A leaking lawn irrigation system can result in costly repairs and replacements, water wastage, and ultimately ruin your landscape.
Are you noticing pools of water on your landscape after or between watering cycles? If so, this is a sign indicating your lawn irrigation system is leaking. A leaking lawn irrigation system can result in costly repairs and replacements, water wastage, and ultimately ruin your landscape. Continue reading to identify three common causes of a leaking lawn irrigation system.
Broken Sprinkler Heads
One of the most common causes of a leaking lawn irrigation system is broken sprinkler heads. Sprinkler heads that are cracked, broken, or damaged are typically easy to identify because water spurts out of them, or pools of water surround the area of the damaged sprinkler head. A sprinkler head can be damaged in several ways, including lawnmowers, vehicles, age, wear and tear, or even someone stepping on it accidentally. If one or more of your irrigation system’s sprinkler heads is broken, they should be replaced right away so your system can continue functioning.
Valve Leaks
Over time the valves on your sprinkler system can deteriorate and succumb to general wear and tear, leading to valve leaks. Valve leaks are easy to spot, starting as a small and steady trickle that doesn’t stop even when your system is off, allowing water to continuously flow out of a sprinkler. Leaky valves are typically a result of a blockage in the valve’s mechanism, which could indicate low-head drainage or that the valve is worn out and needs to be replaced.
Line Breaks
Irrigation systems typically consist of two water pipelines where breaks can occur: the mainlines and lateral lines. So, one of the first actions to take when fixing a broken water line is to determine if you have a break in the mainline or a lateral line. If you have a break in the mainline, you’ll generally see water pooling on your lawn and surrounding areas when the system is on and off, so it should be shut off immediately. Detecting a leak in the lateral line is a little more difficult, but you’ll typically only see pooling when your system is off. If there is a break in the lateral line, your irrigation system can still be used by simply turning off the zone where the break is until your system can be repaired. Water lines can be broken, punctured, nicked, or cracked due to environmental factors such as tree roots, general wear and tear, ground movement, or accidental actions such as digging in your yard.
Get In Touch With Aqua-Bright Irrigation And Illumination Today!
Whatever the cause of your outdoor drainage or lighting woes, the professionals at Aqua-Bright can help you come up with a solution. For a consultation and to hear what we can do for you, give us a call at (410) 489-9009 or visit us online.