If some areas of your lawn are turning brown while other areas are staying overly wet, your sprinkler system may not be doing its job correctly.
This is a common problem for homeowners throughout Tarrant County. A sprinkler system can appear to be running normally while broken sprinkler heads, clogged nozzles, damaged pipes, poor coverage, or incorrect water pressure leave parts of the lawn without enough water.
The good news is that many sprinkler problems can be identified before they become expensive repairs or cause serious damage to your lawn.
Here are seven things to check if your sprinkler system isn’t watering evenly.
1. Check for Broken or Damaged Sprinkler Heads
One of the easiest problems to spot is a damaged sprinkler head.
A lawn mower, vehicle, landscaping equipment, or even normal wear and tear can damage a sprinkler head. You may notice water shooting sideways, spraying too high, bubbling out around the head, or failing to spray at all.
Walk through your yard while the sprinkler system is running and look at each zone.
A properly operating sprinkler head should produce a consistent spray pattern without flooding the surrounding area.
If you see a geyser of water coming from one sprinkler head, turn that zone off and have the problem checked. A broken head can waste a significant amount of water while leaving nearby grass under-watered.
2. Look for Clogged Sprinkler Nozzles
Dirt, grass clippings and other debris can clog sprinkler nozzles.
A clogged nozzle may still spray water, but the spray pattern can be dramatically reduced. This can create dry areas that are easy to mistake for a lawn or soil problem.
If one sprinkler head has noticeably less coverage than the others in the same zone, the nozzle may need to be cleaned or replaced.
3. Watch for Water Running Down the Street or Driveway
Your sprinklers should be watering your landscape—not your sidewalk, driveway or street.
Overspray can be caused by an improperly positioned sprinkler head, a damaged head, excessive water pressure or a sprinkler that isn’t appropriate for the area it is covering.
The Texas Water Development Board recommends adjusting sprinkler systems to reduce overspray and runoff and checking sprinkler heads regularly for leaks, debris and proper operation.
If you consistently see water running off your property during irrigation, your system deserves a closer look.
4. Check Your Sprinkler Zones
Your sprinkler system is divided into zones so different areas of your property can receive the appropriate amount of water.
For example, a sunny turf area may have different watering needs than a shaded area, flower bed or area near a pool or patio.
If a zone isn’t operating correctly, multiple sprinkler heads may be affected at the same time.
Turn on each zone individually and walk the property. Make note of:
- Sprinkler heads that don’t pop up
- Heads with weak water pressure
- Areas receiving little or no water
- Heads spraying buildings, fences or pavement
- Water bubbling out of the ground
- Areas that remain unusually wet
These observations can help identify whether the problem is isolated to a sprinkler head or involves a larger system issue.
5. Don’t Assume More Water Is Always Better
When grass begins turning brown, many homeowners simply increase the sprinkler run time.
That isn’t always the best solution.
Healthy turf generally benefits from thorough, less-frequent watering rather than constant shallow watering. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension recommends deep, infrequent irrigation for established turf and notes that watering needs vary based on factors such as rainfall, soil and season.
If your sprinkler system has poor coverage, running it longer may simply waste water in the areas that are already receiving enough.
The goal isn’t necessarily to run the system longer. The goal is to make sure the water is being distributed where it is needed.
6. Pay Attention to When Your System Runs
Timing matters in Texas.
The Texas Water Development Board recommends watering in the early morning to reduce evaporation.
Your irrigation schedule should also be adjusted when weather conditions change. Rainfall, temperature and seasonal conditions can all affect how much supplemental irrigation your landscape needs.
An automatic system shouldn’t simply be programmed once and forgotten.
If your lawn has received significant rainfall, your irrigation schedule may need to be reduced. Conversely, extended hot and dry conditions can increase the need for supplemental watering.
7. Have the System Checked If the Problem Keeps Coming Back
If you’ve cleaned the sprinkler heads and adjusted the controller but still have dry spots, leaks or uneven coverage, the problem may be deeper in the irrigation system.
Potential causes can include:
- Broken underground pipes
- Damaged valves
- Pressure problems
- Electrical or controller issues
- Poorly positioned sprinkler heads
- Aging components
- Incorrectly designed or modified zones
These problems aren’t always visible from the surface.
That’s where a professional sprinkler system check-up can save homeowners time, water and frustration.
A Quick Tarrant County Sprinkler Check-Up
If you live in Arlington, Fort Worth or another Tarrant County community, take a few minutes to inspect your sprinkler system this week.
Turn on each zone and walk the property.
Look for:
- Broken sprinkler heads
- Clogged or weak nozzles
- Water spraying onto sidewalks or driveways
- Areas that aren’t receiving adequate coverage
- Leaking valves or standing water
- Sprinkler heads that don’t pop up
- Unusual changes in water pressure
Catching a small irrigation problem early can help prevent wasted water and larger repairs later.
Need Help With a Sprinkler Problem?
Repair Masters Sprinkler Repair provides sprinkler repair and irrigation services throughout Tarrant County, including Arlington and Fort Worth. The company works on residential, commercial and municipal systems and services all brands of sprinkler systems.
If your sprinkler system isn’t watering evenly, don’t just keep adding minutes to the watering schedule. The system may need a repair, adjustment or professional check-up.
Repair Masters Sprinkler Repair, LLC
Call (817) 473-7247 to schedule a sprinkler service appointment.
With more than 20 years of experience and licensed irrigation technicians, Repair Masters is ready to help keep Tarrant County lawns green.
Tip: Sprinkler and irrigation needs vary by landscape, soil, grass type, weather and local watering requirements. Check your local water provider for any current watering restrictions or schedules before adjusting your irrigation system.
