Frequently asked questions for sprinkler systems in Austin, Georgetown, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Hutto, Cedar park, and other areas.
My system won’t turn off, what wrong?
First try and turn off the system at the control panel on the wall, and then un-plugging the unit. If neither of those actions stop the system from running, then there is a mechanical problem with the system. The water will need to be turned off at the backflow preventor / water supply. Locate the water supply valve and turn off the water supply. Municipalities including Austin, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Hutto, and Cedar Park require isolation valves / backflow preventers such as pictured below to be installed in the system in order to meet city codes.



After turning off the water supply, contact American Irrigation Repair to schedule the necessary repair.
I have a large water bill, is there a leak?
Excessive water usage is commonly a sign there are issues in the irrigation system. As cities raise water rates and water becomes more scarce, conservation, and a properly operating system becomes more and more critical. Some municipalities such as Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Hutto, and Cedar Park may even have fines for high water usage. Operate the system, and look for any leaks, puddling or geysers from broken heads. Any of the above issues can cause high water usage and bills. Check the Irrigation controller and make sure the controller is not watering more than you intend to water. The most common cause of high water usage is having multiple “hidden” schedules programmed that you may not have intended to set. Be sure that the controller is only watering the times you intend. If needed, contact your water provider or American Irrigation Repair for assistance in determining if you have a leak, or scheduling problem.
I have large dry spots in my lawn, what is causing that?
Many issues can cause dry spots including clogged nozzles, low heads, inoperative control valves, inappropriate schedules to name a few. A monthly or quarterly inspection is good measure to clean any clogged or dirty nozzles as needed to prevent dry spotting. Dirt and debris will get in the heads and prevent them from covering correctly. Contact American Irrigation today if you are having trouble with your coverage.
My system runs, and then keeps cycling additional times. Is the controller bad?
Many controllers can inadvertently be set to water more than once per day. Check to make sure there is only one “start” time per day programmed into the controller. Remove any extra start times, and check to see if the problem persists. If the problem persists, contact American Irrigation Repair to have the system repaired.
My controller is blank or the display shows incorrectly. Does the controller need to be replaced?
Many times the newer electronic controllers will become locked when a power surge, or lighting strike occurs. Perform a hard reset on the controller to make sure that the controller is not locked up. If the controller has a battery backup, remove power and remove the battery. It is imperative that the battery is removed while the a/c power is also removed in order to allow the unit to completely power down. Allow the controller to sit for a few minutes. If the controller has a reset button, depress the reset button while the power is off. After allow the unit to sit for a few minutes, reconnect the power, and reinstall the batteries. If the units appears to be function correctly, the problem may be solved. If the unit continues to not function properly, contact American Irrigation Repair in Austin, Texas to service the system.
My controller shows “short”, or continues to blow fuses. What does that mean?
First and most importantly, NEVER install a larger fuse because the smaller one blows. If the controller shows short, or blows fuses, that is almost always indicating a problem with the controller, or field wiring. Contact American Irrigation Repair to have the system serviced.
How long should I water?
See our “scheduling page” for more information on how long to water in Austin, Georgetown, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, and Hutto TX.
Cars keep running over my heads, what can be done about it?
We can install updated “swing joints” into your system to reduce the likelihood of breakage due to vehicular traffic. Contact American Irrigation Repair today to have them installed on your system.
What do I need to due to my system to prepare for winter?
Generally the central Texas weather does not get cold enough to justify and special “winterizing” of our sprinkler systems. Wrap any exposed metal components with insulations, and keep the system off during freezing weather. There shouldn’t be any special winterizing that needs to be done. DO NOT TURN THE SYSTEM OFF ALL WINTER. There are rubber, water lubricated parts on all the control valves, and heads that will become brittle and crack if they are not exercised occasionally. Run the system at least once per month to prevent these issues from arising.
City of Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Hutto or Pflugerville has mailed me a letter requesting a test of my backflow preventer. What does that mean?
Yes, no longer will you need to waste your free time hosing doA backflow preventor should not constantly dump, or discharge water. A constant discharge can indicate debris in the valve, component wear, or freeze / component damage. If your valve is causing a wet spot or puddle, contact us immediately to service, or repair the valve. wn your lawn on hot Texas summer days.
My backflow preventer has been a problem several times before, and I am tired of messing with it. Can it just be removed?
The simple answer to this is NO. Backflow preventers are required to promote safe drinking water to all who share the supply. Municipalities such as Austin, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Cedar Park, Georgetown, and Hutto require backflow preventers to be connected to their water supply. Removal of these devices will trigger disconnection/ fines or both. Contact American Irrigation Repair so we can discuss what changes could be made to keep continued repetitive problems from occurring with your backflow prevention device.
I have City and Well service. Can I connect my sprinkler to both, and just have a valve to switch to whichever one I want to use?
No. Municipal water suppliers require a physical separation between well water and the municipal water supply. If your system is not setup accordingly, contact us immediately to correct the connection.