A leaking sprinkler system can cause numerous problems for your property in Bedford, Texas. It may make your sprinkler system less effective, waste water, increase your water bill, and cause water damage. Here, we’ll look at how you can locate a leak in your sprinkler system.
Contact us to schedule a service appointment to locate and repair sprinkler leaks in Bedford, Texas, or the surrounding area.
Common Sprinkler Leak Signs for Bedford Homeowners
The following are some common signs of a sprinkler leak. Please note that this list is not necessarily conclusive, and some of the signs described here may be caused by issues other than sprinkler leaks.
- Increased Water Bill: One way to determine if a leak is coming from your sprinkler system or elsewhere inside your home is by checking your water meter’s low-flow indicator. If the low flow indicator is moving when there is no water being used inside or outside, it indicates a leak. To determine if the leak is coming from the sprinkler system, turn off your main sprinkler system valve. When the sprinkler system valve has been shut off, check the low flow indicator again. If it continues to move, it indicates that the leak is in the home.
- Taller or Darker Grass: Taller or darker grass can indicate a leak that causes a section of your yard to receive more water.
- Irrigation Head Has Water Steadily Trickling Out: An irrigation head that leaks water long after the system has been shut off suggests that an underground valve may be leaking or weeping. The leaking or weeping may be due to a worn-out diaphragm seal, resulting in a continuous leak. The issue may be due to a clogged valve that isn’t closing fully.
- The Sprinkler Is Spraying Dirty Water, or Not Spraying Water as Far as it Should: If you have a sprinkler that is spraying dirty water, or not spraying water as far as it should, it may be due to an underground line rupture that causes soil to wash into the line.
- Fungal Growth: A leaking sprinkler system commonly causes fungal growth when a pipe near a tree leaks. The leak can cause an excessive amount of water to enter the tree’s root ball, thus creating an ideal environment for fungi to grow.
- Lawn is Watered Unevenly: A properly functioning sprinkler system should water your lawn evenly. Uneven watering suggests a problem, possibly a leak.
- Standing Water Appears: Standing water in your yard, particularly in areas where water typically doesn’t pool, can indicate a sprinkler system leak.
- Erosion: Erosion caused by sprinkler system leaks may initially appear like a hole dug by a small animal, such as a groundhog.
- Water Geyser from a Sprinkler Head’s Location: If a sprinkler head is missing, a water geyser may appear in its place.
- Signs of Digging Near Sprinkler Heads or Water Lines: Obvious signs of damage from digging near sprinkler heads or water lines are often caused by animals digging to get water.
- Sunken Areas in the Lawn: Your lawn may develop sunken areas due to overwatering.
Contact HEB Plumbing & Sprinkler for an appointment for sprinkler repair services in Bedford, Texas, and the surrounding area.
Why Sprinkler Leaks Are Common in Bedford’s Soil and Climate
While sprinkler leaks can occur regardless of conditions, the soil and climate in Bedford, Texas, can increase the likelihood of leaks.
Bedford’s Soil
Bedford, Texas, has expansive clay soil that expands when wet and shrinks when it dries. This movement puts pressure on pipes, which can cause leaks.
Bedford’s Climate
Bedford, Texas, sees its share of hot weather. Pipes expand in intense heat and contract when the temperature cools. The changing temperatures damage pipes and weaken fittings and joints, leading to gaps through which water leaks.
The intense sunshine that Bedford, Texas, often experiences can damage rubber seals and sprinkler heads.
While not as cold as other places, Bedford still sees some freezes. If water freezes inside the pipes, it can expand, damaging pipes, joints, and fittings.
Contact HEB Plumbing & Sprinkler to schedule a service appointment for irrigation system leak repair in Bedford, Texas, and the surrounding area.
Step-by-Step Guide to Finding a Sprinkler Leak in Bedford Yards
There are several methods you can use to locate a sprinkler system leak in your yard in Bedford, Texas. It is important to note that both of these methods require you to purchase equipment that may be difficult to use without instruction.
Inspecting Sprinkler Heads for Leaks
Before inspecting your sprinkler head for leaks, shut off the sprinkler system at the main valve to prevent being sprayed.
Next, locate all sprinkler heads in the system and activate them individually to check for water pressure and leaks.
If the sprinkler head has good water pressure, there might not be a leak; however, if water pressure is reduced or nonexistent, it could indicate one.
Inspecting Water Supply Lines
Step 1. Trace Your Sprinkler Irrigation Line Path
To locate a leak in your sprinkler system, it helps to know the layout of the sprinkler supply line. You may have a map of your sprinkler system from the installer. If not, you’ll have to dig in certain places to map out the system.
Please note: To avoid accidentally striking a utility line, contact your utility company before you dig or otherwise penetrate the ground so they can locate your utility lines. Texas law requires that this be done two business days before digging. Texans can call 811 or make an online request to have utility lines located on their property. You’ll need to take care to avoid accidentally striking anything important while digging, such as electrical lines for outdoor lighting.
The majority of irrigation pipes are made of PVC, meaning pipe detectors can help locate them. However, older irrigation pipes were made of metal.
Mapping Your System by Digging
To locate the sprinkler system’s first pipe, dig by the sprinkler heads and valve box (a leak may occur in the valve box). When you encounter the first pipe, continue mapping the rest of your system. Mark the pipes using spray paint or tape.
Irrigation pipes consist of straight and T-joint pipes. When you locate one section of pipe, the next part should be directly ahead or at a 90-degree angle to the left or right.
As mentioned earlier, you do NOT have to dig up your entire pipe. You can ensure you are going in the right direction by digging two to three feet from where you found the pipe. When digging, do so carefully and angle your shovel to the ground to avoid hitting straight down and damaging your pipes.
Step 2. Isolating the Leak’s Source
Once you’ve determined the pipe’s layout, it’s time to narrow down the leak’s location. You can do this in several ways, such as digging or using sound detection tools.
Please note that a sprinkler leak can occur in the valve box.
Method A. Locating Leaks by Digging
Each sprinkler system zone has a separation connection to the water supply. To find the area with the leak, the irrigation system must be turned off so the ground can dry.
- Turn off the sprinkler system’s water supply. If your sprinkler system has a controller, you can activate rain mode or turn it off for a few days. Please note that turning off the controller will stop the electric clock, so you’ll need to reset the timer once you’ve finished looking for the leak.
- Wait several days until the ground is completely dry. The time it takes for this to occur depends on the weather.
- Once the ground has fully dried up, cover every sprinkler head with a cap.
- Activate one sprinkler zone at a time and inspect the ground where you made the mark with tape or spray paint to check if it is wet, if the lawn seems elevated, or if you detect another sign of a sprinkler leak.
- If you find a wet area, turn off the water and dig at the spot to find the pipe.
- With the pipe exposed, turn the water back on. The leaking line should bubble or gush water, depending on the severity of the leak.
Method B. Finding Leaks by Sound
A leak can be detected by audio. However, you’ll need to invest in an acoustic water leak detection kit.
Use the kit to follow the marked water lines. When used correctly, it will enable you to hear disruptions in the water flow underneath the soil. Please note that the highly technical nature of these devices means you’ll have to learn how to use them correctly.
When you’ve located the leak, dig to uncover the pipe and locate the damaged section.
The following is an instructional video on how to use LeakTronics equipment to find sprinkler system leaks.
LEAKS Destroying Your Home Irrigation System? Fix Them FAST!
Helpful Tools for Locating Sprinkler Leaks in North Texas
Sprinkler leaks may not always be easy to find. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to use technology to make searching for leaks easier. Please note that, given the cost of the equipment and the skill needed to use it, you may prefer to contact a professional plumber to detect the leak.
- Water Leak Microphone: A water leak microphone is either a probe or a rod moved over the ground covering the sprinkler line to amplify vibration or water sounds from it. The leak is located by determining where the sound is most intense. The user wears headphones when using water leak microphones to help them hear indications of leaks.
- Moisture Meter: A moisture meter is inserted into the ground in the area where you think the leak is, and provides a reading of the moisture content.
- Pressure Gauge: A pressure gauge can help you determine if areas of your sprinkler system have reduced water pressure, which may indicate a leak.
Contact HEB Plumbing & Sprinkler to schedule a sprinkler system repair in Bedford, Texas, or the surrounding area.
How to Prevent Sprinkler Leaks in Bedford’s Clay Soil and Hot Summers
While there are no guarantees, you can take several steps to help prevent sprinkler system leaks in Bedford, Texas’s clay soil and hot climate.
- Utilize Quality Materials: Select sprinkler pipes that are made of quality materials, such as flexible piping or thick-walled PVC, that are better equipped to handle the shifting clay soil and hot summers of Bedford, Texas.
- Have Your Sprinkler System Inspected Annually: An annual sprinkler inspection, preferably before spring and summer, can help identify issues. By detecting issues early on, it may be possible to prevent leaks before they occur.
- Winterize Your Sprinkler: By properly winterizing your sprinkler system, you can help protect it from freezing temperatures.
Local Sprinkler Repair Services in Bedford, TX
At HEB Plumbing, we’ve proudly served the sprinkler repair needs of Bedford, Texas, for years. We can locate and repair your sprinkler leak. Our work has earned us many five-star reviews and testimonials from satisfied clients.
Contact us to request sprinkler repair services in Bedford, Texas, and the surrounding area.
FAQs:
The following are some common signs of sprinkler leaks in Bedford, Texas. Please note that this list is not conclusive, and the signs listed here may have other causes besides sprinkler leaks.
– Fungal growth, particularly when a sprinkler system pipe is near a tree
– Water geyser from the sprinkler head area
– Increased water bill
– Taller or darker grass
– Irrigation head has water steadily trickling out
– The sprinkler is spraying dirty water, or not spraying as far as it should
– Signs of digging near the sprinkler head or water lines
– Unevenly watered lawn
– Standing water
– Erosion
The shifting clay soil in Bedford, Texas, exerts pressure on the pipes as it expands when wet and shrinks when it dries. Bedford’s intense hot weather, followed by cooling, causes pipes to expand and contract.
The time it takes to repair a sprinkler leak can vary. Factors such as the location of the leak and the skill of the person conducting the leak repair influence how long it takes. On average, a sprinkler professional may be able to repair a sprinkler leak in around 2 hours. A leaking pipe will generally take longer to repair.
A sprinkler system leak can increase your water bill in Bedford, Texas.
The cost of a sprinkler leak detection in Bedford, Texas, can vary. Please contact us for a free quote.
We try to respond to all requests for sprinkler repair in Bedford, Texas, within 24 hours.