A functioning sprinkler head will control the water flow, where a broken head is going to distribute more water than it should. With all the unnecessary water settling in the lawn, it's going to lead to higher water bills – guaranteed.
A leak near one sprinkler head can lose about 225 gallons during one 15-minute watering cycle. Run three times per week, that can waste about 3,000 gallons of water per month.
Sprinkler heads can lose around 20 gallons per minute. That's 300 gallons if the zone runs for only 15 minutes. Multiply that by 2 times per week, and that's over 2,400 gallons per month for one broken sprinkler head.
However, if a sprinkler head breaks or is accidentally bumped, significant water damage may occur. With proper preparation and the right tools on hand, you can minimize property damage if a sprinkler head discharges when there's no fire.
Excessive use of water or large jumps from your normal usage can sometimes be an indication of irrigation problems. Over-watering, inappropriate scheduling, malfunctioning equipment, and broken water lines can all lead to an unnecessary overuse of water.
A sprinkler head leak is one of the most common issues in sprinkler systems. Low-head drainage is the most common reason for sprinkler head leaks. Faulty pipes are the most labor-intensive problem that causes sprinkler head leaks. Other causes of leaks include faulty sprinkler valves and broken sprinkler heads.
The average system uses approximately 15-16 gallons per minute, per station.
Sprinkler head replacement is the most common repair needed by homeowners. The typical cost of replacing broken sprinkler heads is between $60 and $110 and varies by head type and the cost of the nozzle.
Generally speaking, the life expectancy of a sprinkler system is about 20 years, on average. As for its components taken separately, good quality heads will last you anywhere between 10 to 15 years, while inexpensive ones will only be good for 2 or 3 years.
Signs Your Sprinkler Head is Broken
– Unusual Water Spray Patterns: If the water is spraying unevenly or in strange directions, the sprinkler head might be damaged or clogged. – Low Water Pressure: A noticeable drop in water pressure could indicate a leak or a clogged head.
"Gushers" are obviously an indicator that you have a broken sprinkler head, but how did it break to begin with? The primary reason for broken sprinkler heads is because the sprinkler head doesn't retract when the zone shuts off.
On average, it will take 30 minutes to get a half inch of water. So, 20 minutes, three times per week will give a lawn about an inch of water.
The average usage of water in a residential sprinkler system is between 12 – 30 gallons per minute depending on the type and size of the sprinkler head.
EVALUATIONS BY THE SEASON. According to the EPA, during hot summer months, a household's outdoor water use can be as high as 70% of its total usage and single broken sprinkler head can waste up to 25,000 gallons of water over six months.
6. Lawn Sprinkler and Irrigation Systems. If you have a lawn sprinkler and irrigation system, you should know that it's naturally going to work harder during the warm summer months. If your irrigation system isn't programmed correctly or it develops a leak, you might find your water bill creeping higher than usual.
Lawn Watering Practices
Frequent watering encourages shallow root growth and unhealthy grass. Deep, less frequent watering encourages grass roots to grow deeper into the soil reservoir from which to draw moisture. Deep roots also mean the lawn will be less affected by surface drying.
A sprinkler head is an essential component of your lawn irrigation system and its important to keep in good condition. Replacing a sprinkler head is an easy task that can be completed in about 20 minutes.
'Watering your lawn at night means the water doesn't have a chance to evaporate quickly due to lower temperatures and the absence of sunlight. This can leave your lawn damp for long periods, creating a perfect environment for fungi and other lawn diseases to thrive.
Most homeowners insurance policies do cover damage caused by accidental discharge of a sprinkler system. This means that if your sprinkler system malfunctions and causes water damage to your property, you may be covered under your insurance policy.
If the heads are corroded, rusty, or bent, you should invest in sprinkler head replacements. Not maintaining the heads effectively makes them less efficient. So, walk around and note any sprinkler heads that would benefit from being replaced.
Purchase a PVC pipe cap that is the same size as the pipe in your sprinkler system. Place the cap on the threads that the sprinkler head was screwed into. Rotate the PVC pipe cap counterclockwise to secure it onto the system. Screwing a PVC pipe cap onto your sprinkler system will turn off that specific sprinkler head.
Lots of water is wasted by poorly designed and neglected sprinkler systems that spray sidewalks, driveways, and the street. Monitoring and making simple adjustments to the sprinklers saves water and reduces runoff from the landscape, helping to keep local water bodies clean. Play "zone" defense.
Generally, spray heads use about 0.75 gpm for ¼-circle, 1.5 gpm for ½ circle, and 3.0 gpm for full-circle heads. "Rotor" style heads use 2 to 5 gpm each, for most residential applications.