Sprinkler head spraying water on a green lawn

5 Signs Your Irrigation Needs Repair

Grin's Irrigation LLCFebruary 7, 20265 min read

1. Dry Patches or Brown Spots in an Otherwise Green Lawn

If specific areas of your lawn are turning brown while the rest stays green, you likely have a coverage issue. Common causes: clogged nozzles, misaligned heads, broken heads, or pressure loss in a zone.

2. Unusually High Water Bills

If your water bill jumps without any change in household usage, your irrigation system is the first place to look. Common culprits: underground pipe leak, stuck valve, or controller malfunction. A sudden spike of $50–$100+ often traces back to an irrigation issue.

3. Water Pooling or Flooding in Your Yard

Puddles forming during or after irrigation cycles indicate broken pipes, misaligned heads, or poor drainage combined with overwatering. Pooling water can erode soil, damage your foundation, and create mosquito breeding grounds.

4. Sprinkler Heads That Don't Pop Up (or Won't Retract)

Debris in the mechanism, a broken spring, or low pressure can prevent heads from functioning properly. Heads stuck in the up position get hit by mowers — which causes even more damage.

5. Your Controller Displays Errors or Runs Erratically

Blank screens, error codes, zones skipping, or the system running at odd times can indicate power supply issues, wiring problems, or controller failure. If your controller is more than 10–12 years old, it may be time to upgrade. Most irrigation repairs are straightforward and affordable ($100–$250).