Causes of Sprinkler System Leaks

Sprinkler systems can be timed and calibrated to water your garden at specific times and for a specific amount of time. These mini-irrigation systems need to be maintained to avoid leakage that could waste a lot of water before you even realize it is there. If your system is leaking, you may need a Las Vegas irrigation repair team to fix it before it increases your energy bill.

How Sprinkler Systems Develop Leaks

Sprinkler systems leak water for two main reasons. Low head drainage is the most common reason. This happens when the system has slopes and the water inside the pipe gradually leaks out the lowest head of your sprinkler system. Once all the water is drained, the leak will stop. The most common solution for Low Head Drainage is to install valves that check the water flow such as an HVC valve.

The other reason sprinkler systems leak cannot be fixed with a check valve. It happens because water is leaking through the zone valve. This may be caused by debris in the valve diaphragm or by a faulty diaphragm. The debris can be cleaned out and the leak should stop. If it doesn’t, it may need to be replaced.

How to Spot Leaks in Your Sprinkler System

The pipes and valves in your sprinkler system are most likely underground. You may not know where each valve is to check for leaks, so in order to look for signs that you have a leak, you need to:

• Check for lawn and plant damage from mold, mildew and fungus. This may develop when there is too much constant moisture caused by a leak.

• Check for low water pressure.

• Check for a sprinkler head that sprays dirty water.

• Check for signs of damage from animals.

Minimize Leaking

If you regularly check for signs of leaking, you can catch and fix a leak before it has a chance to cause much damage.