How to Find a Leak in a Sprinkler System
Landscaping is an important part of any home. Not only does it add curb appeal and aesthetic value to a house, a yard is also where many favorite activities take place. Everyone wants to be able to enjoy their landscape, and that means investing in it and caring for it; particularly, and most importantly, keeping it properly watered. It is fairly common to have a sprinkler system these days, but what happens when the sprinklers run into trouble? Sprinkler repair is not always an easy process, so we’re going to explain the basics. That way you’ll know what to expect if and when you need to call us for a little help.
Signs You Have a Leak
Before a professional can come and fix the problem, they have to know it exists. That means you need ways to identify a leak in your sprinkler system in order to get help in the first place. Thankfully, most leaks make it clear that something is wrong. These are the most common signs that your sprinkler system has a leak.
Spike in Your Water Bill
If your water bill jumps and you don’t know why, you likely have a leak. That doesn’t mean it’s in your sprinkler system, but if you’re sure you don’t have a leaky faucet or running toilet, the sprinklers are a likely source of the issue. If you can pair a high water bill with any of the signs below, then you know the issue.
Keep in mind that not all sprinkler leaks will raise the water bill. If a leak sits between valves, then the leak will only present itself when the sprinklers are turned on. That can make things tricky.
A Dying Lawn
Unexplained dead patches or fungus in your lawn can be a hassle to resolve. There are many potential causes. If they pair with a high water bill, you probably have a sprinkler leak. Even if that isn’t the case, you might be able to tell that your sprinklers aren’t all spraying equally. That’s a sign of a leak too.
Wet Spots in the Yard
Wet spots can be the most obvious sign of a leak, but sometimes they’re more subtle. Oftentimes, you’ll need to look for smaller wet spots when any of the other signs are apparent. Put together, these different indicators can tell you the root problem.
Overt Damage
The most obvious sign that you have a leak is an unwanted fountain of water somewhere. Similarly, flooding and other large signs of water damage can indicate a burst pipe. Whenever you have such obvious signs, get help as soon as possible. Water damage can be extensive and expensive, and it can happen very quickly.
Finding the Leak
With the leak indicators listed above, finding the source of the problem can be much easier. When the cause of a leak isn’t obvious, there’s a process to locate the problem, and it involves experience-based professional tests.
In the 30-plus years we’ve been in business, the experienced professionals at Andy’s Sprinkler, Drainage, & Lighting have serviced tens of thousands of homes and businesses, and utilize that knowledge to help diagnose and fix even the most stubborn sprinkler leaks.
Exposing the Area
At Andy’s, the reason we put so much effort into locating a system leak is that many problems happen underground. That means that the repair process ultimately requires digging, and we want to dig up as little lawn as possible.
We always aim to minimize digging, but some leaks are bigger than others and require a lot more excavation. We’ll always do our best, but the true scope of digging isn’t always up to us.
Making Repairs
The last step in the process is replacing broken parts. It’s the most straightforward, and as long as we can get to the problem, we can usually fix it right away. When the repairs are finished, we’ll test the whole system to be sure there aren’t any other problems. And don’t forget that all Andy’s repairs are backed by a 1-year labor warranty.
That’s the whole repair process. Each step is pretty straightforward, but it’s the years of experience and professional training that make the repair process predictable, fast, and affordable. It’s precisely that way because we do this all the time that you can have so much confidence in our repairs. This is also why we never want you to hesitate to call us at Andy’s Sprinkler, Drainage, & Lighting if you’re having issues with your sprinkler system.