the switch is on. Your fuse box is usually located in the garage and is a gray or white key box attached to the wall.

System Clogs

If you have completed the steps listed above and still do not have water, then you may have a clog in the main supply line. To fix the problem, take the access cover off of the pump and feed a flexible wire snake into line to dislodge the obstruction or force it through the line.

Water Comes Through Sprinkler in a Mist

If water is not flow properly through the sprinkler head, you may have a hard water build up or a clog in the PVC tube supplying the sprinkler head. Fixing it is quick and easy.

Shut off the sprinkler system and remove the head by unscrewing it from the mechanism.
Soak the sprinkler head in a calcium remover purchased from a hardware store.
Use a flexible wire to unclog the PVC pipe.
Replace the sprinkler head and test water output to determine whether the flow is adequate. Chances are things will be back to normal.

Lawn Has Standing Puddle

If you find a puddle of water in your lawn, then you probably have a leak in the system line.

Shut off water to the sprinkler system and remove water from the line, using a pump or squeegee.
Carefully dig up the ground around the leaking pipe.
Cut out the section of pipe that is leaking and insert new piece of PVC. Glue it into place using a PVC cement.
Turn on water to see if the leak is repaired.
Fill in the hole, patch the sod, and your system will again be ready to help your lawn achieve a beautiful green color.