How to Troubleshoot Home Sprinkler Irrigation Systems

Technical

• 1

  Turn the irrigation controller dial to "Auto" or "Run" if the system doesn't turn on or activate when scheduled. Some controllers feature only buttons and no dial, in which case you should press the buttons necessary to enable the programming.

• 2

  Turn the dial or press the button to access the watering start times settings if the controller is enabled but the system doesn't activate. Confirm that the watering start times are set for each program or sprinkler area. If there is no set watering time, use the keypad to enter a start time into the system.

• 3

  Locate and press the controller's reset button if the display is partially lit or blank. The system might have experienced an electronic surge or lightning strike. After the reset button is pressed, the system should return to normal. If the controller doesn't respond to the reset, the controller is damaged and needs to be fixed or replaced.

Mechanical

• 4

  Insert the supplied sprinkler tool into the pull-up slot on top of the sprinkler head and twist it about a quarter of a turn to raise the spray head if the water stream is stunted or blocked. A stunted stream might mean a blocked or damaged nozzle, which requires either changing or cleaning.

• 5

  Insert the supplied tool into the radius adjustment slot or the stream adjustment slot on top of the sprinkler spray head and twist the screw counterclockwise or to the left to loosen the nozzle.

• 6

  Remove the nozzle and inspect it for debris. Remove any debris with water, air and your fingers. If the nozzle is busted, insert a new nozzle into the nozzle slot and twist the radius adjustment screw clockwise to fasten the nozzle into place.

• 7

  Insert the supplied sprinkler adjustment tool into the arc or rotation range adjustment slot if the sprinkler is overshooting the lawn and watering unnecessary areas like pavement or a wall. Twist the tool counterclockwise to shorten the rotation range from the non-fixed side of the sprinkler.

• 8

  Dig up the sprinkler housing and reposition the housing until the non-adjustable side is even with its corresponding side of the lawn if the sprinkler is overshooting from the non-adjustable side of the sprinkler.