Automated lawn sprinkler systems provide busy homeowners with a convenient way to maintain their lawns. However, these sprinklers can sometimes encounter issues that compromise their efficiency and prevent the system from hydrating your yard properly. Here are three of the most common problems that affect automated sprinklers and how to smoothly resolve them.

Troubleshooting Automated Sprinkler Issues

1. Clogged Head

It’s not unusual for the head on the lawn sprinkler system to develop a layer of dirt and debris. The buildup can prevent normal water flow, which in turn impacts the health of your yard. To fix this issue, pull the sprinkler head up and wipe it down with a slightly damp cloth. In most cases, this should remove the mess efficiently enough to fix the issue. However, if there are bits of dirt and other contaminants lodged in the spigot, you’ll need to twist off the part and clean it with something stronger, like a mixture of white vinegar and warm water.

2. Controller Concerns

Automatic watering systems rely on controllers. These components can run into problems when they aren’t receiving power or when the supplied voltage is too low. Be sure that the circuit is turned on and confirm the voltage supply based on the sprinkler model. If the controller is not working in automatic mode at all, make sure that it’s switched to “auto.” If the controller works, but the timings are askew, this is a sign that the power has gone out or the timer has been disconnected. In that case, you may need to reset the timer.

3. Buzzing Sound

If you hear a buzzing noise from the sprinkler box, it could be due to a damaged pump start relay. This is the component that facilitates communication between the lawn sprinkler system’s timer and the pump itself. When it works properly, the relay supplies a connection from your breaker box to the pump’s motor. When it fails, you’ll hear a very loud sound. Hire a lawn irrigation professional to resolve this issue.

Easily improve the appearance of your lawn with a little help from the experts at Artistic Irrigation. Serving clients throughout Woodbury, CT, the lawn care professionals offer residential and commercial services including lawn irrigation and automated lawn sprinkler systems. Visit their website for more information, or give them a call at (203) 263-6622.