Having an irrigation system in Central Florida makes watering your garden and landscape a breeze. However, the fact that much of the plumbing is underground means that problems can exist just below the surface where a trickle can quickly become a drain on your bank account.
Even though breaches in the irrigation lines may not visible, there are signs to watch for that indicate that an irrigation expert needs to investigate to determine if a hidden leak exists.
Visible Cues for Uncovering Invisible Irrigation Leaks:
Keep an eye on the parts you can see. Make it a habit to check each sprinkler head for cracks or broken pieces. The best time to do this is after mowing the lawn because this is when most exposed irrigation parts suffer damage. Cars and animals can also pose a threat to sprinkler heads. Should you see that one or more heads are broken, get them repaired promptly.
Part of your yard has become swamp creature habitat. If you see puddles forming or find yourself stepping in squishy sections of grass, this is a strong indication that you have an underground irrigation leak. This is especially true if a rainstorm hasn’t happened recently, but the problem area stays consistently wet even though it has had ample time to dry.
Your healthy green grass is now a sickly looking brown. When an underground leak is causing a portion of your lawn to stay wet, this will result in the grass developing root rot and fungal issues, which will kill the grass. Should you notice one or two browning patches that won’t dry out, it’s best to call an irrigation expert to check for hidden leaks.
The irrigation system’s water pressure is irregular. When your irrigation system is running, observe the different streams of water. If some appear stronger and traveling farther than others, you may have a hidden leak that is causing one or more irrigation heads to spray with less force. Should you see this, mark the suspect areas with a flag or rock, so you can show the irrigation tech where his or her attention needs to be focused.
Your water bill has spiked. If the amount of your water bill is suddenly higher than usual, you may have a hidden leak. Should this happen, contact the water company first. They will do a comprehensive check of your home’s water lines. If their search fails to find any leaks, you will need to call an irrigation expert to determine if the leak is originating from the irrigation lines.
Become a meter reader. It’s a good rule of thumb to check your water meter on a regular basis. If you find one day that it’s constantly spinning even though no faucets in your home are on, there may be a hidden irrigation leak lurking.
Be sure to check your irrigation system every so often to make sure it’s working properly. If you’re not sure your system is running like it should, call us or complete our request service form and we’ll be happy to take a look.
Hidden Irrigation Leaks Can Be Costly in More Ways than One
When your irrigation system is leaking under the surface and out of sight, not only are you wasting water, but you’re washing away your hard-earned money at the same time. Depending on how long the leak has existed, you may have to open your wallet to replace portions of dead grass and even prized pieces of your garden and landscape. These are the reasons why it’s vital to catch and repair hidden irrigation leaks as soon as possible.
Remember, if you ever need assistance with sprinkler repair or irrigation in the Orlando area, make sure and give us a ring!