Sprinklers are an excellent way to maintain your plants and landscape's beauty and health. They cool down your garden during the hot summer months and provide the perfect, even watering to your plants. A well-functioning sprinkler system offers much for your outdoor space but also needs care and maintenance. Many homeowners overlook this aspect, which can put their sprinklers at risk of damage. Certain things can host potential problems for your sprinklers down the line, and a faulty sprinkler system can damage your lawn. The damage can be caused by numerous factors, from human mistakes to mechanical errors.

In this post, we will share the risks to sprinklers so you can take preventive measures to fix these things and prevent damage to your irrigation system.

Things That Put Your Sprinklers at Risk of Damage

1. Improper Installation

Poor installation is one of the major causes of sprinkler system failure. If your sprinklers are not installed properly, they run a high risk of malfunctioning. Some common installation errors include using wrong pipes, improper sprinkler head placement, or incorrect height. In addition, the use of low-quality components can increase issues and damage your sprinkler system.

Sprinklers supply water to all areas of your yard through the network of underground pipes. If any component is faulty or installed incorrectly, you run the danger of having trouble in and around your yard. The damaged pipes may run close to your home's foundation, which could seep into your property and cause serious damage.

2. Heavy Equipment

Driving a lawnmower or any other heavy equipment over your lawn can be risky as it can seriously damage your sprinkler system. Lawnmowers, tractors, blowers, or even cars put a lot of pressure on the ground, which can break pipes or sprinkler heads. It's possible that even the most careful and experienced gardener has dinged a sprinkler or two by running equipment over it.

If you are worried about damaging sprinklers in the future, consider installing pop-up sprinklers. Also, always check the height of the mower blades before mowing your lawn. Do not to drive heavy vehicles over your lawn.

3. Invasive Tree Roots

Your sprinkler system is designed to supply water to the roots of trees and shrubs, but there are times when these roots can cause problems. Tree roots prefer growing in moist environments, which can be problematic for sprinkler systems with damaged pipes. Even the tiniest crack can allow excess water to leak into the soil, which causes the roots to grow toward the moisture and eventually invade your pipes. Even if tree roots don't break through the pipes, they can clog the components and apply terrible pressure as they spread.

4. Freezing Temperatures

Even weather can damage your sprinklers. If you do not winterize your system, it can be damaged by freezing winter weather. The water left in pipes can freeze and expand in cold weather, leading to significant damage. This can cause your pipes to burst or crack. Therefore, it is crucial to winterize your in-ground sprinkler systems before the first deep frost in your area to minimize the risk of cracks, leaks, and other damage.

Read More: Common Sprinkler Problems and How to Diagnose Them

5. Irrigation Backflow

Backflow is another common issue experienced with irrigation systems that every homeowner deals with. It occurs when water in the sprinkler system flows upstream or backward into a potable water source instead of flowing out. This water carries contaminants, fertilizers, and chemicals that can be harmful. Therefore, backflow prevention is highly significant and required. As a gardener and homeowner, you should install a backflow prevention device on the sprinkler system to prevent potable water contamination of your water source.

6. Poor Water Pressure

Fluctuating water pressure is a common issue in sprinkler systems. Both low and high-water pressure can highly affect the performance of your irrigation system. Make sure the sprinkler system's maximum flow capacity has not been exceeded. Some signs of uneven water pressure include inconsistent spray patterns, sprinklers not entirely popping up, uneven coverage area, or brown spots in the yard.

Low water pressure reduces irrigation efficiency. It occurs due to clogged sprinkler heads, blocked pipes, or issues with the main supply. High water pressure can damage components of your system. When the pressure at the nozzle is so high, the water leaves the spray nozzle as a mist instead of large droplets. Therefore, it is crucial to have proper pressure for even watering and longevity of your sprinkler system.

Tips to Maintain Your Sprinklers and Prevent Damage

Here are some expert tips to maintain your irrigation system for proper functioning.

Conduct Routine Inspection: Inspect your sprinkler system routinely for clogged nozzles, broken heads, uneven water distribution, or visible leaks. Make necessary adjustments promptly to ensure even coverage.

Clean the System: Dirt, debris, and mineral deposits can clog the irrigation system, affecting your system's performance and efficiency. Clean all nozzles, filters, and sprinkler heads, to maintain optimal water pressure.

Adjust Watering Schedule According to Season: Assess your yard's watering needs and adjust the sprinkler's schedule according to rainfall, seasonal changes, climate, and specific plant requirements.

Install a Rain Sensor: Install an irrigation controller to set up an automatic irrigation and rain sensor to monitor water levels and notify your system to skip the next watering cycle. This will prevent overwatering the lawn.

Winterize the System: Once the temperatures drop below 32° F, prepare your sprinkler system for winter. If a consistent cold and deep frost appears on the horizon, it's time to winterize your irrigation system. Thoroughly drain the system and insulate the exposed components to prevent freezing damage.

The Bottom Line

Sprinkler systems are innovative irrigation systems that provide convenient, even, and efficient irrigation to keep your landscape lush and healthy. They provide a convenient way to keep your lawn healthy and beautiful. Understanding the above risks to your sprinkler system and knowing how to prevent them can protect your system for years to come. Inspect and maintain your sprinkler system for the longevity of your plants and garden and to avoid common sprinkler problems. By neglecting the above risks and irrigation system maintenance routine, you put both your sprinklers and plants at risk. Also, these damages will waste water and money. Install a quality sprinkler system and follow these tips: your plants will thank you.

Sprinkler systems from DripWorks allow you to irrigate your lawn and plants effectively, maintaining a beautiful outdoor space. We offer high-quality, reliable, and affordable sprinklers, sprinkler tools, ready-to-install drip irrigation kits, backflow preventers, durable pipes, and all the irrigation components.