Troubleshooting Sprinkler Systems: Practical Methods for Quickly Resolving Common Problems

Troubleshooting Sprinkler Systems: Practical Methods for Quickly Resolving Common Problems

It's normal for sprinkler systems to occasionally malfunction. Most common problems can be quickly resolved by yourself without waiting for professionals. Mastering the following troubleshooting steps and methods can help you quickly restore system operation.

Step 1: Check the water and power supply – this is fundamental.

Water Supply: Confirm that the outdoor main water valve is fully open. Check if the water pressure is normal (test by turning on other nearby faucets).

Power Supply: If using a water pump, check if the pump is powered on and if the switch is on. For the controller, check if it's powered on, if the screen is lit, or if the batteries need replacing.

Controller Settings: Confirm that the controller's current time and program settings are correct. Sometimes, the program may have simply been accidentally reset or shut down.

Step 2: Locate the problem by zone, narrowing down the problem area.

If only certain areas are not discharging water, the problem is usually in that area itself.

Manual Testing: Locate the solenoid valve corresponding to that area and try manually opening it (usually there is a manual switch or knob on the valve body). If water flows manually, the pipes and sprinkler heads are working properly; the problem lies with the controller or the wiring connected to it.

If water doesn't flow manually either: Check if the valves in that area are damaged or stuck, or if the pipes in that area are broken or severed somewhere.

Step 3: Inspect and clean the sprinkler heads; this is the most common problem.

If a sprinkler head doesn't dispense water, has a low water flow, or rotates abnormally:

Turn off the water supply to that area.

Clean the sprinkler head: Unscrew or pull out the sprinkler head and check if the nozzles and the internal filter are clogged with mud, grass roots, etc. Clean them with clean water and a fine needle.

Check the sprinkler head height and angle: Confirm that the sprinkler head is not submerged in mud or lawn, or has been knocked askew. Adjust it to the correct height and angle.

Replace the damaged sprinkler head: If the sprinkler head housing is cracked or internal parts are damaged, simply replace it with a new sprinkler head of the same model.

Step 4: Address systemic problems.

No water flow in all areas: The problem is most likely with the main water valve, a severely clogged main filter, or a malfunctioning main control valve.

Very low water pressure: Check for a clogged main filter, whether the water pump is working properly, or for serious leaks in the main pipeline.

System automatically starts watering when it shouldn't: Check the controller program settings, or it may be a faulty rain sensor or incorrect wiring (temporarily disconnect the sensor for testing).

Safety Tips: Always turn off the water and power before performing any operations, especially before touching electrical wires or digging through pipes. If the problem involves complex wiring troubleshooting, repairs to deeply buried pipes, or internal pump malfunctions, it is recommended to contact a professional for repairs.