Annual maintenance prevents most of these occurrences, but you should still be aware of them:ĭamaged pipes lead to flooding and lowered pressure.Ĭlogged sprinkler heads create uneven tension and distribute the water where it isn't needed. Common Problems with Sprinkler SystemsĪ few issues come up with all sprinkler systems through ordinary use. You'll likely need to repair or replace this pipe to regain your flow and pressure control. These problems cause higher pressure in the sprinkler heads above the damage and lower pressure below the crack. While these issues typically cause low pressure, a crack in the pipe can clog with clay and debris, causing the stress to build up in the pipes farther up the irrigation line. You can carefully turn the sprinkler head adjustment screw to adjust the pressure and flow to adapt to your specific irrigation needs. Higher pressure means less water over a broader range lower pressure means more water over a shorter range. Sprinkler heads typically come with an adjustment feature, allowing you to open or close the head valve to affect the flow rate and the pressure and adjust the coverage of your sprinkler zones. This will reduce the water wasted, the damage to your landscaping, and the faster-than-normal wear and tear on your sprinkler system. In this case, you should invest in a pressure regulator valve rated to the current PSI. If your city water is being pumped into your sprinkler system at a higher pressure, this could be the cause of the issue. Most sprinkler systems work best at a maximum water pressure of 40psi. Overly high water pressure in your sprinklers can damage the sprinkler heads, kill or damage your plants, or cause injury or discomfort to those who walk through the spray.Īlternatively, if the pressure is too high in some systems, it creates a mist or a fog instead of a steady rain-like sprinkling. It isn't uncommon for a municipality to temporarily shut off water for a neighborhood to flush out the storm drains, repair a fire hydrant, or do other similar tasks. But instead, it is an issue with the city water supply or a utility disruption. Sometimes, your low pressure isn't an issue with your system. You'll often experience an exceptionally wet area in the yard where the crack, leak, or bend has occurred. If you or the local utility companies have been doing any work in your yard that required digging, you may have damaged your pipes laid underground to transport water to the sprinkler heads. The valve in your backflow prevention system is manually operated, and having the handle set incorrectly can constrict the flow. Checking that all of these are in working order can help you identify the start of your low pressure.īackflow prevention valves may also cause issues if it's not fully open. Some valves control the water going to the sprinkler heads and also that direct water from the source down the pipes. If they are, take a moment to clear out the debris and dig around the sprinkler carefully with a hand trowel to remove grass or rocks that have grown over or washed into the sprinkler space. Others show heavy pressure and damage the plants.Įnsure the head isn't stuck in the grass and mud to fix this. No matter the type of sprinkler head you have, it can get clogged in the openings and cause some sprinklers to have low pressure or trickling flow.
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