A sprinkler zone won't turn on. Heads are barely dribbling. One area of the lawn is turning brown. Before you call anyone, here's how to troubleshoot the most common sprinkler problems in South Florida — what's likely wrong, what you can check yourself, and when it's time for a pro.
Problem: A Zone Won't Turn On At All
If one zone is completely dead while others work, the problem is almost always electrical or the valve:
- Check the controller. Make sure that zone is programmed and the display isn't showing an error or "off."
- Look for a tripped GFCI. Controllers and pumps are often on a GFCI outlet in the garage — reset it.
- Suspect the solenoid or valve. If power is reaching the valve but it won't open, the solenoid or valve diaphragm has likely failed. This is a common, fixable repair.
- Wiring. A broken or corroded wire between the controller and valve will kill a single zone.
Problem: Low Pressure or Weak Spray
If heads are barely popping up or misting instead of spraying, work through these:
- All zones weak? Suspect the pump, a main line break, or a partially closed main shutoff valve.
- One zone weak? Likely a cracked lateral line leaking underground, or too many heads on the zone.
- Sand or grit in the spray? A failing well screen is letting sand through — this clogs heads and won't fix itself.
- Clogged heads or filters. South Florida sand and hard water clog nozzles; sometimes cleaning is all it takes.
Problem: A Zone Won't Turn OFF
A zone that runs constantly, even when the system is "off," usually points to a valve stuck open — often from debris caught in the diaphragm or a failed solenoid. Shut off your water supply to stop the flooding and call a professional; running constantly wastes enormous amounts of water fast.
Problem: Brown or Dry Patches
Brown spots that follow a pattern are usually a coverage problem, not a lawn disease:
- Check for blocked or misaligned heads — buried by grass, turned the wrong way, or sunk too low.
- Look for a broken head flooding one spot while starving the area beyond it.
- Uneven coverage means the zone may need an added head or nozzle adjustment.
- If the brown is random (not patterned), it may be fungus or chinch bugs rather than irrigation.
Problem: The Whole System Won't Start
- Dead controller display? Check power, the outlet, and the GFCI. A dead display can also mean a failed controller.
- Display works but nothing runs? Check the program, and make sure any rain sensor isn't stuck in "wet" mode.
- Well/pump systems: a pump that won't prime or a tripped breaker will stop everything.
What You Can Fix vs. When to Call a Pro
Cleaning a clogged head, resetting a GFCI, straightening a tilted head, or adjusting a spray pattern are reasonable DIY fixes. But underground leaks, valve and solenoid failures, pump and well problems, main line breaks, and electrical faults need a professional — both to diagnose correctly and to avoid turning a small repair into a big one. In South Florida, sand and well issues especially tend to have a root cause that isn't visible at the head.
Still Stuck? We'll Diagnose It Fast
GroundLogic troubleshoots and repairs irrigation systems across Broward County every day. We find the actual cause — not just the symptom — and fix it right, with parts stocked on our trucks. Call (754) 268-1198 or request a free estimate online. For pricing on common repairs, see our sprinkler repair cost guide.