Sprinkler System Leaks in Arlington: Signs and How to Find Them

Sprinkler systems are one of the most common sources of hidden water loss in Arlington yards. A cracked pipe, a broken head or a leaking valve can waste water every time the system runs, or all day long. Soggy spots, weak spray and a high summer bill are the main signs. Need help finding it? Call (817) 285-5426 for outdoor and irrigation leak detection.

What are the signs of a sprinkler leak?

The most common sprinkler leak signs are soggy or muddy spots that stay wet, patches of grass that are much greener than the rest, weak or uneven spray from some heads, water bubbling up around a head, and a water bill that jumps in summer. Water running down the curb on non-watering days is another clue.

• Soggy spots that stay wet
• Extra-green or extra-tall grass
• Weak or uneven spray
• Water bubbling at a head
• Water on the curb or street
• Sunken soil along a line
• A zone that will not shut off
• Higher summer water bill

What causes sprinkler leaks in Arlington yards?

Most sprinkler leaks come from cracked lateral lines, broken heads, worn valve seals and damaged backflow preventers. Arlington's clay soil shifts with rain and drought, which stresses buried PVC. Mowers, edgers, tree roots and hard freezes add damage. A valve that sticks open can leak even when the system is off.

The backflow preventer near the house is easy to forget. It sits above ground, so a hard freeze can crack it. See our guide to preventing frozen pipes for winter care.

How do you test a sprinkler system for leaks?

Turn off all indoor water and check the water meter. Then shut off the irrigation system at its own valve or backflow preventer and check again. If the meter stops when irrigation is off, the leak is in the sprinkler system. Next, run each zone and walk it, looking for broken heads and bubbling soil.

1. Turn off all water in the house and note the meter.
2. Close the irrigation shut-off and watch the meter again.
3. Run one zone at a time for a few minutes.
4. Walk each zone and look for geysers, puddles or weak heads.
5. Check the valve box for standing water or a hissing valve.

If the meter keeps moving with irrigation closed, the leak is somewhere else. Read our guide to underground water line leaks.

How do pros find a buried irrigation leak?

For leaks that do not show on the surface, a technician pressure tests each zone or main line to confirm which one is losing water. A pipe locator traces the buried line, and acoustic ground microphones listen for escaping water. This pinpoints the spot so only one small hole is dug.

Learn more about the tools in how leak detection works.

Main line or sprinkler line: why does it matter?

The main line runs from the meter to your house and is under pressure all the time, so a leak never stops. Sprinkler laterals only hold pressure while a zone runs. The irrigation main line before the zone valves stays pressurized, though, so it can leak around the clock like your house line.

Knowing which line is leaking tells you how urgent it is and which repair you need.

How much does it cost to find an irrigation leak?

Basic leak detection in Arlington usually costs about $150 to $400, and water line leak detection about $200 to $500. Simple fixes, like replacing a broken head, cost much less than repairing a buried main. You get a clear price before any work begins.

See our full leak detection cost table.

How can you prevent sprinkler leaks?

Walk each zone once a month while it runs, replace broken heads right away, keep mowers and edgers away from heads, protect the backflow preventer in winter, and check your water bill against the same month last year. A sudden jump is often the first sign of an irrigation leak.