Your sprinkler system may be reliable in giving your grass plenty of water. When it’s shut off, the last thing it should ever do is leak. This guide will pinpoint the reasons why your sprinkler system is leaking.

This is an issue where you may end up wasting water and not know about it. It can also become costly if you are paying the bill every month. This guide should not only help you save water, but also money in the process.

If you want to ensure that your sprinkler system is not leaking, keep reading. With that said, let’s get started.

Sprinkler Head May Be Leaking

Among the many issues with a leaking sprinkler system, this may be the most common. The good news is, you can notice this fast. One of the reasons why this happens can be a crack or the head itself might be broken.

When this happens, you’ll see puddles of water forming or spurts of water. These sprinkler heads can be inadvertently damaged by vehicles driving over the grass or mower edges making contact. Another issue could be the usual wear and tear that comes with age.

Either way, it may be possible to replace it should the need arise. There really is no quick repair solution we can think of at this time.

Line Break

Another issue can be a line break. This may be due to constant pressure or the lateral line may have a break itself. Your sprinkler operates on pressurized water. A line break can happen due to several factors.

For one, it can be cracked or even nicked. It can be as simple as planting something and you accidentally damaged it with a gardening tool. You’ll want to determine if there is a line break, which may be done by seeing if you notice any water pooling in the area.

If it’s creating pools while the water system is shut off, that’s when you have a problem. No water should be leaking while the water system is off, period.

Leaking Valve

A valve leak can break down due to age. This may be one of those times when a leak can occur if the lines are in good condition. Keep in mind that in Texas, you may want the water pressure to run at about 100 PSI (even though most sprinkler systems operate at 50 PSI tops).

Final Thoughts

Your sprinkler system may be leaking and it could be due to one of these three issues. You’ll be more than pleased with it working and going through the motions in keeping your yard green and clean. Streamline Designs will fix your sprinkler system if you happen to have any issues.

If you need a new system installed, we’ll get the job done with our team of experts planning and placing it where it needs to be. If you want a greener and cleaner yard, call us today at 817-873-1999 and we’ll get the job done for you.

As winter arrives and freezing temperatures follow, preparing for those frigid winter days becomes increasingly important. There are plenty of tips for preventing pipe freeze inside of your home, but what about your outdoor sprinkler system? Do you even need to winterize it?

Truthfully, the answer to that question depends on where you live. If you live in an area with a cold climate that regularly sees temperatures below freezing, or you see harsh weather often, winterizing your sprinkler system is essential. Failing to do so will lead to the need for a new system when the season ends.

In this article, we’re going to cover when you need to worry about winterizing your sprinkler system and how to do so.

When to Winterize Your Sprinklers

The general rule for winterizing your sprinkler system is at least one week before the first freeze of the winter. Doing this will avoid potential damage to your system from freezing water. When winter is approaching, it’s important to pay close attention to the forecast and winterize your sprinkler system as soon as you see temperatures of 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.

32 degrees Fahrenheit is also known as the freezing point for water. When you see this temperature in the forecast, you know to drain the sprinklers completely to keep the water from freezing.

How to Effectively Winterize Your Sprinkler System

Winterizing a sprinkler system sounds like a lengthy, time-consuming process. However, it really just refers to the draining of your irrigation system before the first freeze of the year. This is a vital process in sprinkler system upkeep as failing to do so will cause your system to sustain damage that will sit until everything thaws in the spring.

When water isn’t drained entirely from your sprinkler system, it expands when it freezes. If there’s enough water still in your pipes, it has the potential to explode. So, if you want to save your money, taking the time to winterize your sprinkler system is a must.

To properly winterize your sprinkler system, follow these steps:

  1. Shut the water off. This means shutting off the main water supply to the system and any pipes leading to your backflow device if you have one.
  2. Make sure the timer is off. Most sprinkler systems run on a timer, so it’s important to make sure that’s switched off so water won’t flow to each release valve anymore.
  3. Drain the sprinkler’s water supply. Although you no longer have new water flowing through the system, you still need to get rid of any standing water in the pipes. This can be done via manual, automatic, or blow-out draining.
  4. Insulate anything aboveground. Cover any valves, pipes, and backflow preventers with insulating material like foam covers or insulation tape. Take care not to cover any air vents or drain outlets on your backflow preventer.

Draining Methods

There are three different ways to drain your sprinkler system. Some sprinkler systems have a manual draining option where you empty the system at each valve, one at a time. Other systems have an automatic option where they drain once you shut off the main valve.

Blow-out draining is an option with some systems that let you connect an air compressor to the system to blow out any residual water.

Lawn care is a lot of work. You have to worry about weeding, keeping the grass cut, and taking care of any decorative or ornamental plants. There are various layers of difficulty, but when you put them all together, it still takes time and effort. One of the biggest parts of taking care of your lawn is watering. To keep suitable grass on your property, you have to dedicate time to watering and feeding it, in addition to pest control.

One way to make this easier is by investing in a sprinkler system. Sprinkle systems take all of the labor out of watering your lawn. Many can be timed, and will only provide water to your grass when it needs it. However, a sprinkler system isn’t for everyone. Check out some reasons that you may want a sprinkler system, and why you may not.

Reasons to Install a Sprinkler System

A sprinkler system takes planning and work to install. However, once it’s been put into place, the benefits are huge. Take a look at them below!

  • Lawn maintenance becomes easy, with almost no manual labor having to do with watering.
  • Sprinkler systems make sure that your grass is given the right amount of water. Often, homeowners deprive their grass of the full amount of water it needs to thrive.
  • In terms of longevity, a properly installed sprinkler system will outlast a hose with ease. Hoses are subject to dry rot, as are the attachments you buy for them,
  • Overall, sprinkler systems are more water-efficient. This means that you’ll be able to conserve water, as well as reduce the amount of money you’re paying for your water bill each month.

Reasons to Avoid Installing a Sprinkler System

While the benefits a sprinkler system provides are great, they aren’t for everyone. There are a few reasons to avoid installing a sprinkler system for your home.

  • The initial cost of a sprinkler system may be too great for your household. When irrigation is done right, it can be expensive. It can also be higher in cost depending on the conditions of your lawn. If it requires more labor, it will require more money.
  • Your lawn may be too small for a sprinkler system to be effective. If that’s the case, avoid installing a system. It won’t save you time or money in the long run.
  • Additionally, your lawn may not be grassy! Xenoscaping, or creating landscapes with low-water needs, is popular in some areas. These lawns may need occasional watering, but it’s unlikely that you’ll need a sprinkler system to do so.

Should You Get a Sprinkler System?

If you find that you’re having a hard time keeping your lawn healthy, or just don’t have the time to manually water, you may want a sprinkler system. Installing a sprinkler system will help keep your grass healthy, and it will put time back into your day! It may be a high initial cost, but it’ll likely save you money in the long run.