Fixing Sprinkler System Problems on Commercial Properties: What to Look For & How an Irrigation Company Can Help

Michael Hatcher

Aug 20, 2020 3:00:59 PM

As soon as you read the words “fixing sprinkler system problems,“ it probably puts you in a bad mood.

We don’t blame you. Who has time to worry about fixing sprinkler system problems?

Well, we do. If you have a good commercial irrigation company, this won’t be one of the worries on your seemingly endless to-do list. 

But if you’re out on your property and you notice wet areas, dry areas, water spraying where it shouldn’t, or irrigation components obviously leaking, that means something’s wrong and you need irrigation repair.

How can you tell there’s a problem? Then what?

Here’s a look. 

Irrigation Repair Heads-up: Areas of Your Property Are Too Wet

What Next: This could be as simple as a controller that’s not set quite right. 

Your irrigation system controller is the brains of your entire irrigation system.

irrigation crew adjusting irrigation system controller

If it’s set to water more often than your property needs for this time of year, too much water is ending up on your property, causing wet spots. 

Sometimes fixing irrigation can be as easy as resetting the controller with the proper run times. 

Another reason for wet spots: Leaky valves. 

Each valve in your sprinkler is like a faucet, which shuts off and turns on water flow. Sometimes they leak, and need to be replaced. 

An irrigation technician might need to replace just the “guts” of the valve, like the diaphragm or the solenoid. Or the entire valve might need to be replaced. 

Or you might have a broken pipe, causing pools of water or it leaking out on the pavement. An irrigation technician will first need to locate the leak by looking for escaping water or sprinkler heads with little to no flow.

They’ll dig up and expose the damaged pipe, remove the damaged piece of line, and replace it.

Irrigation Repair Heads-up: Areas of Your Property Are Too Dry 

What Next: Irrigation heads could be clogged or broken, keeping water from spraying properly. 

Technicians will clear heads of dirt or debris or replace them if they’re broken. 

Or maybe the handle on your backflow device was inadvertently turned off. The backflow allows water to go through your irrigation system in one direction but prevents it from going backwards in the opposite direction.

If the handle is off, it restricts any water from flowing past the backflow and to your sprinkler system valves. 

Easy fix — just turn it back on. 

Irrigation Repair Heads-up: Water is Spaying On Pavement, Buildings, or Cars 

What Next: Sometimes irrigation heads get knocked out of alignment by mowers, snow plows, or heavy foot traffic.

broken irrigation leak on commercial property

Technicians will adjust heads so they only hit lawn or beds.

Sometimes you have the wrong size nozzle for the spot. Maybe there’s a nozzle that sprays 15 feet, but it only needs to spray eight feet.

A technician will swap the old one out for the appropriate size. 

The Beauty of Monthly Irrigation Inspections 

Ideally, none of the above scenarios will happen to you, because your Memphis irrigation company will spot potential sprinkler system problems before they turn into big expensive headaches for you. 

If your contract includes monthly irrigation inspections, technicians check everything over, testing each of your zones to make sure the right amount of water is hitting all the right places, and nothing needs repair.

commercial irrigation inspection will zero in on any water waste. Irrigation technicians will also spot the little issues that can lead to bigger problems later, from cracked lines and leaky valves to clogged nozzles or broken spray heads.

Preventive maintenance can save water — and money — by spotting and repairing potential problems before they become expensive disasters.

If our tech sees something amiss during a monthly inspection, they can often take care of it right there on the spot.

Time for Irrigation Repair? Trust Hatcher

Any one problem with your irrigation system could actually be due to several different issues. 

It takes a trained professional to diagnose the exact problem and tackle the irrigation repair. 

commercial irrigation maintenance crew

Not every Memphis irrigation company has a certified irrigation contractor on board to help you.

We do.

Our irrigation service manager is certified by the National Irrigation Association. She’s met an advanced level of competency to install, repair, and maintain irrigation systems.

So, you can relax, knowing you made the right choice to put your property’s health in expert hands.

Are you ready to put your mind at ease about irrigation repairs? Talk to one of our commercial landscaping experts today! We’ll meet at your property, create a custom plan, and get you on your way to enjoying a beautiful, worry-free property.

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Michael Hatcher

Written by Michael Hatcher

Michael Hatcher is Founder and Chairman of Michael Hatcher & Associates.