One of the easiest sprinkler system problems for any homeowner to notice is a sprinkler head that isn’t watering the lawn. Even if you don’t happen to be there for scheduled watering times, dry patches are a telltale sign that an area isn’t being watered enough, and this may be due to a malfunctioning sprinkler head.
If your sprinkler heads are popping up as they should but aren’t spraying, fret not. Read on to learn about the common reasons why a sprinkler head pops up but no water is coming out, and how you can fix the problem to keep your lawn well-watered again.
Reasons Why Your Sprinkler Head Pops Up But No Water Comes Out
There are several reasons why a sprinkler head pops up but doesn’t water your lawn. Here, we break down the most common causes and how you can fix them:
Clogged Sprinkler Head
One of the most common reasons why water doesn’t come out of a sprinkler head is because of clogging. Pop-up sprinkler heads typically have underground sleeves that hold the sprinklers until they pop up and water the lawn at a programmed time. After repeated use, dirt may accumulate and start clogging the holes of your sprinkler nozzle, keeping water from coming out.
Likewise, your pop-up sprinkler head also has screens meant to block debris and dirt from the nozzle, which may be blocked and preventing water from freely flowing. In both cases, removing and cleaning the nozzle of your sprinkler head will get it back in working order.
If there are only a few clogged holes, using a wire or a paper clip to clear blocked holes may be enough to get the water spraying again. If the sprinkler head is completely clogged, you’ll need to remove it, take it apart, and clean it with a thorough soaking and flushing with water.
Broken Sprinkler
Sometimes, your sprinkler already has mechanical damage and is broken in one or several areas. This is not as uncommon as you think, as a moving vehicle or lawnmower can easily break a lawn sprinkler. In this case, you may need to replace the entire sprinkler head, whether it’s a spray-type or rotor gear-driven.
A tip for avoiding this situation in the future is to choose more durable sprinkler heads. While plastic is an affordable and popular material for sprinkler systems, metal is often the hardier choice. Consider switching the sprinkler heads to metal ones if they’re on parts of your lawn that are more likely to be damaged, e.g. near your driveway.
Adjustment Screw May Be Fully Turned Off
Your sprinkler has adjustment screws that may be turned clockwise or counterclockwise to increase or decrease its spray radius. However, turning it fully clockwise may turn the sprinkler off completely. If your sprinkler isn’t damaged or clogged, check its screw to see if it’s fully turned off.
If it is, the simple fix is to take a flat-head screwdriver and turn the screw counterclockwise. This should allow water to start spraying from your sprinkler head again.
Internal Nozzle Filter Might Be Clogged
Debris may be caught in your sprinkler head’s internal filter, preventing water from spraying out. Check your sprinkler manufacturer’s instructions to see how you can pull up or loosen the cap to allow water to flush the nozzle screen. The water pressure should push any mud and debris out and get it to function properly again.
Other Common Sprinkler System Problems
Many sprinkler heads from trusted manufacturers are highly durable and fairly easy to maintain. But if they’re heavily used or improperly installed, you may have noticed them malfunctioning. Here are other common sprinkler system issues that can keep your lawn from being watered properly:
- Misting: If your system’s water pressure is too high or constantly changing, your spray heads may mist. This results in inconsistent watering for your lawn’s areas, preventing all patches from getting consistent coverage and potentially damaging the rest of your system.
- Sprinkler leaks: Wear and tear will gradually damage the seals on sprinkler heads, resulting in leaks. Leaks also occur when sprinkler heads are improperly installed, destroyed, or damaged by lawnmowers.
- Rotor sprinkler isn’t rotating: If your sprinkler is a rotor-type and isn’t rotating, it may be broken or there may be too little water pressure.
- Gaps in spray pattern: Some holes may be blocked in your sprinkler nozzle, causing gaps in the spray pattern. This may be due to a dirty nozzle or head, or a faulty sprinkler that needs replacing.
Need Professional Help?
Some sprinkler head issues can be solved by a homeowner with a few simple tools, especially if you’re already very familiar with your lawn irrigation system. However, others may need the help of a professional team familiar with repairing and installing lawn sprinkler systems.
If you’re worried about those dry patches and malfunctioning sprinklers, talk to our team at SoCal Sprinklers. We’ll help you fix the problem so you can enjoy a gorgeous, vibrant lawn again.