A well-maintained sprinkler system increases the value of your home and saves you money on water. However, sprinkler problems can happen, and addressing them promptly is key to a healthy lawn and cost-efficient irrigation. Contact Sprinkler Repair Harrisburg PA now
Sprinkler repair typically involves replacing parts above ground, and can take less than an hour if everything goes smoothly. However, issues below ground require digging and may take longer to resolve.
Whether they’re spraying water in the wrong direction or leaving sod and landscaping covered in green puddles, broken sprinkler heads can cause serious problems. It’s important to address them as soon as you notice them so that your yard doesn’t flood, and so that you don’t waste any money on unnecessary watering.
Thankfully, fixing a broken sprinkler head is fairly easy. Start by turning off the system, and carefully dig out a 1- to 2-inch circle around the head. Next, unscrew the old head and screw on the new one. Make sure the new head is the same type as the old one (take it with you to the hardware store if possible). Sprinkler heads differ in many ways, from how high they shoot and their throwing distance to the amount of water they distribute each minute. If you install the wrong kind, your entire sprinkler zone will water unevenly.
Sprinkler heads can become dislodged from lawn mower accidents, foot traffic, or simple wear and tear. But even if the sprinkler head isn’t completely broken, it should be replaced as soon as possible to prevent water wastage and flooding.
To replace a sprinkler head, shut off the irrigation system and unscrew it from its riser. Then screw on the new head, being careful not to kick dirt into the hole. If your sprinkler system uses smart controllers, you may also need to replace the solenoid. To do this, find the covered valve box, and locate the bundled wires that connect to the solenoid. Remove the wire nut from the bundle, and unscrew the solenoid with your hands. Once the solenoid is removed, you can reconnect the white wire to the system’s controller using a wire nut, and connect the other wire (which may be red or black) to the system’s power wire with a wire nut.
Irregular Spray Patterns
Irregular spray patterns are caused by a variety of issues, including incorrect pressure settings, damaged or worn spray tips, or inconsistent paint viscosity. Uneven spray patterns are not only unattractive, but can also increase material waste and labor costs due to overspray. Check the pressure settings on your spray gun and adjust them according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Inspect the spray tip for wear and replace it if necessary to ensure optimal performance. Matter can also build up on the filters of a spray gun or proportioner, partially plugging them and causing an irregular spray pattern. Remove and clean the filters as needed.
Leaky Sprinklers
Leaky sprinklers are a common problem that can lead to high water bills and lawn damage. They also waste water and encourage weed growth. Fortunately, fixing them is relatively easy. Start by shutting off the water supply to the sprinkler head in question. If the water remains leaking, the problem is likely with a pipe or valve somewhere between the head and the main system control valve. Once the water is turned off, use a string tracer to pinpoint the location of the leak. If the water is escaping from the top of the sprinkler head, it may be a sign of worn seals or damaged head body. A leak at the riser or fitting is another common problem that can be fixed with a simple saw and clamp.
Once the area around a leak is identified, it is time to dig. Before you grab your shovel and turn your yard into an archaeological site, however, call your local utility company to have any buried lines marked. This will prevent you from accidentally creating a new problem while trying to solve the original one.
After digging, you can see the damaged section of pipe and prepare to make your repair. Using a hacksaw, remove the leaking section of pipe. Then, clamp the remaining sections of pipe with a band clamp—an adjustable metal band that can fit a variety of piping sizes. Finally, insert a slip coupling to replace the damaged section of pipe.
A leaking sprinkler is an expensive, but often fixable, problem. To spot problems early, walk your property while the sprinklers are running every couple weeks and look for standing water or muddy areas. A broken sprinkler head will usually cause these symptoms, but a leaking valve or backflow preventer could also be the culprit. Regular maintenance checks and annual cleanings of the valve box can also help minimize these issues.
Damaged Pipes
Pipes don’t last forever and can be damaged by corrosion or physical damage. Corrosion weakens the structure of the pipe and makes it more susceptible to breaking, while physical damage can cause holes or cracks in the pipes. Once a broken pipe occurs, water leaking from the damaged area can quickly damage flooring and furniture and cause serious mold issues in your home. If you have a burst pipe, shut off the water supply to prevent further damage and call a local restoration company to assess the situation and perform the necessary repairs.
Water leaks and burst pipes often occur in hard-to-reach locations, like behind walls. To access the pipe in these areas, turn off your home’s main water supply and carefully shut off any faucets in the area of the leak. Use non-conductive gloves to inspect the area and remove any furniture, appliances or other items that could be at risk of water damage.
Once the water is turned off, identify the location of the leak. This step is important for expediting the repair process once a professional plumber arrives, as well as for documenting any water damage in case it’s needed to file an insurance claim.
If the damage is due to poor maintenance, your homeowner’s insurance policy may deny coverage for the resulting damages. To avoid this, keep up with regular maintenance and repairs to your plumbing system. This includes replacing older parts with modern push-to-connect fittings and adding a stop-and-waste valve to your home’s plumbing system. In addition, consider adding water backup coverage to your homeowner’s policy, which will cover water that enters your home through a damaged or overflowing sewer or drain line.
Solenoid Issues
Solenoids are small but powerful electronic devices that open and close valves in a system. When they fail, the symptoms can be difficult to diagnose and fix. For example, a bad transmission solenoid may cause your car to experience erratic shifting, slipping gears or even preventing the vehicle from moving.
The first step in repairing a stuck solenoid is to make sure the power to the valve is off. Then, you can remove the coil and inspect it for debris or dirt. You should also look at the electrical connector for signs of problems (bent pins, etc). If you can’t find a reason why the solenoid isn’t opening or closing, try turning it on and off several times. If it doesn’t work, try replacing the solenoid.
Another common issue with solenoid valves is a buzzing noise that gets louder when nearby parts vibrate at the same frequency. To solve this problem, you can reduce vibration by adjusting the valve or installing a rectifier to filter out the unwanted noise.
Finally, you should also check the specification of the coil for a minimum differential pressure for indirect operated valves. If the coil specifications are not met, you may experience overheating or leaking.
If the coil of a transmission solenoid is bad, it can cause the vehicle to go into “limp mode.” This mode is designed to protect your transmission from damage and will prevent your car from shifting at all. In some cases, a bad solenoid can cause the engine to overheat, leading to costly repairs or even complete transmission failure. If this is the case, you may want to consider replacing your transmission altogether.