Queensland Facility Services’ Top Tips for Troubleshooting Irrigation Systems

Automatic irrigation systems are a valuable asset for maintaining lawns, gardens, and landscapes. However, like any system, they can occasionally encounter issues. Effective troubleshooting can save you from high water bills, patchy lawns, and wasted water. Here are some essential tips to help you troubleshoot and keep your irrigation system running smoothly.

1. Inspect for Leaks and Damaged Components

A common issue with ground irrigation systems is leakage, which can cause inefficient watering and overuse of water. Walk through your yard and visually inspect all sprinkler heads, pipes, and valves. Look for puddles, uneven watering patterns, or saturated areas—these can indicate leaks or damage.

• Tip: If you spot water bubbling or pooling near sprinkler heads, it could mean a split pipe or loose/broken fitting.
• Fix: Shut off the system, and repair or replace damaged parts. Soft (LDPE) irrigation pipes can easily be repaired using barbed joiners and hose clips or clamps. Solid (HDPE or PVC) irrigation pipes are a little more complex – unless you are experienced with irrigation systems, we’d suggest giving us a call on (07) 4426 1991 for a free inspection and quote!

2. Check the Water Pressure

High or low water pressure can disrupt the performance of the entire irrigation system. Low water pressure might mean the sprinkler heads aren’t reaching their full radius, leading to dry spots. High pressure, on the other hand, can damage pipes and valves.

• Tip: Use a water pressure gauge to check if the system’s pressure is within the manufacturer’s recommended range (usually between 30-50 psi).
• Fix: If pressure is too high, install a pressure regulator. If it’s too low, check for obstructions or leaks that could be causing reduced flow.

3. Inspect the Sprinkler Heads

Clogged or malfunctioning sprinkler heads are a frequent source of problems. Dirt, debris, or grass can block heads, causing uneven watering. Additionally, heads that are out of alignment can lead to areas being over or under-watered.

• Tip: If you notice uneven spraying patterns or no water at all from certain heads, they may be clogged.
• QFS Expert Advice: Make sure all of your nozzles are the same size. Different sized nozzles make a significant difference to the quantity of water applied to an area – if you have different sized nozzles on the same lawn, you’ll have wetter areas, dry areas, and uneven lawn growth.
• Fix: Clean the nozzles and filters on the heads. For more stubborn clogs, use a small wire or toothpick to clear blockages. Replace damaged heads as needed.

4. Test and Adjust Your Timer Settings

Sometimes the problem lies not with the physical components but with the irrigation controller. If the system is watering too often or not enough, or running at odd times, it may be due to incorrect programming or a malfunction in the timer.

• Tip: Ensure the settings for start times, run times, and days of operation are correct for the season and plant types. 
• QFS Expert Advice: Often users will mistakenly set up multiple start times for a program, or duplicate their desired schedule across multiple programs. This causes the controller to run your program over and over again, rather than just the once you intended! Unless you’re an advanced user, just use one program (usually program ‘A’) and ensure just one start time is set. Don’t confuse additional start times for individual station (or lawn area) watering times! We often see that people have set start times as 1: 7pm, 2: 8pm, 3: 9pm and so on… this doesn’t run valve 1 at 7pm, followed by valve 2 at 8pm, valve 3 at 9pm. It will run all three valves for their designated times at 7pm, and then all three again at 8pm, and all three again at 9. Depending on your controller model it will simply queue these up, resulting in your system running all night and sometimes into the next day! Just remember, each start time runs the entire program, not just one valve.
• Fix: Reprogram the controller if necessary, and replace the backup battery if you’re experiencing power interruptions. Check the manufacturer’s manual for troubleshooting specific controller issues. Confused? Give us a call on (07) 4426 1991 to book a free system check and quote.

5. Check for Valve Malfunctions

Valves control the flow of water to different zones in your irrigation system. If a particular zone isn’t getting any water, or one zone won’t shut off, a valve issue may be the cause. This can be due to debris clogging the valve or an electrical issue.

• Tip: Listen for clicking sounds or inspect manually to see if a valve is stuck open or closed.
• QFS Expert Advice: The flexible rubber diaphragm and seals in solenoid valves require water for lubrication. If a system hasn’t been run in a long time, these can become hard, brittle, and stuck. To avoid this, ensure your irrigation system runs a minimum of once per month, even during wet season (we recommend once per week). During months where watering is not required – for example over the wet season – simply adjust the station time down to the minimum your controller will allow. For most controllers this will be one minute. This is just enough to flush water through the lines, maintaining rubber components and seals, and pushing out any dirt or pesky ants that may have found their way inside through a sprinkler head and begun to nest. You will avoid unnecessary repair costs, and keep your system in great condition ready to go when the rain stops come autumn, while avoiding the wastage of water that would occur should you run full programs during the wet season.
• Fix: If it’s a clog, disassemble the valve and clean it thoroughly. For electrical issues, check wiring connections and test the solenoids.

6. Monitor for Dry Spots

Dry or patchy spots in your lawn could indicate a problem with coverage, pressure, or positioning of sprinkler heads. This is often due to improper spacing between sprinkler heads or blockages preventing full coverage.

• Tip: Place small containers around the yard to measure how much water each area receives. This will help you assess if some parts of the yard aren’t getting enough water.
• Fix: Adjust the head positions, increase run times, or check the water pressure. Consider adding additional sprinkler heads if coverage is insufficient.

7. Look for Electrical Issues

If your irrigation system won’t turn on at all, or certain zones aren’t functioning, you may be dealing with an electrical problem. Wiring faults, blown fuses, or damaged solenoids can disrupt normal operation.

• Tip: Use a multimeter to check the voltage coming from your controller. If you suspect a short circuit, visually inspect the wiring connections.
• QFS Expert Advice: Solenoid/valve box wiring is a common source of electrical faults. Water + electrical wires = problems! Ensure all connections are made using waterproof wire connectors designed for in-ground or submerged use. These contain a non-conductive gel to protect your wiring. All systems installed by a professional contractor will contain these when new, however DIY repairs done in the past, or work done by people who were not irrigation experts can see all kinds of “interesting” connections used – twisted wire pairs, electrical tape wrapping, silicon ‘coating’ and the like will not protect your wiring from moisture ingress, and will eventually cause short circuits, and station faults or controller damage.
• Fix: Replace any damaged wiring or fuses. If solenoids are faulty, replace them to restore zone function.

8. Test Your Backflow Preventer

A backflow preventer ensures that water from your irrigation system doesn’t flow backward into your home’s water supply, contaminating it. If it’s not working correctly, it can compromise the entire irrigation system.

• Tip: Inspect the backflow preventer annually for any signs of leaks, cracks, or damage.
• Fix: If you suspect it’s malfunctioning, have it inspected and repaired by a certified professional, as backflow preventer repairs often require special skills. In Queensland, you will need a licensed irrigation installer or plumber to repair or replace a backflow device, and doing this yourself is actually illegal. If your backflow needs attention, give us a call on (07) 4426 1991.

9. Keep an Eye on Weather Conditions

Sometimes, what seems like an irrigation problem may actually be environmental. Extreme weather conditions, such as prolonged dry spells or excessive rain, can affect the effectiveness of your system.

• Tip: If your irrigation system has a rain sensor, check that it’s working properly to ensure you’re not over-watering during rainy periods.
• QFS Expert Advice: Internet connected controllers, such as Hunter Hydrawise, monitor real-life rainfall and daily temperatures in your suburb and adjust your irrigation so that your lawn and gardens always receive the perfect amount of water. Queensland Facility Services specialise in installing and optimising such systems – get in touch to arrange a free quote!
• Fix: Install a rain or moisture sensor if your system doesn’t already have one to adjust watering based on weather conditions.

10. Maintain Your System Regularly

Routine maintenance is key to preventing major issues from developing in your irrigation system. By scheduling regular inspections and cleaning, you can identify and address potential problems before they worsen.

• Tip: Perform a seasonal checkup, especially at the beginning of winter/start of dry season when you begin regular watering again. Clean heads, flush the system, and ensure all components are in working order.
• Fix: Call QFS to book an irrigation system test and program optimisation for just $79. Perfect for when you’ve had your system turned off over summer, or have moved into a new home and don’t know what the situation is with the system in place. We’ll test every element in your system, adjust any sprinklers that aren’t spraying the correct patterns, and program your controller for the optimum watering schedule and station durations. Should any issues be identified that require repairs, we can fix these on the day if you are present (or reachable by phone) or provide a quote for you to consider.

Conclusion

A well-maintained ground irrigation system can save time, water, and money while keeping your lawn and landscaping looking its best. By regularly inspecting, cleaning, and testing your system, you can catch problems early and ensure efficient watering year-round. With these troubleshooting tips, you’ll be equipped to handle common issues and keep your irrigation system functioning properly for years to come.

Need Help? If you’re facing recurring issues or problems that are proving too complex to fix yourself, it might be time to consult a professional irrigation technician – for fast, expert service, call us on (07) 4426 1991 or send an email to info@qfs.group. With over 15 years experience installing and maintaining irrigation systems in Townsville, and a full warranty on all irrigation installation or repair work we carry out, Queensland Facility Services are the ideal choice to ensure hassle-free, year-round irrigation at your home or business.