A sprinkler system can run on schedule and still perform poorly. The best inspection happens while every zone is operating and you can see where the water actually lands.

1. Uneven color or growth

Green stripes beside pale areas can mean a head is blocked, tilted or using the wrong spray pattern. Watch one complete cycle and look from several angles. Plants, fences and even grass growing around a low head can interrupt coverage that appeared correct when the system was installed.

2. Water reaches pavement or runs away

Overspray and runoff waste water and can stain hard surfaces. Head alignment or a repaired nozzle may solve overspray. If water flows toward the sidewalk before a zone finishes, split the total run time into shorter cycles with a pause between them. Clay-heavy soil often accepts water slowly, while sandy soil drains more quickly.

3. Pressure changes unexpectedly

Misting, bubbling soil or a zone that suddenly runs weak may indicate a leak, damaged pipe or valve problem. Shut down the affected zone until it can be inspected. A zone that will not stop running deserves prompt attention because it can waste water and saturate the surrounding soil.

Test how evenly the system applies water

Place several straight-sided containers across one zone and run it for a measured period. A large difference between containers confirms uneven coverage even when every head appears to work. Spacing, pressure, nozzle selection, wind or an obstruction may be responsible.

One schedule does not fit every zone

Sunny turf, shaded beds, slopes and newly planted areas often need different run times. Grouping similar areas and using shorter cycles on slopes reduces runoff while helping moisture reach roots. Turf spray heads are not always suitable for shrubs and flower beds, where drip components may offer more precise delivery.

Use the controller as a tool, not a calendar

Review the controller after power interruptions and as weather changes. Look for overlapping programs that operate the same zone twice. Adjust watering for rainfall, temperature, plant establishment and seasonal growth. A system that quietly runs overnight can waste water for weeks before anyone notices.

Inspect before the hottest weather

Run every zone from start to finish. Clean blocked nozzles, straighten tilted heads and look for pooling around valves. Check emitters, exposed tubing and mulch in planted beds so water reaches the soil without washing it away. A short seasonal inspection can prevent weeks of uneven growth.

Irrigation inspection checklist

  • Run every zone and watch it completely.
  • Look for broken, sunken, tilted or blocked heads.
  • Confirm water stays off pavement and building walls.
  • Check valve boxes and soft ground for hidden leaks.
  • Compare coverage in several containers across each zone.
  • Review controller days, start times and seasonal settings.

When to schedule a repair

Call for help when a zone will not shut off, pressure changes suddenly, water bubbles from the ground or repeated adjustments still leave dry areas. CPS can inspect the system alongside the lawn and landscape so the repair supports the entire property rather than one isolated symptom.