How to Troubleshoot Sprinklers Before Calling a Vegas Landscaping Company
Sprinkler systems can be very complicated, making things that much harder to figure out when something goes wrong. Combine that with the fact that pooling water from leaks might not even be where the source of the problem is, and figuring out what’s wrong can be a headache. Thankfully, there are a few go-to places to check for problems before calling your local Vegas landscaping company to do repair work for you.
Know Your System
Before you even get started, it’s important to have a basic understanding of how your sprinkler system works. Generally, sprinkler systems are split into a set number of zones, each covered by a series of sprinkler heads. There’s usually a control box where you can set timers for each zone, as well as manually turn them on. The zone valves also have a diaphragm, which controls the flow of the water, as well as several solenoids, which send signals to open and close the diaphragm. The control box is usually in the home, oftentimes in the basement, while all the other components are outside. The first thing to do when checking your system is manually turn on each zone one by one and look to see if it’s working properly. If one isn’t working the way it should, you know where to start troubleshooting.
The Sprinkler Heads
If you have pooling water around one of your heads, or if certain zones of your yard aren’t getting properly watered, the first place to check is the sprinkler head itself. When checking your sprinkler head, the first thing to look for is any kind of physical damage to the head, or in severe cases completely broken off. Also, look for any debris. Next, turn on the zone and make sure the head is actually popping up. If it does pop up, check to see if the water sprays in a uniform cone or if it sprays wildly, or not at all.
Once you’ve identified the problem head, try clearing out any debris or caked-on dirt, so it isn’t blocked. Reset the sprinkler head, and test it again to see if that fixes the problem. If none of that works, it’s time to replace the head.
Low Water Pressure
An effective way to tell if you have low water pressure is if you notice a weak spray from your sprinkler heads, or if multiple heads are not popping up. There are a few things that can cause low water pressure. The first thing to check is your backflow device. First, make sure the valves for the water flow and at the backflow device are fully open. The backflow device is usually above ground just above where the water pipe descends into the ground. If the valves are open and you still have problems, next search for pooling water or soggy ground along where the water lines are running. If you do have a leak, you’ll have to replace the plastic piping that is damaged. Lastly, it might be an issue with the main irrigation line. If you do have issues with your lines, it might be time to call a Vegas landscaping company to repair the damaged piping.
Sprinkler Zones Won’t Turn On
The first thing to check is the voltage on your control panel. You can use a multimeter to test the voltage between the main unit and the zone terminal. If there are any voltage issues here, the entire control terminal will have to be replaced. If the voltage is fine, then check the connection of the low voltage wires that lead out to the solenoids. A loose wire could also cause the zones to not turn on properly. If it’s not an issue with the voltage, the next thing to check is the solenoids. Thankfully, replacing a solenoid is an easy fix. First make sure the solenoid is turned to the on position, as this can also affect controlling which zones turn on. To replace the solenoid, first, make sure the controller is in the off position. Then simply disconnect the wires, unscrew the solenoid head and replace it with a new one, then reconnect the wires. Lastly, it might be an issue with the sprinkler valve itself. Sometimes simply disassembling and cleaning out the diaphragm is enough to fix the problem, but in more severe cases you may need to replace the entire valve.
Multiple Zones Not Working
If multiple zones are not working, there are a few things you can try to fix the problem. First, check the voltage on the transformer of the main unit. If the voltage is below 22 volts, you may need to replace the control unit. Next, check for leaks around the zone valve. This could simply be due to some loose screws, or it could be indicative of damage to the zone valve itself. Tighten the screws around the valve unit to make sure everything is secured properly. Lastly, inspect the zone valve and try installing a new diaphragm to hopefully fix the issues.
Call a Las Vegas Landscaping Company
If all else fails, or you don’t want to deal with the hassle of troubleshooting some of the more complicated problems yourself, calling a Las Vegas landscaping company to troubleshoot for you is always an option. Companies like Wet-Tec Inc specialize in landscaping in Las Vegas and are able to quickly diagnose the problem with your system, order the parts necessary, and repair the issue quickly.
Always start off checking the basics like broken or damaged heads, partially closed valves, and closed solenoids. If you’re still having sprinkler system issues after checking the basics, be it leaks, heads not working properly, or multiple zones not turning on, it may be worthwhile to call a Las Vegas landscaper to take a look at your system and try to get to the bottom of the problem. As long as the pipes themselves aren’t involved, most parts are relatively inexpensive outside of the control unit, and most sprinkler systems are designed to make the repair process quick and easy. It’s usually a good idea to let your Las Vegas landscaping company worry about accessing the lines or replacing the parts for the more complex issues.