Have Questions About Your Sprinkler System?

Brown patches can develop when sprinkler heads are clogged, blocked by plants, or positioned incorrectly. Uneven pressure and gaps in coverage can leave one area dry while another receives too much water. Running the entire system longer can make that imbalance worse. Checking coverage first helps determine whether irrigation is the problem, since pests, disease, and other lawn conditions can also cause discoloration.

A broken sprinkler head, leaking valve, or isolated pipe issue can often be repaired without replacing the entire system. A larger upgrade may make sense when failures keep recurring, the layout no longer matches your landscape, or several zones struggle to provide adequate coverage. All Dade Plumbing and Sprinklers Inc. evaluates the system’s condition and performance to help you compare targeted repairs, partial upgrades, and replacement.

Weak spray can result from clogged nozzles, damaged heads, underground leaks, or insufficient water pressure. If every head in one zone is affected, the problem may involve that zone’s water supply, valve, or overall design. Identifying whether the issue affects one head, one zone, or the entire system helps narrow down the cause before components are replaced.

Water that briefly drains from a low sprinkler head may be leftover water emptying from the zone’s piping, known as low-head drainage. Persistent flow can indicate a valve that is not closing properly. The right repair depends on the cause, so replacing the sprinkler head alone may not solve the problem. An inspection can distinguish drainage from an ongoing valve leak.

In many cases, an existing system can be upgraded with a compatible smart controller. Depending on the model, it can use weather information or soil moisture readings to adjust watering more closely to your landscape’s needs. Proper setup is essential, and the controller cannot correct broken pipes, blocked heads, or poor coverage. Those issues should be addressed as part of the upgrade.

Not necessarily. Different sprinkler types apply water at different rates, and sunny lawns, shaded areas, and planting beds can have different watering needs. Giving every zone the same runtime may overwater some areas while leaving others too dry. Zone settings should reflect the sprinkler output, soil conditions, plant types, and sun exposure in each part of your property.

They can, but combining plants with different watering needs can make efficient irrigation difficult. Established shrubs may need much less supplemental water than turfgrass, while new plants may need temporary establishment watering. Separating areas with different needs allows more precise scheduling and can prevent lawn watering from repeatedly soaking beds that already have enough moisture.

Yes. New plants and fences can block sprinkler spray, while patios and other hardscape changes can leave heads watering surfaces that no longer need irrigation. Construction may also disturb underground lines. Reviewing the system after these changes helps identify damaged components, misplaced heads, and coverage gaps before they lead to ongoing water waste or stressed landscaping.

Watering should respond to actual rainfall, soil moisture, and plant needs rather than remain on the same schedule year-round. During rainy periods, established landscapes may need little supplemental irrigation. During drier weather, the system should provide adequate coverage without automatically increasing every zone’s runtime. Seasonal adjustments should also account for temperature, shade, and how quickly the soil dries.

An inspection should evaluate each zone’s coverage, visible leaks, sprinkler alignment, pressure, controller settings, and rain-sensing equipment. Particular attention should go to water spraying onto entrances, sidewalks, parking areas, and buildings. For larger properties, keeping a record of problem zones and completed repairs helps managers address recurring issues and prioritize improvements instead of repeatedly treating the same symptoms.