Underground sprinkler systems are a fantastic modern convenience, especially for homes that have a large yard to cover. However, being largely underground means that if there are leaks or damage, detecting these problems can be more challenging.
Leaks in your underground sprinkler system are worse than you might initially think. They can cause flooding and erosion in your yard, which can lead to expensive restoration bills. Meanwhile, leaks that are close to your building can lead to water-damaged foundations, which is a catastrophic problem.
How do you detect these leaks? Our blog goes over the signs you should look for and when you should look for sprinkler repair services in Oakville.
Signs Your Sprinkler System Has a Leak
There are a few main signs you should look out for when trying to determine whether or not you need sprinkler repair services.
Wet Spots
When your sprinkler has finished its usual cycle, you should keep an eye out for spots that seem unusually wet.
Obviously the landscape will be wet after your sprinkler has been active, but if there are signs of too much water, such as marshy patches, pools of water, mud, bubbling water from the ground, or wet concrete, that can indicate that there is too much water in one area, which may mean a leak.
Drop in Water Pressure
If your system was installed correctly, you should be getting even, regular water pressure.
However, if you start noticing signs of low pressure, such as sprinkler heads not coming up, low coverage, or strange patterns from your sprinklers, it may indicate a leak somewhere in the line.
It’s important to keep in mind that it may be caused by other issues, such as low municipal water supply or issues with the backflow valve on your system. If you rule these out though, you should start looking for a leak in the line.
Increase in Water Bill
Your water bill should be pretty regular, depending on what the season calls for. If you start noticing a big spike in your water bill, it can be an indication that you have a leak in your system.
If you see a big leap in your water bill, check for other sources of the issue first. Leaky toilets, faucets, or inefficient washing machines. If you can’t find the issue, you should inspect your sprinkler system for leaks, or call a professional.
Erosion
While natural weathering plays its part in shaping the landscape, signs of unnecessary erosion in the landscape around your property can indicate that there’s an underground leak and that you should seek sprinkler repair services.
Erosion can appear anywhere along the line. It may first look like something small has been digging in the area, and may even appear to be a groundhog hole. If not addressed, it will continue to erode and cause a small sinkhole or erode the side of landscape elements.
Contact Us for Sprinkler Repair in Oakville
Spring Showers Irrigation knows underground irrigation system maintenance and sprinkler repair like the back of our hands. We are a family-owned company that has been operating for over 10 years in Oakville and the surrounding area.
If you suspect you have a leak in your sprinkler system, you want to call the sprinkler repair pros as soon as possible. If left unchecked, it can lead to much worse problems. So give us a call today and we’ll get right on it.