When one zone of your sprinkler system doesn’t work, the problem can usually be isolated to the clogged sprinklers, the zone valve or the sprinkler controller. Begin by looking around the area, then work through step-by-step to determine the issue and correct it.
1. Observe and Identify the Problem
- Informed about common irrigation issues
- Watch how your system behaves when the faulty zone runs.
- Check for dry spots, puddles or soggy areas.
- Compare the health of plants in the affected area to others. Are they browning, dry, or wilting?
- Note the zone number or its location on your controller. This helps narrow down the problem.
2. Check the Sprinkler Heads
Sprinkler heads are usually the easiest solution.
- Blocked nozzles: Dirt, sand or debris can block the flow. Unscrew and rinse them out.
- Misaligned heads: If they’re spraying off the right area, turn or realign them so the spray is going where it should.
- Blockages: The head could be blocked with grass, mulch, or leaves. Also, look for cracks or damage.
3. Inspect Water Pressure and Flow
If sprinklers are weak or not spraying, check your system’s water pressure.
- Low pressure: Confirm that the main water valve is open all the way. Pipe reduction, through crushing or leaks, can also reduce flow.
- High pressure: Excessive force can keep heads from popping up or functioning properly. Pressure to the elbow can be measured just using a pressure gauge.
- Flow tests: With a pitot tube or flow gauge, measure output through each head.
4. Examine the Zone Valve
Each zone has a valve that controls its water supply.
- Manual test: Open the valve box and try activating the zone by hand. If nothing happens, the valve may be stuck.
- Solenoid test: This little electric part operates the valve. It shall make a sound that will serve as an indication that this zone has been activated.
- Pressure regulator: If there’s one installed, verify it’s set properly and not clogged or broken.
Tip: Before you open any valve, always shut off the water supply. For a better outcome you can always hire the expert for professional irrigation repair services.
5. Investigate Electrical Problems
If the mechanical parts all look good, the issue might be electrical.
- Controller problems: Look for error messages on your irrigation controller. Change any blown fuses or reset a breaker.
- Animals, corrosion or digging can cause damage to the wires. Open and look for loose, burned or broken connections.
- Check voltage: A multimeter can be used to verify that power is being supplied to the solenoid.
6. Consider Design or Coverage Issues
In some cases, poor system design causes ongoing issues.
- Not enough heads: Skimpy coverage of a zone results in some areas never receiving enough water.
- No overlap: Heads should spray slightly into each other’s area. Without this, you’ll have patchy spots.
Poor zoning: A zone that’s too big or that has too many plants of different water needs won’t water everything uniformly.
When to Call A&W Irrigation Service
After going through all these steps and your zone still won’t work, it’s time to call the experts. A&W Irrigation Service has the background and equipment to troubleshoot problems such as buried leaks, stuck valves or more complicated electrical matters.
We offer homeowners throughout San Antonio the help they need to keep their irrigation system business right. Whatever the problem, whether it’s something as common as a minor clog or a more serious issue, our team of professionals will take care of it the right way, fast. Contact us TODAY!.
