May 9, 2025
How to Know When It’s Time to Repair Your Irrigation System
In San Antonio, a working irrigation system isn’t a luxury—it’s essential. Between long, dry summers and strict water regulations, a damaged sprinkler system can quickly lead to brown patches, high water bills, and costly landscape damage.
Whether you’re a homeowner, HOA board member, or commercial property manager, catching small irrigation issues early can save you time and money. Below, we break down five key signs your system may need professional repair—and how Design Scapes can help you fix it right the first time.
1. Uneven Watering or Dry Zones
One of the most obvious signs of irrigation failure is inconsistent coverage. If you notice parts of your lawn are staying dry while others are soaked, it’s time to investigate.
Common causes include:
Clogged or misaligned sprinkler heads
Low pressure in one or more zones
Broken drip lines or emitters
These issues may seem small but can lead to dead grass, wasted water, and plant stress. Our team inspects each zone to identify and correct coverage issues before they affect your landscape.
2. Sudden Spike in Your Water Bill
If your monthly water bill jumps and your usage habits haven’t changed, your irrigation system could be the culprit. Hidden leaks, constantly running valves, or faulty wiring can cause water to run overnight—or all day—without you noticing.
Pro tip: San Antonio Water System (SAWS) offers water usage insights through their My Account Portal. If you see unusual usage patterns, call us for a system check.
3. Sprinkler Heads Aren’t Popping Up
Pop-up sprinkler heads are designed to retract after watering and rise again when activated. If one or more heads remain stuck, partially extended, or won’t rise at all, it could signal:
Dirt/debris inside the stem
Broken internal seals
Water pressure issues
Ignoring this leads to dry patches, trip hazards, and long-term equipment damage.
👉 Learn about our Irrigation System Installations and upgrades.
4. Water Pooling or Runoff
Pooling water around a sprinkler, valve box, or along sidewalks isn’t just wasteful—it can damage plant roots, erode soil, and violate city watering rules.
Common causes include:
Underground pipe leaks
Overwatering from controller settings
Broken seals or gaskets
Our irrigation repair team in San Antonio uses pressure testing and inspection tools to identify hidden leaks fast—before they lead to serious repairs or citations.
5. Controller Malfunctions or Zones Not Activating
Today’s smart controllers should run smoothly—automatically adjusting based on time, weather, and watering schedules. If your timer fails to start zones, skips days, or displays error codes, it may need to be reset, reprogrammed, or replaced.
We repair:
Controller wiring and voltage issues
Faulty solenoids and valves
Outdated analog or damaged digital timers
If your system still runs on outdated tech, we can help you upgrade to a smart, water-efficient controller that follows San Antonio’s seasonal watering restrictions.
When to Call a Professional
Some repairs—like replacing a spray head or cleaning a filter—are DIY-friendly. But most problems require a trained technician with the right tools and experience. At Design Scapes, our licensed team is familiar with:
San Antonio building codes
SAWS guidelines
City watering schedules
Local climate and soil types
We don’t just fix the issue—we assess the full system and ensure it’s optimized for efficiency, compliance, and long-term reliability.
What to Expect During a Repair Visit
When you contact Design Scapes for irrigation repair, we’ll:
Schedule a convenient service window
Inspect all zones and components
Identify and explain any issues
Provide on-the-spot repairs or a detailed quote
Test and adjust for proper function
We also offer ongoing seasonal maintenance plans to help prevent future breakdowns.
👉Contact us now to Schedule a Service Visit
👉View more Landscaping and Irrigation Projects
Call Before It Gets Worse
If you’ve noticed any of the signs listed above, don’t wait until it becomes a bigger problem. Our team at Design Scapes is ready to inspect, repair, and optimize your irrigation system—keeping your landscape healthy and your water bills low.
📞 Call us at (210) 897 3440 or fill out our request form today.