Find sprinkler leaks and overspray on a daylight walk

Watch the system run

Walk each zone during a controlled test. Flag a tilted head, water striking paving or a sprinkler that fails to rise. Photograph the problem with enough surrounding detail to identify its location later.

Look between watering cycles

EPA’s Sprinkler Spruce-Up guidance notes that pooling between cycles can indicate a buried leak. A valve that does not close may also allow seepage. These observations help distinguish a watering schedule problem from a mechanical fault.

Repair before adding time

Avoid increasing runtime to compensate for a broken or misdirected head. Give a contractor the zone number and photographs, and ask for a check after the repair. If misting or poor coverage continues, have operating pressure and compatible components assessed.

Build a repair list that someone can use

Name the zone and describe the position relative to a fixed feature, such as a gate or path. Separate immediate water loss from less urgent coverage adjustments. Keep children and visitors away from slippery paving or pooled water while the problem is assessed. If water is escaping continuously, use a known, safely accessible irrigation isolation point or call the responsible service provider.

A useful report reads: water collects beside the south gate after the controller finishes; the same spot was wet before the next scheduled cycle. That gives the contractor a timing clue. A photograph of a puddle alone leaves important questions unanswered.

Check the repair in operation

Ask for a demonstration of the repaired zone and a note of the component replaced. Confirm that the neighbouring heads still cover their intended areas and that the original symptom has stopped. Escalate recurring pooling, uncertain shutoff operation or a suspected buried fault for professional diagnosis; avoid digging around unidentified utilities to investigate it yourself.