Sprinkler System Troubleshooting

The garden sprinklers are generally connected to garden hoses and have a good number of holes or tubes to sprinkle water in all directions. These sprinklers can also be used for lawns and are important equipments that help in lawn care. Here, in this article we will try to get into the sprinkler system troubleshooting process, keeping these common sprinklers in mind. However, before starting off with troubleshooting a sprinkler system, let us try to understand what are the basic components in a sprinkler system. A look into the basic components, will help us in identifying the problem more precisely and hence help us learn how to repair a sprinler system.

Sprinkler System
Besides the sprinkler, in the sprinkler system, there are three more important components. There is a motor for rotating the sprinkler, a timer circuit to control the timings for switching on and switching off and of course, a valve. Now, the problems associated with sprinkler systems have their roots in one of these components of the sprinkler system. Let us try to understand the various problems that can arise, their possible causes and the troubleshooting procedures.

Problem #1: The Sprinkler System Starts Watering at Indefinite and Unwanted Times

Solution:
The problem lies with the timer of the system. Multiple start times have probably been set. Check the program for the system and just leave one of the start times turned on. This is the simpler way for troubleshooting this problem. However, if you do not have proper expertise, it is better that you contact a person who understands the programming code, to check the program code.

Problem #2: The Lawn is Not Watered at All

Solution:
There can be several reasons for this problem. First of all, check out for the most common causes and try to troubleshoot them. Check if the sprinkler has been plugged into the power supply. If this is not the problem, then check whether the timer is switched on or not. For taking these two steps, you do not need any technical expertise. But if the problem is not because of these reasons, then you are in a fix. There is probably some problem with one of the electronic components of your sprinkler system. Check if the fuse has blown. In case of a blown fuse, all you have to do is replace the fuse. If you are facing this problem of fuses getting blown regularly, then you need to replace the valve solenoid. The other components, which can cause this problem are faulty sensor devices or transformers. In either of the cases, you need to replace these components. If there is a problem with the wiring that reaches the timer or valve, then you need to replace the wire.

Problem #3: Water from the Sprinkler Flooding the Lawn

Solution:
If water from the sprinkler is flooding the lawn or garden, then there are two possible reasons. Either the nozzle is not working or it is missing, or the sprinkler head is faulty. In either case, the only possible solution is the replacement of the faulty equipment. You have to check which of these two components is causing the problem and replace the same.

Problem # 4: The Sprinkler Cannot Evenly Water The Entire Lawn

Solution:
You are dealing with one of the rotor problems of the sprinkler, You must have noticed that in most of these cases the sprinkler cannot rotate a full 360°. In such cases, you will notice that there is some problem with the sprinkler head or the nozzle is not working properly. Another reason may be, that the water pressure is not sufficient to rotate the sprinkler. In such cases, you have to either replace the sprinkler and nozzle, or simply split the entire zone into two parts. This will solve your problem. Before you go for the replacement of the sprinkler head, just check if there are any debris stuck on it. If that's the case, you will not have to replace the sprinkler, but simply clean the sprinkler head with a brush.

These were some of the common sprinkler system troubleshooting procedures. There are a lot of other problems that may arise, which may have their roots in the programming code of the timer. Troubleshooting a sprinkler system problems in such cases, may be very difficult and may need proper technical expertise. These types of sprinkler system troubleshooting should not be listed in the DIY tasks.