Sprinkler Repair: Diagnose Problems, Understand Costs & Find Local Help
Sprinkler problem? Let’s figure out what’s wrong.
Describe what your sprinkler system is doing. We'll help identify likely causes, common repairs, and what to do next.
- Step-by-step symptom checker
- Typical repair cost ranges
- Safety checks first
What’s your sprinkler doing?
Pick the closest match. We’ll walk you through the likely causes.
- Nothing is workingMy entire sprinkler system will not run.
- One zone isn’t workingMost of the system works, but one area does not.
- Sprinklers won’t shut offWater keeps running when it shouldn’t.
- I have a leakI see water, bubbling, pooling, or an unusually wet area.
- A sprinkler head isn’t working correctlyA head is broken, clogged, tilted, leaking, or not spraying correctly.
- Water pressure seems lowHeads are weak, aren’t popping up, or aren’t reaching far enough.
- My controller or timer isn’t working correctlyThe schedule, display, Wi-Fi, or controller operation seems wrong.
- I think it’s electrical or wiring relatedI see a fault message, zones only work manually, or wires may have been damaged.
- My yard is watering unevenlyI have dry spots, wet areas, runoff, or poor coverage.
- My water bill is high / I’m not sure what’s wrongSomething seems wrong, but I cannot identify the problem.
Water won’t stop? Shut off the irrigation supply first. Emergency: stop the water
How it works
Not sure what's wrong?
Answer a few simple questions about what your sprinkler system is doing.
- Tell us what you see. Nothing working, one zone, a leak, low pressure, the controller and more.
- Answer a quick follow-up. Simple yes/no checks narrow the likely cause.
- See likely repairs and costs. Then decide: DIY check or call a pro.
Common problems
Browse by problem
Start from what you can see in the yard.
Broken sprinkler headsGeysers, heads that won’t pop up, cracked risers.
Leaks and soggy spotsStanding water, wet areas, water bubbling up.
System won’t turn onPower, GFCI, transformer and supply checks.
Zone won’t shut offA valve stuck open or extra start times.
Controller and timerBlank screens, wrong schedules, zones skipped.
Dry spots and brown patchesCoverage gaps, misaligned heads, run times.
Low water pressureWeak spray, misting, heads that barely rise.
High water billSlow underground leaks and seeping valves.
Repair costs
How much should sprinkler repair cost?
Most sprinkler repair jobs fall somewhere between approximately $150 and $500. Simple repairs may cost less; underground, electrical, valve or backflow repairs can cost considerably more. Prices vary by location and system. The chart below reads each figure from the matching cost guide.
| Symptom | Usually caused by | Typical cost range | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nothing is working | Tripped GFCI or breaker, failed transformer, irrigation supply shut off | $75–$175Sprinkler diagnostic visit | DiagnoseFind a pro |
| One zone isn’t working | Failed valve solenoid, valve not opening, damaged field wire | $100–$250Replace one sprinkler solenoid | DiagnoseFind a pro |
| Sprinklers won’t shut off | Debris or a damaged diaphragm holding a valve open; extra start times | $125–$225Standard valve replacement | DiagnoseFind a pro |
| I have a leak | Cracked head or riser, broken lateral line, leaking valve | $150–$300Small lateral-line leak | DiagnoseFind a pro |
| A sprinkler head isn’t working correctly | Clogged nozzle or stem, broken head, failed rotor gear | $125–$275Single sprinkler head service visit | DiagnoseFind a pro |
| Water pressure seems low | Clogged nozzle, leak in the zone pipe, partly closed shutoff | $75–$150Standard residential inspection | DiagnoseFind a pro |
| My controller or timer isn’t working correctly | Programming (extra start times), backup battery, controller fault | $250–$450Basic controller replacement | DiagnoseFind a pro |
| I think it’s electrical or wiring related | Failed solenoid, broken station wire, common-wire failure | $125–$250Repair damaged valve wire | DiagnoseFind a pro |
| My yard is watering unevenly | Head spacing or alignment, run times, runoff on heavy soil | $40–$75Basic sprinkler system check | DiagnoseFind a pro |
| My water bill is high / I’m not sure what’s wrong | Slow underground leak, seeping valve, run times too long | $100–$300+Underground leak diagnosis | DiagnoseFind a pro |
Prices vary. Typical estimated market ranges, not quotes. Actual pricing depends on your location, access, system condition, parts and labor. See All Repair Costs
Know the parts
What’s in a sprinkler system
Most sprinkler repairs involve one of these components.
Pop-up spray headsRise when the zone pressurises and spray a fixed pattern.
Rotor and impact headsTurn a stream back and forth to cover larger areas.
Zone valves and wiringThe controller powers a solenoid, which opens the valve.
Drip linesLow-flow tubing with emitters for beds and shrubs.
Backflow preventersKeep irrigation water from flowing back into the supply.
Built around real sprinkler repair experience
The information on SprinklerRepair.com comes from hands-on irrigation repair work in the field, not generic lawn-care content. Every guide is written to help you understand what's actually wrong before you pay for a repair.
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