Your irrigation system is made up of small parts that work in harmony to give your lawn and plants the hydration they need to thrive. When one of these small parts malfunctions or breaks, your lawn can be negatively affected. If you receive a water bill that is much higher than normal, that could be a sign that your irrigation system is in need of repair.

Another sign that your irrigation system needs a repair is when some parts of your lawn are hydrated while some are not. Sputtering sprinkler heads are also a common telltale sign of a malfunctioning irrigation system. Keep reading to learn more about these signs so you can ensure your irrigation system is working efficiently.

1. Abnormally High Water Bill

A professional tech checking on an irrigation system for any repairs in Aspen Woods, AB.

It's never fun to open your mail and discover your water bill to be unusually high. While fluctuations in your water consumption for your lawn are typical depending on the season and the needs of your grass, an abnormal spike in your water bill usually means a problem. There could be a leak somewhere in your irrigation system that is leaking not only water but also your hard-earned money. We recommend calling professional irrigation technicians to inspect your irrigation system and repair any leaks.

Leaks aren't always the problem. Sometimes, the pressure regulator is at fault too. Irrigation systems work efficiently at a specific pressure range. If the pressure regulator of your irrigation system is faulty and releases high water pressure, more water is released than usual, leading to more consumption and your high water bill.

We recommend hiring professionals to regularly inspect your irrigation system so they can catch issues before they cause more extensive problems.

2. Some of your grass or plants are getting hydrated and other areas are not.

A patchy lawn due to lack of water supply in Chestermere, AB.

A common sign that your irrigation system is faulty and needs repair is when a part of your lawn seems healthy and other areas seem to be growing poorly. That's because some of your grass and plants are receiving water while others are not receiving enough hydration, or worse, no water at all. This issue typically means the zones on your irrigation system need to be altered.

When your irrigation system is installed, your lawn will be divided into different zones that will release water depending on the needs of your grass. When one of these zones malfunctions, the part of your lawn that is not receiving enough hydration will look drought-stressed and weak. Overwatering is also an issue if an irrigation zone releases more water than usual. A common fix will be to readjust the zones or replace the sprinkler heads on one of the zones to ensure adequate watering for your grass.

3. Sputtering Sprinkler Heads

An irrigation system in ground being repaired in Calgary, AB.

Sprinkler heads are where the water from your irrigation system comes out, giving your plants much-needed hydration. If your sprinkler heads begin sputtering or "coughing," it can lead to wasted water because the water does not target the areas on your lawn that it's supposed to. Because of this, your turf will not receive the proper hydration it needs.

There could be several reasons why your sprinkler heads are suddenly sputtering:

  • Chips or cracks on the sprinkler head
  • Accumulated debris have clogged the sprinkler heads
  • Malfunctioning sprinkler valve
  • Issues with water pressure

Clogged sprinkler heads can be cleaned to fix the sputtering. If there are cracks on the sprinkler heads, replacement is the best repair option. We also recommend having your irrigation technician inspect the sprinkler valve for leaks.

Need to get your irrigation system repaired? Call our expert irrigation technicians today!

At Prestige Outdoor Services, we work to ensure your irrigation system is working perfectly to deliver hydration to your lawn and plants. If you notice any of these signs, reach out to us immediately so we can check to ensure your irrigation system is operating correctly. If it's not, we can perform any necessary repairs. If you own a home or business in Calgary, Airdrie, Chestermere, AB or a nearby area, we can help you. Call us today at (403) 250-8464 to get an estimate.