Are you struggling with an unsightly patch in your lawn? It may be an irrigation problem. Here at the N.C. Cooperative Extension, New Hanover County Center & Arboretum, we recently completed an annual check of all the irrigation systems on the grounds. Sprinkler systems can easily get disturbed by people, machinery, animals, or even plant roots, so it is important to check irrigation systems regularly for proper functionality.

Many times, sprinkler system fixes can be easy, but there are occasions when you may want to investigate further before committing time and money into special turf products. Irrigation systems that are not operating correctly can cause bare patches in turf, encourage weeds, and even contribute to erosion.

Let’s look at some common issues that arise when maintaining irrigation systems –

If an area of your turf is struggling, it is a good idea to turn on your irrigation system and check if any spots are not properly operating. Sometimes it is obvious, such as a broken spray nozzle, which is identifiable when a geyser of water (like the one pictured) is present. A broken spray nozzle can be damaging to turf and waste water, but by simply replacing the nozzle, you can get the sprinkler back up and running smoothly. You may also see a sprinkler head that has been knocked to one side and is spraying pressurized water into a singular spot of turf. This can be caused by intruding roots, heavy machinery, or digging animals, which can lead to a bare spot or even a hole where the soil is being eroded.

Another common issue is if the sprinkler head is not spraying any water or is spraying very little water. This can be due to a clogged nozzle, a clogged filter, or a broken pipe between the sprinkler and the water source. The nozzle and filter may need to be cleaned or replaced, but if there is a leak, it can be harder to spot. Usually, such a leak causes water to well up to the surface and may waterlog your turf. To identify this issue, walk around your yard while the sprinkler system is running and look for any pools of water that are accumulating rapidly, especially around areas of turf that seem to be struggling. Once you have found the pools of water, you should then be able to dig down and find the source of the leak.

Just as drought can be damaging to turf, too much water can be harmful too. Make sure to check your irrigation system regularly so you can identify when a faulty sprinkler head is the cause of your turf troubles.

Madeline Maynard serves as the Extension Technician at the N.C. Cooperative Extension, New Hanover County Center and Arboretum, located at 6206 Oleander Drive. For more information about irrigation systems, contact Madeline at mmaynar@ncsu.edu or 910-798-7600.