Here’s who can keep your sprinklers sprinklin’
Home sprinkler systems can save a lot of time on lawn care, ensuring that the grass isn't over or under-watered. But as with any complicated home maintenance gadget, sprinkler systems break down over time. Parts need to be replaced, sprinkler lines get tangled, and one day, a sprinkler head randomly creates a national park-worthy geyser on the lawn. Here’s who to call for sprinkler repair when your sprinkler system dries up or decides to impersonate the Trevi Fountain.
Sprinkler systems are handy home improvements, but they can become more complex the more zones that they have. This means more moving parts and a higher likelihood of problems. Irrigation professionals at a local sprinkler repair company focus exclusively on fixing problems with sprinkler systems and will know just what to do as soon as they diagnose the problem.
Irrigation professionals are knowledgeable in all types of sprinkler systems and can give you tips on what to do to stop problems from occurring in the first place. If your sprinklers need repairs, they’ll have all the right parts and equipment on hand to fix it. If you need sprinkler repair and hire the same company that installed your system, you have the surety that it’s handled by professionals who are already familiar with it.
Even if your sprinkler system was installed by a different company, sprinkler repair professionals can still fix it if something eventually breaks or malfunctions. They know all the different parts of the sprinkler system by the backs of their hands and can tell if any components were installed incorrectly or just broke down from normal wear and tear.
There are some tasks that are more easily DIYable than others. If you simply need a sprinkler head replaced or cleaned, it’s easy to learn how to do that on your own. Similarly, most people can at least diagnose an issue with their controller (using a voltage tester) or replace a solenoid without the help of a pro.
However, more advanced repairs that involve the primary structures of the drainage system or main water line need to be left to the pros. If you suspect major damage to the pipes or backflow preventer or an advanced electrical problem along the line, call a professional to safely handle the repair for you.
| DIYable | Call a Pro |
|---|---|
| Replacing a sprinkler head | Fixing a ruptured water line |
| Cleaning parts | Repairing a backflow preventer |
| Replacing a solenoid | Fixing damaged wires |
| Diagnosing (but not fixing) controller issues | Repairing damaged pipes |
Trying to attempt advanced repairs on your own is incredibly risky. If you’re not careful, you could cause severe injury to yourself and damage to your property. Electrocution, flooding, and foundational damage are not out of the question if you’re not sure what you’re doing.
Irrigation pros know exactly what to look for in your system and how to safely carry out all manner of sprinkler system repairs, including sprinkler leaks. Plus, they have the insurance to protect everyone if something does go awry during a repair.
A handyperson will typically cost $40 to $140 per hour, and they can help with minor sprinkler system repairs if you don’t have an extra pair of hands around to replace those busted sprinkler heads. However, a handyperson won’t be able to help with highly specific irrigation work, like installing or repairing sprinkler lines.
Depending on where you live, sprinkler repair can cost $50 to $100 per hour. So, hiring an irrigation pro has the potential to be more cost-effective than hiring a handyperson. This is on top of the benefit of an irrigation pro already having specialized knowledge of different irrigation systems. Additionally, some sprinkler system installations and repair jobs require local permits and bonding that only local irrigation professionals possess.
Sprinkler repair professionals take an extensive look at your sprinkler system’s problems, such as excessive pooling, explosive geysers, or uneven water distribution.
After diagnosing the problem, they give you a game plan that could include fixing ruptured lines, replacing valves and heads, or rearranging your sprinkler zones. Depending on the problem and the overall state of your sprinkler system, they might recommend replacing it with a new sprinkler system altogether. This can involve turning off your water temporarily, digging into your yard to access the sprinkler lines, and addressing broken or missing parts.
Whether the sprinkler repair task is too complex for a DIYer or too time-consuming to do in your spare time, irrigation professionals get your sprinklers spraying water where and how they should.
The cost to hire a sprinkler repair pro to replace a broken sprinkler valve ranges from $75 to $215, depending on the cost of the part and the local labor costs. Replacing a broken sprinkler valve is essential to maintain your sprinkler system and ensure even water distribution across your lawn. Don’t hesitate to hire a sprinkler repair pro for this type of replacement.
The seals in sprinkler pipes can corrode over time, causing the pipes to crack and leak. Corrosion can happen if the seals get exposed to contaminants. Leaks usually happen because the sprinkler heads were incorrectly installed or repaired. Sprinkler heads that are placed the wrong way or fittings placed too tightly put pressure on the seals, and eventually, the sprinkler pipes leak.
Watch for sinkholes in your yard. Also, if the water pressure in your sinks, showers, and other fixtures is notably lower, this is usually a sign that an underground water line is leaking. This affects sprinkler lines and can make the sprinklers shoot out water with very little water pressure, meaning they won’t water your lawn and garden as effectively as normal.
One of your first cues to call a local sprinkler repair company is if sprinkler heads don't pop up when your sprinkler system is powered on and running its normal schedule. It can be harder to detect leaks and their aftermath, like unusually high water bills, until the problem worsens, but these are also cues to call an irrigation professional. If your sprinkler system controller stops working, that's also a problem that you may need to call a pro for.
