Sprinkler Water Valve Is Leaking: Common Causes and Signs

Homeowners use landscaping sprinkler systems to keep their lawns and gardens thriving, even in the driest summer months. However, it’s common to discover your sprinkler water valve is leaking and not spraying properly.

Over time and with normal wear and tear, the system's valves can deteriorate and cause leaks. Luckily, sprinkler water valve leaking is easy to spot and, depending on the cause, an easy fix for most homeowners, but calling a sprinkler repair company is always best for major issues. Let’s review the common causes of this issue and its warning signs.

1. Low Head Drainage

When you run your sprinkler system and switch it off, there may be excess water still draining from the pipes. When leaks happen at this time, the issue is known as low head drainage. The drainage issue should stop shortly after you turn the sprinkler off. If it doesn’t, you may have a sprinkler valve leak.

If that’s the case, your next step is to hire a local sprinkler repair professional who can determine whether to repair or replace the sprinkler water valve. The pros will inspect your system to isolate the damaged part and ensure the rest of the system is working properly.

2. Rubber Diaphragm Seal Break

Due to normal wear and tear, the rubber seal or diaphragm in the system’s valve box can deteriorate and stop working properly. When it does, water flows through the system freely or debris begins to block the valve and prevent it from closing.

If you identify a rubber diaphragm seal break in your sprinkler system, call a sprinkler repair professional right away to minimize the amount of water damage. This type of damage to your sprinkler valve only worsens over time, so it’s essential to address it quickly to prevent more extensive (and costly) leakage.

Signs of a Sprinkler Water Valve Leak

Sprinkler parts will wear out over time, which can cause the system to leak. There are a few ways you can spot a sprinkler system leak in your yard:  

1. Wet Grass or Walkways

If you haven’t had any rain but have drainage problems in your yard, like a saturated lawn or a wet walkway or driveway, there’s likely to be a leak somewhere in your sprinkler system. If you notice this problem is consistent and independent of rain, be sure to consult a drainage or sprinkler professional right away. More signs of too much water include puddles, pools, mud, marshy patches, bubbling. 

2. High Water Bills

While water bills see normal fluctuations over the year, an overly large increase or sudden spike may signal a leak in your speaker system. You can compare your water meter reading with your bill’s usage. If your meter shows a higher reading than your bill does, this could be a sign of a leak. Before hiring a sprinkler pro, make sure to rule out leaks from any other sources in your home, like your toilet or washing machine. 

3. Low Water Pressure

If your sprinkler heads aren’t fully spraying, you may have a leak somewhere in the system. Make sure to rule out other possibilities, like a damaged pipe, solenoid valve, or a backflow preventer that only partially closes. If those components are working fine, then the culprit is likely a faulty sprinkler water valve.

4. Sprinkler Doesn’t Shut Off

If your sprinkler doesn’t turn off or continues to leak when it’s shut, it may be clogged in dirt and debris. Another possibility is a faulty valve. Don’t hesitate to hire a sprinkler repair professional to assess your system, so you can avoid sky-high water bills and potential flooding in your yard.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

A sprinkler valve leak can be a relatively easy DIY fix. You’ll need to identify the specific issue with the valve and address it accordingly, which may include replacing damaged parts or the entire valve.

You should call a lawn sprinkler professional in your area if the valve problem appears more serious than a small leak. A sprinkler professional will visit your home, inspect the sprinkler system, run tests, diagnose the issue, and provide an estimate for troubleshooting and fixing the issue. A yard sprinkler system inspection costs about $115 or may be free with the repair contract.

How Much Does Sprinkler Valve Repair Cost?

The cause of the leak could be debris clogged around the valve, which you can clear by cleaning the part thoroughly. Or you may need to replace one or two parts to get it to function properly. However, if the valve has too much damage, you may need to replace the entire thing. The price of a sprinkler valve or part ranges from $13 to $150. Hiring a sprinkler repair professional to perform the valve replacement can cost between $70 and $350, depending on the size and scope of the repair. 

How to Prevent Sprinkler Valve Leaks 

As with any plumbing system, the best defense is a good offense—preventive maintenance will keep your sprinkler system performing optimally with leaks at a minimum. Keep an eye out for any of the common signs listed above by walking through your yard once per month and make sure to hire a sprinkler professional to inspect and tune-up the system at least once a year. 

Undetected leaks in a sprinkler system can lead to high utility bills and costly repairs, so having a maintenance plan is crucial.