The weather’s warm, the sun is out, and summer is in full swing. But between backyard barbecues and summer vacations, you should take some time to tick off some items on your home maintenance checklist. One vital mid summer to-do, especially during the extreme heat so much of the country is seeing, is checking to make sure your irrigation system is functioning properly.
Just like indoor plumbing, irrigation systems can experience leaks, leading to wasted water and an unpleasant surprise on your next water bill. An irrigation leak about the thickness of a dime can waste about 6,300 gallons of water per month, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. That’s about 35% more water than a typical household spends monthly on indoor water usage.
Wasted water and pricey utility bills aren’t the only risks associated with outdoor sprinkler leaks. Other problems can occur if a leak is large or left unattended. Sinkholes and underground cavities can form and damage property as well as utility lines. Plus, unequal watering because of a faulty sprinkler system can kill plants, ruining parts of your landscape.
Knowing the environmental and data-driven signs that you have a leak can help minimize damage and save you money on repairs or water bills.
Here are a few things to look for:
- Dry landscape. A lawn or yard that looks like it hasn’t been watered is an obvious sign that something may be wrong with your sprinkler system. You may also notice that most areas are dry while a specific area is green. That might help you find the broken sprinkler pipe underground.
- Higher water bill. If you haven’t been using significantly more water indoors but get a significantly higher than normal bill after you begin irrigation, you could have an irrigation leak. However, there could also be a leak somewhere else in the house. You may want to install a dedicated irrigation meter so it’s easier to determine whether the problem is indoors or outdoors.
- Pooling water around the sprinkler head. While your overall landscape may be dry due to uneven watering, leak areas can make themselves known with puddles around the sprinkler head or in other spots around the yard that suggest excessive water flow.
- Low pressure. Like other pipe leaks, pressure can tell you what’s happening within a system. And when it’s too low, it can mean that water flow is off, indicating a possible leak. This usually looks like sprinkler heads spouting very little water or, in some cases, they won’t raise at all.
- Visible damage. Just as you did with your post-winter checkup, look for cracked pipes as well as broken solenoid valves or damaged sprinkler heads.
If you suspect or spot a leak, your first call should be to your local water company. It’s in both of your best interests to rectify the problem. However, broken or leaking pipes are ultimately the property owner’s responsibility. So if you end up having to do more major repairs than you thought, it’s best to call a plumber.
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