McKinney Sprinkler Issues: 4 Common Problems & Fixes

A lush, green lawn is the pride of any homeowner, but keeping it that way requires a healthy and efficient sprinkler system—and the help of a trusted partner like McKinney Sprinkler Repair. When problems arise, they often lead to wasted water, higher bills, and a stressed, unhealthy landscape. Many homeowners notice the symptoms—like brown spots or soggy patches—but aren’t sure of the cause. By working with McKinney Sprinkler Repair and understanding the most common sprinkler system issues, you can spot problems early and take action.

This guide will walk you through four frequent sprinkler problems that McKinney homeowners face. You’ll learn how to spot each issue and what steps you can take, but for fast, effective solutions and expert diagnostics, McKinney Sprinkler Repair is the team you can trust to identify and fix these problems before they impact your lawn.

1. Leaking Sprinkler Valves

One of the most wasteful and damaging sprinkler problems is a leaking valve. A control valve acts as a gate, opening to let water flow to a specific zone and closing to stop it. When a valve fails to shut completely, water continuously seeps out, even when the system is off.

How to Spot a Leaking Valve

Soggy Areas: Look for patches of constantly wet ground or mud around a sprinkler head, even hours or days after your system has run.
Low Head Drainage: While a small amount of water draining from the lowest sprinkler head in a zone can be normal, a constant trickle is a red flag.
Unusually High Water Bills: A sudden, unexplained spike in your water bill often points to a hidden leak somewhere in your plumbing or irrigation system.

The Impact of Leaking Valves

A single leaking valve can waste thousands of gallons of water per month. This not only drives up your utility costs but also creates an overly saturated environment in your lawn, which can lead to fungal diseases and root rot. The constant moisture can also erode the soil and damage your landscape.

What to Do

Valve leaks are often caused by debris trapped inside the diaphragm or a worn-out seal. While some DIY-savvy homeowners may attempt to clean or replace the internal parts, valve repair can be complex. The valve box is often buried, and improper repairs can cause more significant damage. For a reliable fix, it’s best to contact a professional. Technicians can quickly diagnose whether the valve needs cleaning, a rebuild, or a full replacement.

2. Watering at the Wrong Time

Your watering schedule is just as important as the amount of water you use. Watering at the wrong time of day can dramatically reduce your system’s efficiency, meaning your lawn isn’t getting the moisture it needs, even though you’re paying for the water.

The Problem with Midday Watering

The worst time to water your lawn is in the middle of the day, especially during the hot Texas summer. When the sun is high and temperatures are at their peak, a significant portion of the water from your sprinklers will evaporate before it ever reaches the roots of your grass. This leads to:

Wasted Water: You pay for water that literally vanishes into thin air.
Shallow Root Growth: The small amount of water that does reach the soil may only moisten the top layer, encouraging shallow roots that are less resilient to drought.
Ineffective Hydration: Your lawn remains thirsty, leading to stress and brown spots.

The Best Time to Water

The most efficient time to water your lawn is in the early morning, typically between 4 a.m. and 9 a.m. During these cooler hours, evaporation is minimal, and the calm winds ensure that water is distributed evenly. Watering in the morning also gives the grass blades time to dry during the day, which helps prevent the growth of fungus.

How to Fix It

This is one of the easiest sprinkler issues to solve. Simply check the settings on your sprinkler controller or timer. Adjust the start time for your watering cycles to the early morning. If you have an older controller that is difficult to program or you want to upgrade to a “smart” controller that automatically adjusts to weather conditions, a professional can help you select and install the right model for your needs.

3. Faulty Pressure Regulators

Water pressure is a critical component of an effective sprinkler system. Too much pressure causes misting and fogging, while too little pressure results in weak streams and poor coverage. A pressure regulator’s job is to ensure the water entering your system is at the optimal PSI for your specific sprinkler heads.

Signs of Pressure Problems

Misting or Fogging: If your sprinklers are creating a fine mist that gets carried away by the wind, your pressure is likely too high. This is incredibly wasteful, as the water evaporates quickly.
Donut-Shaped Dry Spots: High pressure can cause the water to shoot straight out, missing the area directly around the sprinkler head. This creates a dry ring of grass around the head, often called a “donut.”
Weak Spray and Poor Coverage: If sprinkler heads don’t pop up fully or the water stream doesn’t reach its intended distance, your pressure may be too low. This leaves gaps in coverage and causes underwatering.

The Solution

Pressure issues can stem from a faulty system-wide regulator, the lack of pressure-regulating sprinkler heads, or even problems with your municipal water supply. An irrigation professional can use a pressure gauge to test the PSI at various points in your system. Based on the readings, they can install or replace a master pressure regulator for the whole system or swap out standard sprinkler heads for pressure-regulating models in specific zones.

4. System Underwatering

Perhaps the most visible sprinkler problem is underwatering, which leaves your lawn with dry, brown spots and a stressed appearance. While it may seem like a simple fix—just water more—the root cause is often more complex than just an insufficient run time.

Common Causes of Underwatering

Clogged Nozzles: Dirt, sand, or other debris can easily clog the small opening of a sprinkler nozzle, restricting or completely blocking water flow.
Poor Head Alignment: Sprinkler heads can get knocked out of alignment by lawnmowers or foot traffic, causing them to water sidewalks, driveways, or the side of your house instead of your lawn.
Incorrect Spacing: If sprinkler heads are spaced too far apart, there will be dry spots between their spray patterns. This is a common design flaw in older or poorly installed systems.
Insufficient Watering Times: Your system may simply not be programmed to run long enough to deliver the deep watering your lawn needs to thrive.

How to Address Underwatering

Start by observing your system while it runs. Look for clogged nozzles that you can clean with a small tool. Check the alignment of each head and gently adjust it to spray in the right direction. For programming, a general rule is to water long enough to moisten the soil 6-8 inches deep.

If you’ve cleaned nozzles and adjusted heads but still have brown spots, you may have a larger design or pressure issue. A professional audit from McKinney Sprinkler Repair can identify coverage gaps and provide solutions, such as adding or moving heads, changing nozzle types, or adjusting your watering schedule for optimal health.

Save Water and Your Lawn with Professional Sprinkler Repair

A well-maintained sprinkler system is an investment in the health and beauty of your property. By addressing common issues like leaking valves, poor timing, pressure problems, and underwatering, you can conserve water, lower your utility bills, and ensure your lawn stays green all season long.

While some minor adjustments are easy for homeowners to handle, many sprinkler problems require specialized knowledge and tools. The team at McKinney Sprinkler Repair has the expertise to diagnose and fix any issue, from simple repairs to complex system overhauls. Contact us today to schedule an inspection and keep your sprinkler system running efficiently.