Sprinkler System Installation vs Repair: What Do You Need?

How do you know if you need a repair or total system replacement?

We’ve put together the top signs we look for when determining which route your sprinkler system maintenance should take.

Your yard is one of the first things that people notice when they pull up to your home for the first time. The last thing you want is for them to see a brown, dying lawn!

An irrigation system is an easy way for homeowners to keep their lawns healthy and beautiful all year long — unless something goes wrong with your sprinkler system! If your irrigation system isn’t operating correctly, it can lead to additional problems in your landscape, including flooding and underwatering. That’s why it is important to address any irrigation system problems as soon as they arise.

But how can you determine if your faulty sprinkler system needs a simple repair or a full replacement?

To help you have more visibility into the sprinkler repair and sprinkler installation process, we’ve outlined the warning signs to help you know when your irrigation system needs to be repaired or replaced.

Signs You Need to Schedule Sprinkler System Repair

It’s never fun to deal with irrigation system problems. Luckily, many issues are easy fixes that will have your sprinklers up and running again in no time. More often than not, these problems are the root cause of sprinkler system issues.

1. Sunken Heads

As a homeowner, you’ll likely experience a sunken head at some point in time. This common problem occurs when the sprinkler head sinks into the ground or gets pushed down or tilted from someone stepping on it or hitting it with the lawnmower.

When this happens, the angle at which the sprinkler disperses water is going to be wrong, which cause the sprinkler head to become blocked altogether.

2. Control Valves

The best part of a sprinkler system is that you can keep your yard hydrated without much heavy lifting. However, if you have a faulty valve, your irrigation system may be leaking constant water from the sprinkler heads.

As a result, you can experience wet patches in your landscape and decreased water pressure throughout the entire irrigation system.

3. Clogged Head

Because sprinkler heads are placed within the ground, they can easily get clogged with mud, dirt, grass, and other debris. When this happens, the blocked sprinkler head is unable to spray water.

In more severe cases, there may even be a blockage within the irrigation system’s pipes that needs to be cleared out. Sprinkler head repair is a relatively easy fix and you’ll be up and running again in no time.

If you notice any of these issues with your home’s irrigation system, it’s important to call a professional for repair right away. The longer you wait to fix the problem, the larger the problem can become! An irrigation repair technician will be able to diagnose the problem and provide a recommended solution.

Signs You Need to Install a Replacement Sprinkler System

Although sprinkler system repair is often the recommended solution, there are instances when a professional may recommend you install a new sprinkler system for optimal results. Here are the warning signs to watch out for that indicate it is time for a full sprinkler installation.

1. Utility Spike

If you don’t monitor your water bill, we recommend that you begin keeping an eye on how it trends each month! When something goes awry with your irrigation system, you’ll often notice a spike in your utility bill due to the increased pressure placed on the sprinklers.

As soon as you begin to notice an unexplained increase on your utility bill, call in the professionals to check out your system and get ahead of any problems.

2. Constant Breakdowns

Want to know what is worse than having a broken sprinkler system? Having a broken sprinkler system every few months! If you are constantly dealing with a faulty irrigation system and scheduling frequent sprinkler repair jobs, you may be better off with a full system replacement.

3. Coverage

Are certain areas of your yard getting adequate water while other areas aren’t getting any? If you’ve changed the layout of your landscape or your sprinkler system has always provided uneven coverage, you may want to consider installing a new irrigation system so you can update the layout for an even spray pattern throughout your entire yard.

4. Age

Depending on the age of your irrigation system, it may be more cost-effective to completely replace your sprinkler together. If your home’s irrigation system is more than 15 years old, you should think twice before scheduling a professional irrigation repair. A new system is less likely to break down and will be much more efficient.

Extend the Life of Your Irrigation System with Maintenance

To ensure your home’s sprinkler system is ready to provide your yard with water whenever you need it, you should schedule routine maintenance.

By investing in irrigation system maintenance, you’ll extend the life of the system, catch any issues early, replace any worn-out parts before they break, and ensure that everything is working smoothly. Properly maintaining your sprinkler system is one of the easiest ways to avoid a full irrigation system replacement!

At Commercial Lawn Irrigation, we provide Southern Illinois with professional residential sprinkler system installations, maintenance, and repair. If you’re in Southern Illinois and experiencing sprinkler system issues, contact us today to schedule your routine system maintenance.