Signs Your Sprinkler System Needs a Tune-Up

Your sprinkler system plays a crucial role in keeping your lawn healthy and green—but like any mechanical system, it needs regular attention to keep performing its best. Over time, even a well-installed irrigation system can develop issues that waste water, increase your utility bills, and leave parts of your lawn brown or soggy. If you're noticing problems with your landscaping in Ogden or nearby areas, it might be time for a sprinkler system tune-up.

Why sprinkler systems need regular maintenance

A professionally installed sprinkler system is one of the best ways to maintain a lush, healthy lawn—but it’s not a “set-it-and-forget-it” feature. Like any other part of your home’s infrastructure, it requires regular attention to function efficiently. Over time, various factors can reduce your system’s performance or cause it to break down entirely.

Here are just a few of the reasons regular maintenance is essential:

• • Seasonal changes: In Northern Utah, freezing winter temperatures and hot, dry summers create stress on sprinkler components. Pipes can contract or expand, valves can crack, and seals can wear out.
  • Shifting soil: Natural settling, foot traffic, or landscape changes can cause sprinkler heads to tilt, sink, or become buried. This misalignment leads to uneven water coverage and inefficient watering.
  • Wear and tear: Like any mechanical system, parts wear out over time. Sprinkler heads get clogged with dirt or lawn debris, nozzles degrade, and electronic controllers can malfunction or become outdated.
  • Accidental damage: Lawn mowers, edgers, pets, and even kids playing in the yard can damage sprinkler heads or underground pipes. What starts as a small bump can turn into a major issue if left unchecked.

Regular tune-ups from S&S Sprinklers & Landscaping ensure your system stays in peak working condition. Here's how they help:

• • Prevent water waste and high utility bills
    A single broken sprinkler head or a leaking underground pipe can waste hundreds of gallons of water each week. Routine maintenance catches these issues early, helping you avoid unnecessary costs.
  • Ensure even water coverage
    Uneven coverage can leave some areas of your yard dry while others are overwatered. We adjust and align your heads, check pressure, and make sure every corner of your landscape receives the water it needs.
  • Extend the life of your sprinkler system
    Just like servicing a vehicle extends its lifespan, regular maintenance protects your investment. Replacing worn parts before they fail prevents more serious (and expensive) problems later.
  • Promote healthier lawns and gardens
    Plants, grass, and trees rely on consistent watering to thrive. A tuned-up system keeps everything hydrated at the right time of day and in the right amount—no more scorched turf or soggy beds.
  • Avoid major repairs
    Many costly sprinkler repairs start with small, easily fixed issues. A cracked seal or partially clogged nozzle can escalate into system-wide failure if ignored. Routine service visits catch these problems early.

If you’re not sure whether your sprinkler system is due for maintenance, keep reading—we’ll walk you through the top warning signs that it’s time for a tune-up.

Common signs your sprinkler system needs a tune-up

A well-maintained sprinkler system should keep your entire landscape evenly watered without wasting a drop. But if you’ve noticed dry patches, soggy spots, or sky-high water bills, it may be time for a professional tune-up from S&S Sprinklers & Landscaping. Below are the most common signs that your sprinkler system is no longer running at its best—and what might be causing the problem.

Dry spots or patchy lawn growth

One of the most obvious signs of sprinkler trouble is when parts of your lawn stay dry, even after watering.

You may notice:

• • Areas that stay dry while the rest of the lawn is wet
  • Grass that appears brown, brittle, or stunted in certain patches
  • Uneven lawn growth between different sections of your yard

These issues are typically caused by:

• • Clogged nozzles that prevent full spray coverage
  • Misaligned or tilted heads that spray the wrong direction
  • Damaged valves or zone failures that cut off water flow to specific areas

Even a small obstruction or misalignment can have a big impact on your lawn’s health and appearance. A system-wide inspection can help pinpoint and fix the issue.

Overwatering or soggy areas

If parts of your lawn are consistently soaked or squishy underfoot, it’s a red flag that your system may be overwatering certain zones.

Signs include:

• • Puddles or standing water after each cycle
  • Mushy areas that never fully dry out
  • Yellowing or fungal growth in overwatered patches

Possible causes include:

• • Stuck valves that won’t shut off properly
  • Improper nozzle types or coverage settings
  • Overly frequent watering schedules programmed into the controller

Overwatering wastes water and creates a breeding ground for disease and pests. Our team at S&S Sprinklers & Landscaping can adjust your watering schedule, valve functions, and nozzle layout to prevent these issues.

Inconsistent water pressure

Low or fluctuating pressure can cause your sprinklers to underperform.

Look for:

• • Sprinklers that barely spray or produce a fine mist
  • Heads that only partially pop up or don’t rotate correctly
  • Some zones appearing much weaker than others

These pressure issues are often related to:

• • Partially closed valves restricting flow
  • Leaks in underground lines reducing overall pressure
  • Clogged filters or nozzles from debris and mineral buildup

Left unchecked, poor pressure can drastically reduce system efficiency and lawn coverage.

Sprinkler heads not popping up or retracting

Sprinkler heads that get stuck either above ground or below the surface create several problems, including uneven watering, trip hazards, and damage from lawnmowers.

This can happen due to:

• • Grass or dirt buildup around the sprinkler head
  • Broken risers or damaged seals
  • Worn springs inside the sprinkler housing

During routine tune-ups, S&S Sprinklers & Landscaping cleans, repairs, or replaces any non-functioning heads to keep your system running smoothly.

High water bills with no explanation

Have your water bills crept up lately, even though you haven’t changed your watering habits? A hidden leak could be silently draining both water and money.

Signs of a hidden sprinkler leak include:

• • A water meter that continues spinning when all faucets are off
  • Unusually green grass or soggy ground in one part of the yard
  • Moisture, mold, or mildew around valve boxes or along irrigation lines

Underground leaks can be hard to spot without professional tools. That’s why we offer full sprinkler system audits to detect leaks, pressure issues, and inefficiencies.

Timer or controller issues

Even if your system looks fine on the surface, problems with the controller can throw everything off.

Watch for:

• • Zones not turning on or off as scheduled
  • Programs resetting or failing to save properly
  • A complete lack of response from the system

Outdated or faulty controllers can lead to irregular watering and poor performance. Upgrading to a smart irrigation controller can help adjust watering times based on local weather and ensure your yard gets exactly what it needs—no more, no less.

Sprinkler heads spraying sidewalks, fences, or buildings

If your sprinkler heads are spraying in the wrong direction, not only are you wasting water, but you could be causing damage to fences, foundations, or driveways.

Common causes include:

• • Misaligned heads that have been bumped or shifted
  • Incorrect nozzle types used for your landscape layout
  • Settling soil that changes the spray angle over time

Realigning or upgrading these heads is a quick fix during a tune-up and can dramatically improve water efficiency and coverage.

What’s included in a professional sprinkler tune-up?

When you schedule a tune-up with S&S Sprinklers & Landscaping, we provide a comprehensive service that includes:

• • Inspection of all sprinkler heads, valves, and zones
  • Adjustments to improve water distribution and efficiency
  • Replacement of damaged or worn components
  • Pressure testing and leak checks
  • Timer programming and controller upgrades (if needed)

We’ll also walk you through how your system is performing and make recommendations for future improvements.

When to schedule a tune-up in Northern Utah

The best times to schedule a sprinkler system tune-up are:

• • Early spring – Before you start watering regularly, ensure your system is ready for the season
  • Mid-summer – A checkup during peak usage helps avoid mid-season failures
  • Fall blowout – As part of winterization, we inspect and shut down your system to prevent freeze damage

Whether you're in Ogden, Roy, Layton, or nearby, our team is ready to help you keep your system in peak condition.

Proudly serving Northern Utah

S&S Sprinklers & Landscaping provides expert sprinkler services throughout Northern Utah, including:

• • Ogden
  • Roy
  • Layton
  • Clinton
  • Clearfield
  • Riverdale
  • Pleasant View
  • Other surrounding areas

Let us help keep your sprinkler system running right

If you’re seeing signs of sprinkler trouble, don’t wait until the damage gets worse. A professional tune-up can save you water, money, and frustration.

Call S&S Sprinklers & Landscaping today or request a free estimate online. We’ll make sure your system is ready to deliver healthy, efficient watering all season long—wherever you are in Northern Utah.