April is a good checkpoint for irrigation leaks before you settle into a summer watering routine. Some problems are obvious while a zone runs. Others show up between cycles. A few careful observations can give an irrigation professional a much clearer starting point than “the yard seems wet.”
Look during and after watering
Watch for broken heads, unusual pooling, or water escaping around sprinkler connections. Walk the area again when the system has been off. EPA WaterSense identifies persistent surface pooling between cycles as a possible sign of an underground leak. A valve that does not close completely may also allow seepage while scheduled watering is off.
A wet patch alone does not locate the problem. Note whether it appears after rain, during one particular zone, or even when irrigation has not run. Photos taken from the same spot can help show the pattern.
Check the water-use clues
An unexplained increase in water use deserves investigation, but it does not prove the irrigation system is responsible. Review changes in watering and household use alongside the bill.
For a property with an accessible water meter, EPA suggests comparing readings across a two-hour period with no water use. Account for automatic equipment that may run during that window. Movement can point to a leak somewhere on the metered system; it does not identify which pipe, fixture, or irrigation component is involved.
Bring the right details to a service request
Write down the affected zone, the location of the wet area, and when you first noticed it. Include any recent digging or landscaping work. Avoid repeatedly running a visibly broken zone just to reproduce the problem.
If water continues flowing after you turn the controller off, explain that specifically. Stopping a schedule and stopping the water supply are different steps. Ask for guidance if you are unsure which irrigation shutoff is yours.
Seeing a recurring wet spot or a damaged sprinkler? Contact AquaSano with your observations to request irrigation service. Request Service →