Troubleshooting

Major Problems

Problem: Water won’t turn on

Cause: Something is turned off. It could be the water meter, main gate valve to irrigation system, or an individual valve’s flow control stem.
Solution: Make sure system is on. Check each of the causes.

Cause: Controller program or current day/time is incorrect.
Solution: Check controller settings.

Cause: Wiring between the valve and controller is not connected or making contact.
Solution: Check the wire connections at the valves and at the controller. Use waterproof wire connections.

Cause: Solenoid may be defective.
Solution: If the valve can be turned on manually but not electrically, replace the solenoid. 

Cause: There is debris in the valve.
Solution: Use the external bleed screw to flush the valve.  If debris is significant, the valve may need to be disassembled and cleaned.

Cause: When some valve diaphragms tear, they do not allow watering.
Solution: Open the valve and replace the diaphragm.

Problem: Water won’t shut off

Cause: The controller may be programmed incorrectly.
Solution: Check the controller schedule.

Cause: There is a damaged or cracked valve bonnet (valve top) and/or body.
Solution: Look for cracks in the valve and replace as needed.

Cause: When some valve diaphragms tear, water will not shut off.
Solution: Open the valve and replace the diaphragm.

PROBLEM: Puddling in the yard

Cause: Could be a broken pipe.
Solution: Remove dirt and plant material to expose broken pipe, then repair.

Valves

Problem: Valve makes a buzzing sound

Cause: Faulty solenoid
Solution: Replace solenoid.

problem: Valve makes thumping sound

Cause: Pressure is too high
Solution: Install a pressure regulator

Cause: Atmospheric backflow preventer is likely cracked
Solution: Replace the atmospheric backflow preventer

Problem: Misting sprinklers/hear hissing sound

Cause: Pressure is too high.
Solution: The flow control stem on the valve enables you to restrict flow by 10% which could bring the pressure down a little or you may need to install a pressure reducer at the house or a pressure regulator in the sprinklers (review sprinkler section).

Sprinklers

problem: Sprinkler not popping up all the way

Cause: Missing nozzle
Solution: Replace nozzles.

Cause: Dirt is jamming the riser.
Solution: Remove cap and guts and flush out.

Cause: There is not enough water pressure.
Solution: Change to smaller flow nozzles/check the sprinkler nozzle for debris. May need to consider adding another valve.

Cause: Valve or system has a flow restriction.
Solution: Ensure the valve and the system is fully open.

problem: Sprinkler is stuck up and does not retract after watering

Cause: There is a damaged riser or riser seal.
Solution: Replace sprinkler inner components.

Cause: There is a damaged retraction spring.
Solution: Replace sprinkler inner components, especially the retraction spring.

Cause: Dirt is jamming the riser.
Solution: Remove cap and guts and flush out.

problem: Watering pattern not matching the landscape

Cause: Sprinkler is tilted, sunken.
Solution: Fix or replace

Cause: There is a shorter than desired throw.
Solution: Check the filter and clean. Replace the nozzles with the correct nozzle distance.

Cause: Does not water in the desired pattern.
Solution:
Spray: Replace the nozzles with high efficiency variable arc nozzles.
Rotor: Adjust the pattern.

Problem: Watering pattern creates a green donut in turf

Cause: Pressure is too low.
Solution: Either reduce the flow rate out of every sprinkler in the zone by replacing the nozzles with those with a lower flow rate, or install a new zone to split the existing zone.

problem: Excess water from the lowest sprinkler head

Cause: There is low head drainage especially on sloped areas.
Solution: Replace sprinkler inner components with “check valves” in the stem of each sprinkler within the zone.

problem: Excess misting/hear hissing

Cause: Pressure is too high.
Solution: Replace sprinkler inner components with pressure regulation in the stem.

Problem: Uneven coverage

Cause: Plugged or broken sprinklers, improper sprinkler layout.
Solution: Verify with the catch can test. Fix or replace broken or plugged sprinklers. If the sprinkler layout was installed incorrectly, it will need to be changed. There are numerous videos online demonstrating a "catch can test."

Cause: Spray sprinklers and rotors/multi-stream rotating nozzles on the same zone.
Solution: Replace so that all nozzles are the same type and from the same manufacturer.

Drip Irrigation

problem: Plants look unhealthy

Cause: Not enough water getting to the plants due to plants having grown since the drip was installed.
Solution: Watch the system run then add additional emitters.

problem: Entire section of plants look unhealthy

Cause: Water is not getting to a section of the yard.
Solution: Check for and repair leaks and breaks.

problem: Plants look unhealthy in the entire zone

Cause: Check to see that the valve is open and able to operate.
Solution: Ensure that the entire system is operational.

Cause: Check to see that the filter is clean.
Solution: Clean the filter.

Cause: Look at the amount of run time on the controller.
Solution: Manually run the zone for the amount of minutes scheduled on the controller. Watch to see the wetted patterns around the plants. If the plants are not getting enough water, increase the run time by five or ten minutes and observe. Your goal should be to wet enough area so roots will have room to grow.

problem: Leaks at fittings

Cause: Pressure may be too high, fittings may not be the correct type (barbed vs. compression).
Solution: Install pressure regulator if necessary; replace fittings with correct ones.

problem: Leaks at holes or cuts

Cause: Animals or gardening tools have punctured the tubing.
Solution: Cut out damaged portion and replace with correct connectors.

problem: Emitter blown off

Cause: Pressure is too high.
Solution: Be sure a pressure regulator is installed.

problem: No water coming out of emitter

Cause: Plugged
Solution: Replace emitter. If using dripline tubing, a new emitter can be punched in near to plugged one.

Controller

(a.k.a. clock or timer)

problem: Controller not operating at the desired time

Cause: The date and time are incorrect.
Solution: Follow the manufacturer’s directions to set the correct time and day.

problem: Zones do not turn on

Cause: The controller programs are set incorrectly.
Solution: Verify the controller programming.

Cause: The controller and/or valve wire and connections may be damaged.
Solution: Inspect the connections and use waterproof wire connectors.

Cause: Either the valve or the system is shut off.
Solution: Inspect and correct.

problem: Zones do not shut off after watering

Cause: Controller is not programmed correctly.
Solution: Verify the controller programing.

problem: The system is watering when it is raining and/or waters a few days after it rains

Cause: System needs a rain shut off device which interrupts watering when it is raining and for several days after the rain.
Solution: Purchase or replace a rain shut off device.

problem: The system is watering when it doesn’t need to be watering

Cause: The controller is not weather-based so it is watering according to how it is programmed into the controller.
Solution: Purchase a smart, weather-based controller.