Common Sprinkler Issues in Mesquite and How to Fix Them

A healthy, green lawn is a source of pride for any Mesquite homeowner, and your sprinkler system is the unsung hero behind it. But when it stops working correctly, it can cause major headaches, from brown, patchy grass to skyrocketing water bills. Understanding the common problems that affect irrigation systems in our area can help you keep your lawn looking its best.

We’ll walk you through four frequent sprinkler issues Mesquite residents face: frozen pipes, stuck solenoids, root intrusion, and waterlogging. You will learn what causes them and what you can do to fix them.

1. Frozen and Cracked Pipes

While Mesquite is known for its hot summers, our winters can deliver unexpected freezes. When water inside your sprinkler pipes freezes, it expands with incredible force, which can crack PVC pipes and damage sprinkler heads.

Why it happens: The primary cause is residual water left in the system when temperatures drop below 32°F. Even a brief, hard freeze overnight is enough to cause significant damage, leading to major leaks and costly repairs once things thaw out.

Solutions and Prevention:

• Winterize Your System: The most effective preventative measure is to winterize your sprinkler system before the first freeze. This involves shutting off the main water supply to the irrigation system and using an air compressor to blow all remaining water out of the pipes and sprinkler heads. This “blowout” method ensures the lines are empty and safe from freezing.
• Insulate Exposed Components: For above-ground components like the backflow preventer and any exposed pipes, use foam insulation sleeves or blankets. This adds a crucial layer of protection during cold snaps.
• Emergency Fix: If a pipe does crack, you’ll need to locate the damaged section. Turn off the water supply, dig around the pipe to expose the crack, and cut out the broken piece. You can then replace it using a new section of PVC pipe and appropriate couplings and glue. For many homeowners, this is a job best left to a professional.

2. Stuck Solenoids

Have you ever noticed a sprinkler zone that won’t turn on or, even worse, won’t turn off? The culprit is often a small but essential part called a solenoid. The solenoid is an electromagnetic coil that lifts a plunger to open the sprinkler valve, allowing water to flow. When it gets stuck, the valve either fails to open or fails to close.

Why it happens: Debris like dirt, small rocks, or sand can get lodged in the valve, preventing the solenoid’s plunger from moving freely. Over time, the solenoid can also simply wear out and fail electrically.

Solutions and Prevention:

• Clean the Valve: First, turn off the water to your sprinkler system. Unscrew the solenoid (it looks like a small cylinder with wires coming out of it) from the top of the valve. Carefully remove the plunger and spring inside and clean them. Also, inspect the valve body for any visible debris and flush it out.
• Test and Replace: If cleaning doesn’t work, the solenoid itself may have failed. You can test it with a multimeter to check for electrical continuity. If it’s faulty, replacing it is straightforward. Just be sure to buy a replacement model that is compatible with your valve brand.
• Install a Filter: To prevent future issues, consider installing a filter on your main irrigation line. This will catch debris before it can reach the valves and cause problems.

3. Root Intrusion

The clay-heavy soil common in Mesquite encourages tree and shrub roots to grow near the surface in search of water and oxygen. Unfortunately, your sprinkler pipes offer an easy source of moisture, and fine, hair-like roots can work their way into tiny cracks or loose joints, causing blockages and eventually breaking the pipes apart.

Why it happens: Roots are naturally drawn to water. Small, existing leaks or condensation on the outside of pipes create a trail for roots to follow. Once they find the source, they will grow into the pipe to access the consistent water supply.

Solutions and Prevention:

• Careful Landscaping: When planting new trees or large shrubs, be mindful of where your underground sprinkler lines are located. Try to plant them a safe distance away to minimize future conflicts.
• Root Barriers: For existing landscaping, you can install root barriers. These are physical sheets of plastic or fabric buried vertically in the ground between your plants and your pipes to deflect root growth.
• Repairing Damage: If you suspect root intrusion is causing low pressure or wet spots in your yard, you will need to dig up the affected area. This can be difficult to pinpoint. Once you locate the damaged pipe, you’ll need to cut out the root-filled section and replace it.

4. Waterlogging and Puddling

Seeing pools of water on your lawn or consistently soggy soil is a clear sign something is wrong. Waterlogging not only wastes a tremendous amount of water but also suffocates your grass roots, leading to disease, fungus, and yellowing patches.

Why it happens: This issue can have several causes:

• Low Head Drainage: The most common cause is “low head drainage,” where the lowest sprinkler head in a zone leaks out all the water left in the pipe after the system shuts off.
• Leaking Valve: A valve that isn’t closing completely due to a faulty solenoid or debris will cause a constant, slow leak in one or more zones.
• Improper Run Times: Especially with Mesquite’s clay soil, which absorbs water slowly, running your sprinklers for too long in a single session causes runoff and puddling.

Solutions and Prevention:

• Install Check Valves: To fix low head drainage, you can install sprinkler heads with built-in check valves. These valves hold water in the pipes, preventing it from draining out through the lowest head.
• Cycle and Soak Watering: Instead of watering for one long period, break it up. Program your controller to water for a short duration (e.g., 5-7 minutes), then pause for an hour to let the clay soil absorb the moisture before running another short cycle. This “cycle and soak” method drastically reduces runoff.
• Inspect and Repair Valves: If you suspect a continuously leaking valve, inspect it for debris or a faulty solenoid as described in the section above.

When to Call a Professional

While some of these fixes are suitable for a weekend DIY project, many sprinkler issues—especially underground leaks and electrical problems—can be complex and time-consuming to diagnose and repair. If you’ve tried the basic steps and are still having trouble, or if you simply want the peace of mind that comes with a professional touch, we are here to help.

A properly functioning sprinkler system is key to maintaining a beautiful and healthy landscape in the Texas heat. Don’t let a small problem turn into a big one. If you’re facing any of these common issues in Mesquite, contact a professional sprinkler repair service today for expert diagnosis and efficient repairs.