Creating A Lush and Welcoming Landscape

Identifying problems with a sprinkler system can help you head off potentially bigger issues. If you're trying to decide whether to have a sprinkler services technician check out a system, you can assess the situation by looking for these 5 signs of trouble.

Patchy Grass

Barring extreme weather conditions, a sprinkler system should always distribute the right amount of water to keep a yard's grass looking good. If you see barren or yellow patches, that's a potential sign of trouble with the sprinklers. The same applies if you're finding overly green zones. The issue could be as simple as a miscalibration, but it might also be a sign some components are failing.

Low Water Pressure

If the amount of water coming out of the sprinklers seems low, that's problematic. Even if the grass seems to be thriving, you should ask a professional to check the system. You might just have been lucky enough that the current weather allows the grass to grow well. Down the road, without a fix, the grass may struggle. It is better to confront that situation now than when your lawn needs the water the most.

Firing at the Wrong Times or Failing to Activate

People often focus on water distribution issues with sprinklers. However, timing can be just as troublesome. If the system is failing to activate, it may be due to a control malfunction.

Similarly, misfires in terms of your expected schedule are bad, too. Even if the lawn is doing fine, the sprinklers going off at the wrong time of day could cost you money. If they're firing in the middle of the heat of the day, for example, you might have to use more water to achieve the same results.

Sputtering

If the noise of the sprinklers seems to have a noticeable sputter, it could be a problem. This can happen if there is air in the lines. Likewise, failing components may sputter as they die. Even changes in the water pressure could cause sputters.

Higher Water Bills

First, you should verify that your water rates haven't gone up. Once you've ruled that out, you may also want to look for problems inside your home or business. After that possibility is eliminated, it may be time to look at the sprinklers. Lines could be leaking, or the system may not be running efficiently. A technician can verify whether the sprinklers are at fault. If so, they can fix or adjust the system. 

For more information, contact a local company like Millenium Irrigation-Jax.