Sprinkler System Does Not Pop up

Sand Damage

• Small bits of sand or dirt can become lodged between the spray riser and the sprinkler body. When this happens, the sand can rub on the plastic every time the riser extends or retracts. Over time, this can scar the plastic to the point that it will no longer allow the pop-up head to rise. The only way to fix this is to replace the entire sprinkler assembly by unscrewing the old one and screwing in a new unit. Sandpaper will not work, but rather will lead to worse damage.

Partial Valve Position

• Sprinklers rely on a series of control valves to regulate the flow of water. Sometimes these valves may not be turned on all the way, leading to a loss of pressure. Open the control box on your sprinkler manifold, and ensure that each of the black solenoids on top of the control valves is screwed in tightly. Any slack in the solenoid can lead to reduced pressure and stuck sprinkler heads.

Damaged Heads

• If a sprinkler head gets run over by the car or lawnmower, it can be severely damaged to the point that the supply tube will no longer pop up. If you see signs of damage to the top of a sprinkler, such as ground plastic or bent tubes, you will likely have to replace the entire sprinkler. Damaged heads can also lead to leaks underground. When you are replacing the sprinkler assembly, inspect the connection point carefully for signs of cracks.

Reduced Water Pressure

• Water pressure can drop suddenly for a few reasons. The most common explanation is that your municipality is performing maintenance on the line. In that case, the drop will be temporary. Other causes include too many water-using appliances on the line running at once or new construction in the area that is siphoning off water pressure due to the increased demand. In extreme cases, you may need to have a qualified plumber install a water pump to increase water pressure to your sprinklers.