Sprinkler Problems To Keep An Eye Out For

& Solutions For Those Problems

When your sprinkler system is doing its job, your lawn stays green, your water bill behaves, and everything works. But when it’s not? You might be left wondering why your neighbors’ yards look like golf courses and yours look like a patchy science experiment. Here at CS Sprinklers, we’ve seen it all in Denver—frozen lines, busted heads, wild geysers in the middle of driveways. So, let’s run through the ten warning signs your sprinkler system might be waving a big red flag and, more importantly, how to fix them before things get worse.

1. Low Water Pressure or Uneven Coverage

If your sprinklers are trickling instead of spraying, or your lawn has green stripes alternating with brown ones, you’ve got a pressure problem. This could be caused by clogged heads, broken pipes, or even a faulty valve. Left alone, these issues can waste water and leave parts of your yard thirstier than a July afternoon in Denver.

To fix it, start with the basics. Check each sprinkler head for dirt, debris, or mineral buildup. Sometimes, all it takes is a good scrub with a toothbrush. If the problem sticks around, you might need to replace a valve or have us check for hidden leaks underground. We’ve got the tools to do that without tearing up your yard.

The important thing is not to ignore it. Pressure issues don’t fix themselves, and what starts as a dry patch can turn into a full-blown reseeding job if left unchecked. Trust us—your lawn (and water bill) will thank you.

2. Sprinkler Heads That Don’t Pop Up

Sprinkler heads that stay buried like they’re on vacation aren’t helping anyone. If they’re not popping up when the system turns on, that’s usually a sign of water pressure issues, debris around the head, internal damage from wear and tear—or an overzealous lawnmower.

Try cleaning around the heads and ensure there is no mulch, grass, or soil clogging them. If that doesn’t work, you may need to replace the pop-up mechanism or the entire head. It’s usually a quick job and won’t cost much, but it makes a big difference in performance.

Don’t wait too long—sprinkler heads that stay down leave bald spots on your lawn. If your grass is patchy and you’ve ruled out the dog, give us a call, and we’ll get those heads back on task.

3. Water Pooling or Soggy Spots

Too much water in one area is a classic sign that something’s leaking below the surface. Sprinkler systems are underground, so when a line cracks or a connection loosens, the water doesn’t just disappear. It seeps up and turns your yard into a swampy mess.

If you notice mushy spots or pooling water, try turning off the system and watching the area. If it stays soggy, chances are good there’s a break somewhere. While it might be tempting to dig around yourself, this is usually where a pro comes in handy.

We’ve got tools that let us pinpoint leaks without tearing up your grass like a gopher on a mission. Fixing leaks early prevents wasted water, high water bills, and damage to your lawn. Don’t wait until your yard becomes a duck pond.

4. Sprinklers That Spray Sideways or Into the Street

If your sprinklers are watering your driveway more than your lawn, it’s time for a tune-up. Heads that spray in odd directions have usually been bumped, twisted, or broken. Sometimes they wear out and lose their aim like a retired quarterback.

Straightening them might be as easy as giving the head a gentle twist while the system’s running. If that doesn’t work, the nozzle may be cracked or the head may need to be replaced. Most heads are inexpensive and easy to swap out with the right tools.

It may seem like a small thing, but misdirected spray wastes water and leaves your lawn dry. Here in Denver, we’re all about smart water use—not watering the sidewalk.

5. Zones That Won’t Turn On

If a whole zone is refusing to cooperate, you could have an electrical problem, a bad valve, or a controller that’s given up. Most sprinkler systems are split into zones to help manage water pressure and coverage, so when one goes down, part of your lawn gets neglected.

First, check the controller to make sure it’s not stuck or displaying an error code. Then, inspect the valve for that zone—sometimes debris or a bad solenoid is the culprit. If you’re comfortable with wiring, you can test the electrical signals. If not, that’s our bread and butter.

Getting that zone back online means your lawn gets even coverage again—and you can stop dragging hoses around like it’s 1982.

6. High Water Bills with No Obvious Reason

If your water bill has gone rogue but you haven’t filled a pool or started a car wash business, the issue might be underground. Small leaks or faulty valves can run constantly without you seeing them, especially at night when most systems are set to water.

One easy check: turn off all water in your home and watch your meter. If it keeps spinning, something’s leaking. Then test the sprinkler system zone by zone while watching for pressure drops or soft ground.

This is where a full system inspection pays off. We’ve found everything from cracked PVC lines to squirrels chewing valve wires. Solving the mystery early keeps more money in your pocket.

7. Heads That Spray Mist Instead of a Steady Stream

When your sprinklers look more like fog machines than water jets, it usually means the pressure’s too high. That mist doesn’t do much watering—it just floats away with the breeze. High pressure can also wear out your heads faster and cause long-term damage to your system.

You can fix this by installing a pressure regulator or adjusting one if your system already has it. We can help you find the sweet spot where your sprinklers work efficiently without cooling the neighborhood.

8. Weird Noises or Sputtering Sounds

If your sprinkler system sounds like it’s gasping for air or trying to communicate in Morse code, it’s time to look closer. Sputtering usually means air is trapped in the lines, or that there’s a crack somewhere letting air in and water out.

Start by flushing the system—turn off all zones, then run each one for a few minutes to clear out the air. If that doesn’t help, the problem could be a broken seal or pipe. Sometimes winter damage sneaks up on systems that weren’t fully blown out in the fall.

Sputtering is more than annoying—it messes with water flow and can cause uneven watering.

9. Wet Valve Box

Your valve box should stay mostly dry. If you pop the lid and see standing water, mud, or steady drips, you’ve got a leak. This could be a bad valve, a loose connection, or cracked pipes caused by root intrusion or freeze damage.

Unless you love getting wrist-deep in mud and PVC fittings, this one’s best left to a sprinkler tech. We’ll isolate the problem, fix it, and get your system back to normal without turning your lawn into a construction site.

A soggy valve box is your system crying for help. Don’t ignore it—or it’ll throw a tantrum come summer.

10. The System Doesn’t Run on Schedule (or at All)

When your system doesn’t turn on, skips days, or waters at random hours, chances are your controller’s having an existential crisis. Old wiring, dead batteries, or programming issues are often the cause. Power surges from Denver storms can also mess things up.

Try resetting the controller, replacing the backup battery, and double-checking the watering schedule. If it’s still acting strange, we can test the controller and replace it if needed. Sometimes it’s cheaper to upgrade to a smart system that adjusts for weather automatically.

You don’t need to be a tech wizard—we’ll walk you through it and even set up the programming. Consistent schedules mean healthier lawns and fewer headaches.

Need help with any of these sprinkler problems? We’re local, we’re friendly, and we actually answer the phone.

Give us a call today at (303) 627-4190 or email us at sprinklers@cssprinklers.com.