Why Do My Sprinklers Have Low Water Pressure?
If you’ve noticed that your sprinklers have low water pressure, you may have shrugged it off as an anomaly. Many homeowners in Georgetown, Round Rock, Austin, and the surrounding areas are surprised to learn that this is a common experience. They’re even more surprised to learn that the solutions to this frustrating problem are often simple.
Persistently low water pressure in your property’s sprinkler system leads to insufficient coverage, leaving some areas completely dry and others waterlogged. A common cause of low pressure in irrigation is a system leak, which can also lead to substantial property damage if not addressed quickly. You won’t want to wait long to sort out your sprinklers.
Read on tips and tricks from the Georgetown sprinkler repair experts at American Irrigation Repair.
Common Causes of Low Water Pressure in Sprinklers
Several reasons could explain why your property’s sprinklers are struggling with low water pressure. Here are the most common issues our sprinkler repair crew encounters in the field.
Backflow Preventer Valve or Pressure Regulator Issues
Do your sprinklers have low water pressure, yet the pressure inside your home appears normal? There could be an issue with the valves in your system’s backflow preventer device.
Backflow Valves
The backflow preventer stops water from flowing backward and out of your sprinkler into the water supply. It usually has two pipes: one horizontal and one vertical, each with a valve. These valves must be completely open to allow sufficient water flow into your sprinkler system.
The experts will check if the valves are fully open – the handles should be parallel to the pipes. This simple fix can often restore the proper water flow to your sprinkler system.
Pressure Regulator
The irrigation system’s pressure regulator controls the water pressure flowing from each of the sprinkler heads to ensure consistency. When this component malfunctions, you will see fluctuating pressure – some sprinklers spray further than others. You might also hear some unusual sounds, like the squealing or sputtering associated with varying pressure levels.
You’ll want to contact a professional to adjust the valves or check the pressure regulator to ensure the sprinkler repair goes off without a hitch.
Main Water Valve or Shut-Off Valve Not Fully Open
Has anyone had a reason to close the main water supply to your property recently? When sprinklers have low water pressure, you may have an issue with partially closed main water valves and shut-off valves. While the resulting restriction in flow may not adversely affect household fixtures, like water-dependent appliances or the shower, it usually impairs sprinkler performance.
Your sprinkler system requires a consistent water flow to operate, especially when compared to household appliances that only use water every now and then. Experts will troubleshoot a pressure problem by locating the shut-off valve that serves your sprinkler system. It must be fully open.
Leaks or Breaks in the Water Line
Are you noticing your sprinklers have low water pressure? You might want a professional to inspect your entire sprinkler system for problems beyond closed valves. One more serious scenario could be leaking water lines or burst pipes, which cause a substantial drop in water pressure downstream of the fault.
It doesn’t take heavy equipment to damage a water line, although that is certainly a common cause of sprinkler system damage. Sometimes, something seemingly insignificant, such as installing a garden stake or a trellis, can puncture or rip a sprinkler line. To detect a leak, look around your yard for:
- Unusual depressions.
- Wet areas of soil or vegetation.
- Lush growth that shouldn’t be there.
- Water bubbling up from the ground when the sprinkler system is operating.
If some sprinkler heads work properly while others do not, there could likely be a leak in the pipes between the heads. Wherever the problem lies, you’ll want to leave this repair work to experienced professionals to avoid doing more damage.
Obstruction of Water Lines
Sometimes, sprinklers have low water pressure due to an obstruction in the water line rather than an outright leak. For example, tree roots wrap around or pierce underground lines to restrict the normal water flow. Heavy objects depressing the soil over water lines, such as parking vehicles above them, also affect the pressure in the pipes and connections.
Obstructions can restrict water flow, which will significantly reduce the pressure in your sprinkler system. A professional repair service might replace the pipe, remove obstructions, or even reroute the damaged line and flush it to restore proper water flow.
Clogged Nozzles or Dirty Sprinkler Heads
Clogged or dirty sprinkler heads and nozzles are another common reason for low water pressure. If the issue only affects one or two sprinkler heads, dirt or debris may block them. Of course, this stops the free flow of water, which will certainly produce a noticeable pressure drop in your irrigation system.
A professional like American Irrigation Repair will inspect and clean each of the system’s sprinkler heads and nozzles. If you spot excess grass or weeds around the base of sprinkler heads, you’ll want to clear them – obstacles like this stop sprinkler heads from popping up.
Increased Demand on Municipal Water Supply
Sometimes, sprinklers have low water pressure due to municipal water supply issues. Are your neighbors also experiencing low water pressure?
If you notice the pressure drops during peak watering times, check the local water supply or contact your water supplier to be sure.
Choose American Irrigation Repair for Assistance With Sprinkler System Water Pressure Issues
If you’d like to avoid water damage and keep your lawn healthy, you need a correctly functioning sprinkler system. Adjusting valves or cleaning sprinkler heads isn’t as complicated as pipe leaks or obstructions, but getting professional assistance for all of it ensures a job done right the first time. American Irrigation Repairs has specialized in diagnosing and fixing sprinkler system issues since 1997, which is why so many Texans now rely on the team to handle all their irrigation projects and repairs.
Do your sprinklers have low water pressure? Call American Irrigation Repair at (512) 943-6080 for service in Georgetown, Round Rock, Austin, or anywhere around Texas Hill Country.