Resources
Every published diagnostic and repair guide from FixMyIrrigation.com, organised by topic. Pick a category, browse the available articles, and follow the steps written by irrigation professionals.
Diagnostics
Controllers
- Irrigation Controller Not Running a ProgramFree step-by-step guide to diagnosing an irrigation controller that will not run a program — timer faults, wiring faults, and power supply failures.
- Smart Irrigation Controller Not ProgrammingFree step-by-step guide to diagnosing a smart irrigation controller that will not program — WiFi connectivity failures, schedule sync issues, and app pairing problems.
- Sprinkler Controller Won't Turn OnFree step-by-step guide to diagnosing a sprinkler controller that won't turn on — dead outlet, tripped GFCI, blown transformer, failed backup battery / surge damage, and bad wiring at the controller box.
Heads & Sprinklers
- Sprinkler Head Leaking at the BaseFree step-by-step guide to diagnosing a sprinkler head leaking at the base — failed base seal, worn O-ring, impact damage, and over-torqued installation.
- Sprinkler Head Low Flow / Clogged — DiagnosticsFree step-by-step guide to diagnosing a sprinkler head with low flow or clogged output — symptom ID, debris/clog inspection, filter-screen check, static vs. dynamic pressure test, and nozzle-vs-head failure triage.
- Sprinkler Head Not Popping UpFree step-by-step guide to diagnosing why a sprinkler head won't pop up — low pressure, clogged nozzle, broken spring, damaged riser seal, and valve flow issues.
- Sprinkler Head Won't Pop UpFree step-by-step guide to diagnosing a sprinkler head that won't pop up — spring failure, debris blockage, riser damage, and freeze damage.
Leaks
- Backflow Preventer DiagnosticsFree step-by-step guide to diagnosing backflow preventer failures in irrigation systems — symptoms, causes, and when to repair vs. replace.
- Backflow Preventer Failing Its Annual Test — DiagnosticsFree step-by-step guide to diagnosing why a backflow preventer is failing its annual test — leaking RPZ, stuck check valve, cracked bonnet, and freeze damage.
- Broken Irrigation Pipe / Lateral Leak — DiagnosticsFree step-by-step guide to diagnosing a broken underground irrigation pipe or lateral leak — symptom confirmation, pressure decay test, acoustic pinpointing, and excavation-free location methods.
- Broken Sprinkler Lateral Line Leak — DiagnosticsFree step-by-step guide to diagnosing a broken sprinkler lateral line leak — symptom confirmation (soggy zones, pressure drop, wet patches between heads), zone isolation, static vs dynamic pressure test, pump-down localization, and excavation triage.
- Sprinkler Wiring Short / Decoder Fault — DiagnosticsFree step-by-step guide to diagnosing a sprinkler wiring short or decoder fault — symptom ID (zone will not fire, controller error codes, tripped breaker), multimeter wire continuity test, short isolation by zone, decoder vs direct-wire triage.
- Sprinkler Zone Not Turning On — DiagnosticsFree step-by-step guide to diagnosing a sprinkler zone that won’t turn on — electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic triage; field-wire continuity, solenoid resistance, manual bleed test, controller output voltage, diaphragm inspection, and shared-zone comparative test.
- Wet Spots Between Watering CyclesFree step-by-step guide to diagnosing persistent wet spots that appear between irrigation cycles — valve bleed, lateral-line leaks, and scheduling faults.
Valves
- Sprinkler Valve Won't Open (Stuck Closed)Free step-by-step guide to diagnosing a sprinkler valve that won't open — electrical faults, solenoid failure, diaphragm blockage, and pressure issues.
- Sprinkler Valve Won't Shut Off (Stuck Open) — DiagnosticsFree step-by-step guide to diagnosing a sprinkler valve that is stuck open and will not shut off — symptom check, isolation, valve-location, solenoid-vs-diaphragm path, and manifold-vs-zone split.
- Why Is My Sprinkler Valve Not Turning OnFree step-by-step guide to diagnosing why a sprinkler valve won't turn on — electrical faults, solenoid failure, debris, wiring, and controller issues.
Winterization
- Irrigation System Winterization — Diagnostic GuideFree step-by-step guide to winterizing your irrigation system — blow-out vs. drain method selection, pre-winter inspection checklist, and valve isolation steps.
- Why Is My Winterization Failing — DiagnosticsFree step-by-step guide to diagnosing a winterization that failed — blow-out not clearing zones, freeze damage after blow-out, manual vs. auto drain, backflow plug won't budge, compressor undersized for the pipe.
Repair Library
Controllers
- Fix a Sprinkler Controller That Won't Turn OnPremium repair procedures for a sprinkler controller that won't turn on — multimeter test at the outlet and at the controller terminals, transformer swap, battery reset, and controller replacement.
- Fix an Irrigation Controller Not Running a ProgramPremium repair procedures for an irrigation controller that will not run — transformer replacement, battery swap, program re-entry, and full controller replacement with re-programming.
- Smart Irrigation Controller Programming GuidePremium setup and programming guide for smart irrigation controllers — initial installation, zone scheduling, evapotranspiration integration, and weather adjustment configuration.
Heads & Sprinklers
- Fix a Sprinkler Head Leaking at the BasePremium repair procedures for a sprinkler head leaking at the base — O-ring replacement, thread re-sealing, head body replacement, and cracked fitting repair.
- Fix a Sprinkler Head That Won't Pop UpPremium repair procedures for sprinkler heads that won't pop up — spring replacement, riser cleaning, nozzle service, and body replacement with field-tested steps.
- Sprinkler Head Clogged / Low Flow — Repair GuidePremium repair procedures for a clogged or low-flow sprinkler head — nozzle removal and cleaning, filter-screen + wiper seal service, riser replacement, post-repair runtime check, and GPM-match re-nozzle.
- Sprinkler Head Replacement RepairPremium repair procedures for replacing a sprinkler head — body extraction, swing-pipe alignment, riser fitting prep, and field-tested torque with parts-list and acceptance criteria.
Leaks
- Backflow Preventer Repair GuidePremium repair procedures for backflow preventers — rebuild vs replace decision, PVB/RPZ rebuild kit swap, bonnet & spring replacement, and winterization to prevent future failure.
- Broken Irrigation Pipe / Lateral Leak — Repair GuidePremium repair procedures for a broken underground irrigation pipe or lateral leak — excavation, PVC solvent-weld repair, polyethylene cinch-clamp repair, compression-fitting short-term fix, and post-repair pressure verification.
- Broken Sprinkler Lateral Line Leak — Repair GuidePremium repair procedures for a broken sprinkler lateral line leak — excavation, PVC cut-and-splice with slip couplings and solvent weld, polyethylene barb repair with two cinch clamps, solvent-weld cure time table, and post-repair runtime pressure verification including the 24-hour wet-spot recurrence check.
- Fix Wet Spots Between Watering CyclesPremium repair procedures for persistent wet spots between irrigation cycles — valve diaphragm replacement, lateral pipe repair, and solenoid service.
- Sprinkler Wiring Short / Decoder Fault — Repair GuidePremium repair procedures for a sprinkler wiring short or decoder fault — wire splice repair with waterproof direct-burial connectors, decoder replacement with address programming, breaker reset and fuse replacement, field-wire re-pull, and post-repair continuity verification.
- Sprinkler Zone Not Turning On — Repair GuidePremium repair procedures for a sprinkler zone that will not turn on — solenoid replacement with OEM-vs-universal compatibility check, valve wiring splice repair with direct-burial gel-filled connectors, controller terminal fix, diaphragm service and solenoid port cleaning, and the post-repair activation check.
Valves
- Fix a Sprinkler Valve Stuck Open (Won't Shut Off)Premium repair procedures for a sprinkler valve that is stuck open and will not shut off — manual clean (bleed-port rod-out), solenoid swap, diaphragm rebuild, and verification.
- Fix a Sprinkler Valve That Won't OpenPremium repair procedures for a stuck-closed sprinkler valve — solenoid replacement, diaphragm swap, flow-control adjustment, and wiring repair with field-tested steps.
- How to Test and Replace a Sprinkler Valve SolenoidPremium repair procedures for a sprinkler valve solenoid — resistance test, voltage test, manual bleed, OEM vs. universal replacement, and wiring repair with field-tested steps.
- Sprinkler Valve Solenoid RepairPremium repair procedures for a sprinkler valve solenoid — resistance and voltage test, OEM vs. universal replacement, bleed-port cleaning, and field-wiring repair with field-tested steps.
Winterization
- Irrigation System Winterization — Equipment & Restart GuidePremium guide to irrigation system winterization — compressor specs for blow-out, PSI safety thresholds by pipe type, and post-winter restart procedure.
- Winterization Blowout RepairPremium repair procedures for a winterization blow-out — CFM @ PSI compressor sizing, PSI safety thresholds by pipe type, zone-by-zone blow-out execution, backflow plug removal, manual and auto drain service, and post-winter restart.