Irrigation & Sprinkler Leak Detection
Pressurized irrigation lines fail silently underground — no wet spot, just a bill that keeps climbing.
- One zone runs faster than expected
- Bill spikes during irrigation season
- Soft or muddy patch in yard
- System loses pressure between watering cycles
Why Irrigation Leaks Are Easy to Miss
Most irrigation systems run at night or early morning when no one is watching. A leaking valve or supply line can run for weeks before anyone notices — and by then, the water bill is already $200+ over normal.
Irrigation leaks happen at three points: valves (slow seep or constant-on failure), underground supply lines (PVC joint separations common after freeze-thaw), or at the head (clogged, cracked, or sunken below grade). Each type has different detection methods and repair costs.
Freeze-Thaw Damage in Cold Climates
In states with hard winters, irrigation lines that weren't properly winterized fail at PVC joint glue bonds when soil freezes and expands around them. The damage isn't visible until spring — but the billing starts the first time the system runs on a cracked line.
Irrigation Detection Cost
$150 – $300
Full zone-by-zone pressure test and acoustic scan. Quote before we start.
Call for Exact QuoteSpring Startup Check
When activating irrigation for the season, watch your water meter during each zone's run cycle. Unusually high meter spin on one zone = underground leak in that zone's supply line.
How We Diagnose Irrigation Leaks
Zone Isolation Testing
Each zone is activated and pressure-tested individually. A zone with abnormal pressure drop or flow rate has a supply line or valve failure — we narrow the location before any digging starts.
Acoustic Detection
Ground microphones pick up water escaping pressurized irrigation supply lines — even PVC lines 12–18 inches deep. We locate the exact break point for targeted excavation.
Valve & Backflow Inspection
Valves and backflow preventers are common failure points. We test each valve in the system for proper function, bleed-down, and seal integrity.
Head & Grade Check
Sprinkler heads that are cracked, sunken below grade, or tilted cause water loss at the head itself. We inspect and adjust or replace as needed during the same visit.
Irrigation Leaks Waste Hundreds of Gallons a Day
Same-day detection and repair — before your next water bill arrives.