Why yard leaks get missed
Many Fullerton yards have buried sprinkler lines, valve manifolds and a backflow device near the house. A cracked pipe or a valve that never fully closes can let water run day and night, and because the lawn is watered anyway, nobody notices until the bill arrives.
Some leaks only happen while a zone is running, such as a broken head or a split pipe downstream of a valve. Others happen all the time, such as a leak on the main line feeding the valves. The meter test tells you which kind you have.
Check the system in order
- Turn the controller off.Set it to off, not rain delay, so no zone starts during the test.
- Watch the meter.With the house fixtures off, see whether the meter moves.
- Shut the irrigation supply.Close the valve that feeds the sprinkler system, often near the backflow device. If the meter stops, the leak is on the irrigation side.
- Inspect valve boxes.Lift the lids. Water filling a box or a valve that hisses suggests a leaking or stuck valve.
- Run each zone.Run zones one at a time and walk them. Look for geysers, weak heads, pooling or water bubbling from the ground.
- Look for patterns.A line of extra-green grass or a soft strip often follows a leaking pipe.
Common irrigation problems
| Problem | When it leaks | What you notice |
|---|---|---|
| Cracked main line before the valves | All the time | Meter moves with controller off; soggy area near valves |
| Valve that will not close | All the time, into one zone | One zone's heads weep or a low spot stays wet |
| Broken head or riser | Only while that zone runs | Geyser or puddle during watering |
| Split lateral pipe | Only while that zone runs | Bubbling soil, low pressure at heads past the break |
| Drip line damage | While the drip zone runs | Wet spots or washed-out mulch |
Quick reference
- First test
- Meter with controller off
- Isolating valve
- Irrigation supply, often near the backflow device
- Constant leak
- Main line or stuck valve
- Leak only when running
- Head, riser or lateral pipe
Who to call
Some irrigation repairs are straightforward for a handy homeowner, such as replacing a head. Leaks on the pressurized main line, backflow device problems or valve manifolds are often handled by a licensed plumber or landscape irrigation contractor. Backflow devices may also have testing requirements; check with the city for what applies to your property.
Common questions
Can an irrigation leak raise my bill even if the yard looks normal?
Yes. Water from a buried leak can drain into the soil without surfacing, especially in sandy areas or near slopes.
Should I leave the irrigation supply off until it is fixed?
If the leak is on the main line before the valves, closing the irrigation supply stops the waste. Water plants by hand in the meantime.
Is the backflow device part of the irrigation system?
It protects the drinking water supply from irrigation water flowing back. If it leaks or drips, have a qualified professional look at it.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.