There are two reasons why a sprinkler will leak water when the system is supposed to be off.
Water sprinkler system leaking.
If your water bill jumps and you don t know why you likely have a leak.
Is it possible that there is a leak in the pipe s going to the valves.
You might even see water seeping up or fountaining between sprinkler heads indicating an underground pipe leak.
Look for sprinkler heads that don t spray properly or have low water flow.
If you can t see immediate issues check to see if water is spraying from the base of sprinkler heads if there is pooling water around the sprinkler head or if the sprinkler system is leaking when off.
The most common reason is called low head drainage.
This article explains the why wet spots or slow leakage comes out of sprinklers when system is off the goal of an irrigation system is to evenly apply.
The nozzles on sprinkler heads may spray in an uneven.
These are the most common signs that your sprinkler system has a leak.
The leak may be at one or more of the sprinkler heads in the zone.
Spike in your water bill.
Tools include water leak microphones sensory rods you wave over the ground that enhance the sounds of water gushing through pipes and electrical acoustic kits.
That doesn t mean it s in your sprinkler system but if you re sure you don t have a leaky faucet or running toilet the sprinklers are a likely source of the issue.
With the irrigation valve on water runs through my main pipes to the valves and if the valves are operating correctly water does not go to the sprinklers.
In the typical system a water supply pipe from the main water source first passes into a valve box set at ground level where it is divided into individual underground irrigation zones each controlled by its own zone valve.
If it is low head drainage residual water will stop flowing after.
An in ground lawn sprinkler system consists of several key components.
Low head drainage occurs when the lowest head on a zone allows water to drain from the lateral piping out of the sprinkler.
Water may pool in lower areas and form mold and mildew that kills your lawn.
The second reason that a sprinkler system could leak when off is that the valve for the whole zone is leaking and allowing new water into the system.
This type of leak creates a steady small trickle that does not stop.
All my boxes are dry and there is no indication of leaking at the sprinkler heads or soggy ground.
A sprinkler system line that sprays dirty water signs of animal damage or digging that could cause a leak.
How lawn sprinkler systems work.
A leaking irrigation system can lead to many lawn problems.