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Most Common Lawn Sprinkler Problems (and How to Fix Them)

Quick homeowner tips from the pros at Systemize Irrigation — serving Wilmington, Raleigh & the Cape Fear region.

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5 Common Problems with Lawn Sprinkler Systems

The most common problem we find in lawn sprinkler systems is the use of incorrect sprinkler heads or nozzles. When mismatched sizes or spray patterns are installed, it can cause uneven watering, poor coverage, and wasted water — all of which reduce the system’s overall efficiency. Always replace parts with the correct model and nozzle size to maintain the designed performance of your irrigation system.

If your lawn sprinkler system isn’t behaving — zones not turning on, water shooting up like a fountain, or a soggy patch in the yard — start by checking power to the controller, the rain sensor status, and the main water shutoff. Below are the five most common issues we fix every week, with quick DIY checks and when it’s best to call a pro.

1) Lawn Sprinkler Shooting Water Like a Fountain

This “geyser” look usually means a broken sprinkler head, cracked riser, or damaged seal—often from a mower or edger.

DIY Steps

  • Identify the broken lawn sprinkler.
  • Turn off the zone at the controller.
  • For spray-type sprinklers, replace the nozzle if only the nozzle is damaged. If the body is cracked, replace the entire sprinkler. Excavate around the head to the connection point, unscrew the body counterclockwise, and install the new head. Use the same head type and the correct nozzle size to match the original, then backfill.

When to Call a Pro

Multiple heads are broken, the body won’t unscrew, or water keeps flowing with the system off.

Typical Cost

Service call $110–$150 + parts.

2) Lawn Sprinkler Not Covering the Entire Area

Dry spots or misting often come from a clogged/worn nozzle, mismatched nozzles with different application rates, incorrect arc/distance, or a sunken head.

DIY Steps

  • Unscrew nozzle and clean the small screen filter.
  • Adjust the arc/distance on the nozzle.
  • Replace nozzle to match nearby spray pattern; if the body is damaged/sunken, replace the full head.

When to Call a Pro

Coverage still uneven across multiple heads or you suspect poor zone design or low pressure.

Typical Cost

Service call $110–$150 + parts.

3) Irrigation System Not Turning On at the Controller

If a lawn sprinkler zone won’t start, it can be no power to the controller, a rain sensor stopping irrigation, the water source off, or a solenoid/wiring issue.

DIY Steps

  • Confirm controller power; if needed, switch off/on to reset.
  • Check rain sensor status (bypass or dry it out if recently rained).
  • Confirm main water supply is on.

When to Call a Pro

Multiple zones won’t start, or recent landscape work may have cut low-voltage wires.

Typical Cost

Diagnostic/repair $110–$250.

4) Very Wet Area in My Yard (Soggy or Flooded)

A soggy patch may be low-head drainage, a leaky sprinkler/valve, or a broken underground pipe.

DIY Steps

  • Turn the system off at the main water source for a few hours.
  • Turn it back on and check the spot. If water still pools, it’s likely a leak or a zone valve that isn’t fully closing.
  • Look for a cracked head near the wet spot.
  • If water drains from the lowest head when off, ask about check-valve heads to stop low-head drainage.

When to Call a Pro

Standing water persists, the area sinks, or water flows even with the controller off.

Typical Cost

$110–$260 depending on whether it’s a head/valve vs. pipe repair.

5) Low Pressure or Weak Lawn Sprinkler Spray

Weak spray can be a partially closed main valve, clogged filter/nozzles/backflow, oversized nozzles, or too many heads on one zone. On wells: possible well/filter issue.

DIY Steps

  • Fully open the main water shutoff.
  • Clean/replace individual nozzles showing misting or weak spray.
  • Run zones one at a time to isolate a problem zone.

When to Call a Pro

Zone-wide low pressure, well/pump issues, or you suspect a clog in the backflow or filter.

Typical Cost

$110–$200 + parts.

Bonus: Lawn Sprinkler Zone Won’t Shut Off

Often a small piece of debris in the valve diaphragm. A quick power/water reset can clear it.

DIY Steps (No Valve Box Needed)

  • Turn off the irrigation controller and main water supply.
  • Turn water back on. If the zone stays off, go to the controller and manually run that zone, then stop it.
  • If it shuts off normally afterward, the debris likely passed.

Most homeowners don’t know valve box locations—avoid opening boxes (snakes/spiders) or handling solenoids.

When to Call a Pro

If the zone stays on, or this keeps happening, the valve or diaphragm likely needs service.

Typical Cost

$160–$260.

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