While people catch indoor leaks easily, outdoor leaks go unnoticed for longer periods of time. Undetected leaks in your irrigation system can prove to be costly and detrimental to the structure of your house.  In addition, there is a high chance that these leaks may hamper the components of the building and enhance the growth of molds and other allergens. That is why it is imperative to learn how to detect a leak in your irrigation system. In this article, we talk about three ways to see if you have a leak in your irrigation system in Seattle. 

#1 Clues that indicate water leakage: 

The first clue that will hint towards a possible leak is the landscape of your lawn. Muddy, sunken areas in a portion of your garden can be a major indicator of an irrigation system leak. Here are some other warning signs that may indicate a possible leak:

  • Bright green patch of grass
  • Wet spots
  • Soggy Ground
  • Pools of Water
  • Mushrooms growing in patches
  • Your sidewalks are always wet
  • Brown grass areas
  • An unexplained rise in the water bill 

 Now that you know there can be a possible leak in your irrigation system, you should check the irrigation controller, sprinkler valves, and sprinklers – or call in the professionals at Advanced Irrigation to check it for you. 

#2 Checking for leaks:

 Irrigation controllers do not normally tend to leak water; however, they are responsible for instructing sprinkler valves when and how long to discharge water. Make sure that the programming in the irrigation control is okay. There are instances where the programming may operate on default and run for extended periods of time, ultimately raising your water bill.

The next step is to examine each of your sprinkler valves. Remember that these sprinkler valves are not meant to be flooded. If they are wet, you should thoroughly inspect them for a broken/damaged component. When you find such a problematic sprinkler valve box, you should place alert flags so you can return to it later after the whole assessment is over. 

After testing the controller and the valves, it is time to inspect the sprinklers. If you have a large lawn, you might need assistance with this. In case you are doing it alone, manually turn on each zone and look for any of the following:

  • Dirty water coming from the sprinkler
  • Pop-up Sprinklers not completely extending
  • Sprinklers shooting or spraying little water
  • Pop-up sprinklers leaking
  • Water geysers from sprinklers. 
  • Water bubbling up between sprinkler heads
  • Pools of water at the base of sprinklers. 

 These indicators can point to a leak and may hamper the efficiency of your irrigation system. (Learn more on improving efficiency here) Make sure to place alert flags if you detect any of the following in the sprinklers. You must come to all alert flags once your assessment is finished. 

 

#3 Leak Detection Tools: 

Still not able to find the problem? Then you can look towards leak detection tools as a last resort. Although these detection tools are quite accurate, they are expensive and difficult to operate. Here are some of the tools that can help you:

  • Water leak Microphone: These devices help to identify and amplify the leaks in pressurized pipes.
  • Leak Noise Logger: These devices have similar functionality. They are planted in different areas of the yard to monitor the noise levels of the pipes. Leaks can be detected by changes and recognizable patterns in sound, including those that would otherwise go entirely unreported.
  • Visual Inspection Equipment: Video pipe inspection technology can also be used for the accurate detection of leaks. Drain, wastewater, and ventilation line interiors may be visually inspected using cameras and monitors for pipe inspection with the help of this. 

 

Conclusion

Detecting a water leak early can not only save you water bill costs but also cause serious harm to your building’s construction. The above steps are easier said than done. It would require patience and perseverance to find out the leak in your irrigation system on your own. However, if you follow the above steps, you will certainly be able to identify the leak and prevent all the harm that comes with it. 

 

If you have a beautiful lawn that needs proper care and nurturing, make sure to check out our Advanced Irrigation Service Programs.