Why Your Sprinkler System Leaks at the Start of the Season

As soon as temperatures warm up, many homeowners turn their sprinkler systems back on only to find soggy spots, low pressure, or water pooling in the yard.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Start-of-season leaks are one of the most common sprinkler issues we see, and they’re usually caused by damage that happened over the winter.

💧 Why leaks show up in the spring

During colder months, your irrigation system sits unused. Any water left in the lines can freeze, expand, and cause damage you won’t notice until everything is pressurized again.

Here are the most common causes:

🌳 Tree root intrusion (most common)

The most common issue we see is tree roots growing around sprinkler lines. Over time, roots can:

• Wrap tightly around pipes

• Put pressure on fittings

• Crush or crack the line

This damage often goes unnoticed until the system is turned back on and begins leaking underground.

❄️ Freeze damage

Even properly winterized systems can develop small cracks or weak points. When you turn the system back on, those spots can split open under pressure.

🌱 Ground movement

Soil shifts during freeze/thaw cycles. That movement can:

• Pull fittings apart

• Crack pipes

• Create stress on connections

• 
  

🔧 Worn or aging components

Over time, fittings, clamps, and pipes wear down. The start of the season is often when those weak spots finally fail.

🚩 Signs you may have a broken line underground

Not all leaks are obvious right away. Watch for:

• Wet or muddy areas in the yard

• Water bubbling up from the ground

• Sudden drop in sprinkler pressure

• Uneven coverage or dry spots

• Higher than normal water usage

👉 In many cases, the issue is happening below the surface, like the broken line shown above.

🛠️ What it takes to fix it

Repairing a sprinkler leak isn’t just patching a pipe, it’s about finding the exact problem and fixing it correctly.

A typical repair includes:

1. Locating the leak (sometimes not where you expect)

2. Careful excavation to expose the damaged section

3. Cutting back or removing tree roots that are causing pressure or damage

4. Removing the broken pipe or fitting

5. Installing a proper repair connection

6. Testing the system to ensure everything is running correctly

Once repaired, your system should return to normal pressure and coverage.

🌱 Why early repairs matter

Ignoring a leak can lead to:

• Water waste

• Lawn damage

• Increased utility bills

• Larger, more expensive repairs later

Getting ahead of it early in the season keeps your lawn healthy and your system running efficiently.

📅 Start the season off right

If you’re turning your sprinklers on and noticing any issues, it’s a good time to have your system checked.

Broken lines, hidden leaks, and pressure problems are all fixable—and catching them early makes a big difference.

📞 Need help with your sprinkler system?

If your system isn’t performing the way it should this season, we’re here to help.

Give us a call at (208) 490-6713 or send in a work request online to get on the schedule and get your sprinkler system back up and running 💧