When planning a lawn irrigation system, your yard is divided into different sections called zones. By taking each zone’s area, foot traffic level, and other unique needs into consideration, you can make sure each area gets the right amount of watering. From the number of sprinkler heads you need to the plants and the spacing of each sprinkler, everything is accounted for in a lawn’s zone.

But what happens when a sprinkler zone won’t turn on? You may have noticed that while your other zones are green and flourishing, one might be drier and browner – and the grass there may be in danger of dying. If you’re worried about that sprinkler zone, keep reading to learn how to diagnose the issue as well as the common causes of zones not turning on.

Do A Quick Check-Up On The Following In Your Sprinkler Zone

If your sprinkler zone isn’t turning on, it’s time to do some sleuthing. Here’s a step-by-step guide to two things you should inspect in your sprinkler system to try to narrow down the problem:

Turn On The Valve And Make Sure There’s Water Pressure

  • First, check if there’s adequate water pressure in the zone: Look at your sprinkler system’s water meter and make sure it’s on. Then examine your sprinkler’s backflow control valve if you have one. Confirm that there’s water pressure in the zone.
  • Manually turn on the valve: Now, try to get water into your sprinkler system zone’s valve by manually turning it on. Carefully turn the valve’s top part to the left just like a faucet. This manually turns your sprinkler’s solenoid open and helps water come out. Be careful not to turn it all the way to the left, and don’t break any of your sprinkler wires! Breaking sprinkler wires may need professional repairs or replacement.
  • If manually opening it gets your zone’s sprinklers running, you can cross that off as a potential cause: Once you’ve manually turned on the valve, check if your sprinkler heads pop up and start watering the zone. If they do, the rest of your sprinkler system has water pressure and that’s not the issue.

SeeIf Your System’s Control Panel And Electronic Components Are Malfunctioning

If the water pressure isn’t the culprit, it may be down to your sprinkler system zone’s wiring or your solenoid valve. Check for the following problems:

  • See if there’s a break in your control panel’s wiring: There might be a break somewhere that’s keeping the current from flowing to your solenoid valve, which is the control unit that turns off your water or allows it to flow when it’s powered. You’ll need to trace your zone’s wires and map them to find the break.
  • Examine your system controller: A faulty controller may be the culprit behind a zone not turning on. Make sure your controller is on, replace its batteries if needed, and confirm if its watering settings are correct. 
  • Check your timer settings: It might be down to your timer’s programming for switching the zones on and off. Try resetting your timer to see if reprogramming the zones will get water flowing again in that area. If you’re using a smart timer that sends alerts to your phone, open the app and see if you get error codes.
  • Your solenoid valve may be damaged: Every sprinkler has a solenoid valve. Solenoid valves have wire coils and magnets in them, and if they’re damaged, this can keep the valve from letting water flow. Turn off your power first for safety purposes, then check for burnt-out coils or electronics, melted plastic, or ruptures. Your solenoid valve may need repairs or replacement before your sprinkler zone works again.
  • Your solenoid valve may be leaking: A leaking solenoid valve won’t seal correctly and will keep the current from running through it, which can cause your sprinkler to not turn on. Check your valve’s surfaces for corrosion and for any dirt that’s built up anywhere. Also, check if your seal is already worn or if there are any bent components. In some cases, dirt and debris are preventing the solenoid valve’s seal from working and a simple clean-up will get it working again.

As with any repairs to electronic components, take safety precautions to make sure you don’t get shocked by a current or damage any delicate parts. If you’re worried about handling your sprinkler zone’s control panel and wiring, contact a reputable lawn sprinkler repair company like SoCal Sprinklers – we have the experience and skill to get your sprinkler zone running ASAP!

If Your Sprinkler Isn’t Working, Call The Professionals

In some cases, a simple inspection and a DIY solution are all you need to get things running. But more often than not, fixing your sprinkler zone may need tools, expertise, and energy that you just don’t have right now.

Try diagnosing the problem by following the steps we listed above, and if that doesn’t make your zone work properly again, SoCal Sprinklers is ready to give you a hand.