Keeping a lawn green and healthy year-round can take some extra work. You rely on your sprinkler system to maintain your landscape and provide the exact amount of water needed to feed your lawn. Regularly checking and maintaining your lawn irrigation system can help prevent severe damage. Still, if you’re seeing problems with your sprinklers, it may be time to look for a results-driven sprinkler company in Omaha, NE for sprinkler system repairs.
Investing in a quality in-ground system will provide you with lawn watering for many years, and recognizing signs of damage will tell you when to seek out sprinkler repair near you. Professional technicians will evaluate the system and estimate how long it will take to fix the sprinkler system and get your lawn irrigation back up and running in no time.
Use this guide to evaluate your sprinklers for damage and prevent your system from significant damage.
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How to Know If Your Sprinkler Needs Repairs
With so many household systems and appliances to maintain, it can be challenging to know when to call in repairs for your sprinklers. Understanding the signs of sprinkler issues can help you catch problems early and keep your sprinkler system repair cost down.
1. Pressure Problems
If you’re having trouble with your sprinkler pressure, the system might need fixing. Too much water pressure can wear out or damage your system prematurely — too little and your sprinklers won’t deliver the right amount of water to your lawn. Problems with water pressure will insufficiently water your lawn and require adjusting by a technician to prevent further damage.
2. Uneven Watering
Pools of water around concrete and pavement, soaked patches of lawn or dry areas of stressed grass could all be indicators of problems with your in-ground sprinkler system. Sometimes, uneven watering is a sign that your system may need a re-design, or it could be an issue with your sprinkler valves or heads.
If either of these is the case, contact a professional for repairs. Uneven watering can lead to water waste and lawn damage, so ensure proper watering occurs to help you save money and protect your lawn health.
3. Seeping Control Valves
The control valve sends water to each section of your lawn. If the control valve is constantly seeping, your system is wasting water and potentially causing more severe problems. Call Nature’s Helper if you spot constant dampness or puddling around your sprinkler heads.
Also, check for mold, bubbles, grass clippings and dirt around these spots since they can cause problems for the system. Adding a quality sprinkler check valve to your system can keep water inside the system, preventing pooling and holding back elevation pressure.
4. Sputtering Sprinkler Heads
Some pop-up sprinkler heads may move out of position and require adjustment. Clogs and debris in the heads can create sputtering, so clear your sprinkler heads first if this issue occurs. Your irrigation system might need repair if your sprinkler heads are watering in an unusual pattern or uneven streams.
A shortening of the spray pattern could indicate a pressure loss or leak in the zone. Heads that do not come up all the way or do not return completely to their resting position may be worn out and need replacing. Call your professional, results-driven irrigation company to ensure they have the proper replacement heads and nozzles for your system.
5. High Water Bill
Another possible sign your lawn irrigation system needs repair is the water bill. If your water bill increases suddenly and unexpectedly, it could signify sprinkler issues.
Before assuming it’s the sprinkler, check your household appliances to ensure the issue isn’t coming from inside the home. After confirming the problem isn’t inside, look at your sprinkler for leaks or visible damage. It’s likely that a leak is letting water out of the pipes, driving your water bill up.
Quick Tips
To help prevent more severe damage to your system, here are some quick tips to help you with sprinkler upkeep. Ensuring your sprinklers are working at their best will help improve your water efficiency and increase the life of your system.
Some tips to keep your system running smoothly include:
- Clear clogged heads: Once a year or as needed, clean your sprinkler heads. Clogged heads can cause water pressure and delivery issues, so always make sure the heads are clear before calling professional services.
- Remove obstructions: Sand, dirt, rocks and other debris can build up around the sprinkler nozzles and valves. Remove debris or obstacles from these areas to keep water flow smooth and steady. Debris pileup can cause damage to pipes and heads if left unchecked.
- Look for wear and tear: Regularly look for issues with the irrigation system. Run it and check for cracked pipes, leaks, misdirected water and malfunctioning parts. Checking for broken or damaged sections will help you catch issues early on, preventing you from paying for extensive repairs or system overhauls.
- Check water distribution: The system should direct water to the desired areas evenly and with suitable coverage when installation occurs. Sometimes, missed or uneven areas show up after installation. This could be an issue with sprinkler heads or your system might not sit correctly. Run your sprinklers and watch for yellow or dry patches, indicating an area isn’t receiving water.
- Practice good start-up habits: When sprinklers sit dormant all winter, you’ll need to properly start up your sprinkler system. An improper start-up can lead to excess water pressure that damages pipes or valves. Practicing gradual sprinkler start-up will prevent issues with the system and keep your system working after a winter of sitting unused.
Keeping an irrigation system running at top efficiency for many years means performing regular checks and inspections. Preventative maintenance with a sprinkler service plan can help your system last its entire life span. Regular professional maintenance from Nature’s Helper can help catch issues early on, saving you money on expensive, more extensive repairs.
If you’re practicing good sprinkler maintenance and these repair signs are still showing up, it could be time to upgrade your sprinkler system. The upfront cost of installing a new system might be high at first, but an old, worn-down system is more expensive in the long run. Talk to your technician about upgrading your system to ensure your lawn receives the best, most cost-efficient care possible.
Contact Nature’s Helper for Your Sprinkler System Repairs in Omaha, NE
At Nature’s Helper, we’re dedicated to providing you with the best Omaha sprinkler repair and installation.
As a recognized Certified Irrigation Contractor (CIC) and an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WaterSense partner, our expert team is trained to perform services on all popular sprinkler brands, even if we didn’t install them. If you’re looking for results-driven, expert sprinkler system repairs, trust Nature’s Helper with all your irrigation needs.
With over 24 years of experience, our company provides high-quality sprinkler services at affordable rates so you can receive the best in sprinkler installation, maintenance and repair. To request a sprinkler service or estimate, contact us for expert assistance and give your irrigation system the care and professionalism it needs.