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Common Sprinkler Problems in Crowley, TX

A healthy, green lawn is a point of pride for any Crowley homeowner, but keeping it that way requires a reliable sprinkler system. Given our hot Texas summers and shifting clay soils, your irrigation system works hard. When it breaks down, it can quickly lead to brown patches, wasted water, and sky-high utility bills. That’s where Mr. Sprinkler Repair in Crowley comes in.

Understanding the most common sprinkler system issues can help you spot trouble early. At Mr. Sprinkler Repair, we’ve seen it all. This guide walks you through the four biggest problems we encounter and explains how we provide expert sprinkler repair in Crowley to get your system running perfectly again.

1. Root Intrusion: When Trees Get Thirsty

The same beautiful trees and shrubs that provide shade and curb appeal can become a major threat to your underground sprinkler lines. Tree roots are naturally drawn to the moisture and nutrients inside your irrigation pipes, and they can be surprisingly aggressive.

What Causes It:
Roots from nearby trees and large shrubs will seek out any water source. They can force their way into tiny cracks or loose joints in your pipes. Once inside, they expand, creating a dense mat that blocks water flow and can eventually split the pipe wide open.

Symptoms to Watch For:

  • Wet Spots or Puddles: You might notice persistently soggy areas in your yard between sprinkler heads.
  • Loss of Water Pressure: One zone may have heads that barely pop up or produce a weak spray.
  • Uneven Watering: One part of a zone looks dry while another part seems fine.


How We Fix It:
Fixing root intrusion requires a professional touch. First, we use specialized equipment to pinpoint the exact location of the blockage, minimizing any disruption to your lawn. We then clear the roots from the pipe. Depending on the damage, we will either repair the affected section or, for a more permanent solution, reroute the line away from the aggressive root system. We can also discuss installing root barriers to prevent future problems.

2. Stuck Solenoids: The System’s Stubborn Gatekeeper

Think of a solenoid as the automated gatekeeper for each zone in your sprinkler system. This small but vital component is a coil of wire wrapped around a plunger. When your controller sends an electrical signal, it creates a magnetic field that lifts the plunger, opening the valve and letting water flow. When the signal stops, the plunger drops and shuts off the water.

What Happens When It Fails:
A solenoid can fail in two ways: it can get stuck open or stuck closed.

  • Zone Won’t Turn On: If a zone doesn’t start when scheduled, the solenoid might be stuck closed or has failed electrically, preventing the valve from opening. You may hear a humming or buzzing sound from the valve box.
  • Zone Won’t Turn Off: If you have one zone that runs continuously, even after the cycle is supposed to end, the solenoid is likely stuck open. This is a serious issue that wastes immense amounts of water.


What You Can Do vs. When to Call Us:
You can sometimes resolve a minor issue by gently turning the bleed screw on the valve to see if it clears any debris. However, if the problem persists, it’s time for a professional. A humming sound often indicates an electrical issue that requires safe, expert diagnosis. We can quickly test the solenoid and valve. Often, a simple solenoid replacement is all that’s needed to solve the problem, a fast and affordable irrigation repair.

3. Cracked Pipes: The Hidden Water Wasters

Cracked pipes are one of the most common and damaging sprinkler system problems, especially with Crowley’s shifting clay soil and occasional winter freezes. A small crack can quickly turn into a major leak, undermining your lawn and wasting thousands of gallons of water.

Common Causes:

  • Freeze Damage: Water left in pipes during a hard freeze expands, easily cracking PVC pipes.
  • Root Intrusion: As mentioned earlier, aggressive roots can break pipes.
  • Soil Shifting: Our expansive clay soils swell when wet and shrink when dry. This constant movement puts immense pressure on underground pipes, leading to stress fractures over time.
  • Accidental Damage: A shovel strike during a landscaping project or heavy equipment driving over the lawn can cause a break.


How to Spot a Cracked Pipe:

  • Soggy Patches or Sinkholes: The most obvious sign is an area of your lawn that is always wet, spongy, or even sinking.
  • Spikes in Your Water Bill: An unexplained increase in your water usage is a huge red flag that you have an underground leak.
  • Geysers or Bubbling Water: When the system is running, you might see water bubbling up from the ground between sprinkler heads.


Our Repair Methods:
Finding and fixing a cracked pipe doesn’t have to destroy your yard. While some situations require minor excavation, we specialize in precise, low-impact repairs. For many leaks, we can perform a trenchless repair, accessing the pipe with minimal digging. We’ll locate the break, replace the damaged section, and have your system back up and running with little evidence we were ever there.

4. Electrical Failures: The Invisible Glitches

Your sprinkler system is a network of electrical components, and a single fault can shut everything down. Issues can stem from the main controller, the field wiring, or the connections at the valve solenoids.

Common Electrical Faults:

  • Faulty Controller: The “brain” of your system can fail due to age, power surges, or internal shorts.
  • Broken Field Wiring: Underground wires can be cut by shovels, damaged by pests, or corrode over time.
  • Bad Wire Connections: Waterproof connectors at the valve box can fail, allowing moisture to corrode the wires and break the connection.


Safe Diagnostics and Professional Fixes:
Diagnosing electrical problems requires specialized tools and knowledge. Trying to fix wiring without the right experience can be dangerous and may cause more damage to your system. Our technicians use multimeters and other diagnostic tools to safely trace the electrical path, identify the exact point of failure, and perform the necessary repairs. Whether it’s reprogramming a controller, splicing a broken wire, or replacing corroded connectors, we handle all aspects of electrical sprinkler repair in Crowley.

DIY or Call a Pro? A Quick Checklist

Not sure if your sprinkler issue is a quick fix or a job for an expert? Use this checklist to decide.

  • DIY: Adjusting a crooked sprinkler head.
  • DIY: Cleaning a clogged nozzle with a paperclip.
  • Call a Pro: One or more zones won’t turn on or off.
  • Call a Pro: You have soggy spots or pooling water in the yard.
  • Call a Pro: Your water bill has suddenly increased for no reason.
  • Call a Pro: The controller screen is blank or showing an error code.
  • Call a Pro: You hear buzzing or humming from a valve box.

Seasonal Prevention Tips for Crowley Lawns

  • Winterize Properly: Before the first hard freeze, ensure your system is properly shut down and drained to prevent cracked pipes.
  • Smart Scheduling: During summer droughts, water early in the morning (4-7 a.m.) to reduce evaporation. Adhere to any local watering restrictions.
  • Install Root Barriers: If you are planting new trees near sprinkler lines, consider installing a root barrier to guide roots downward and away from your pipes.
  • Add Mulch: A layer of mulch around trees and shrubs helps retain soil moisture, making roots less likely to seek out your sprinkler pipes.
  • Regular Inspections: Run each zone manually once a month to check for leaks, broken heads, and pressure issues.

Get Your Sprinkler System Fixed Right

Don’t let a faulty sprinkler system ruin your lawn or your budget. For fast, reliable sprinkler system repair, the experts at Mr. Sprinkler Repair are here to help. We offer same-day and next-day appointments to quickly diagnose and solve any irrigation issue.

Call us today at 817-778-4911 to schedule your service in Crowley and the surrounding areas!