As a homeowner, there’s nothing more annoying than having your sprinkler system go off when you least expect it. But have you ever wondered why this happens?
Studies show that faulty sprinkler systems misfire approximately 3 times per month—and while automatic sprinklers rarely turn on completely on their own (less than 2 percent of the time!).
Most accidental activations are due to wet conditions caused by adjacent plumbing fixtures, nearby leaks in the yard, or other neighboring sprinkler or irrigation systems.
Read on to learn more about why sprinklers go off accidentally and how you can prevent your system from experiencing any hiccups.
What Causes Sprinklers to Activate Accidentally?
When it comes to understanding why sprinklers go off accidentally, the first question to ask is whether the system was activated manually or automatically. If it was manually triggered—by adjusting the settings on a timer, for instance—then that’s likely where you should start looking for solutions.
However, if the system activated itself without being set off by anyone, then chances are high that wet conditions caused by adjacent plumbing fixtures, nearby leaks in the yard, or other neighboring sprinkler or irrigation systems have been responsible.
How Can I Prevent This From Happening?
The best way to prevent your system from going off unexpectedly is with regular maintenance and check-ups by a certified technician. This will help ensure that all of your sprinklers are working correctly and efficiently so that they don’t misfire due to an undetected problem.
Additionally, many modern irrigation systems come equipped with sensors that can detect when moisture levels in the soil reach a certain point and shut down accordingly.
Installing one of these sensors on your lawn can help keep your system from activating prematurely due to heavy rain or over-watering.
Conclusion:
No one wants their automatic sprinkler system going off unexpectedly—especially not multiple times per month! Fortunately, there are several steps homeowners can take to help prevent accidental activation of their systems.
Regular check-ups by a certified technician and installing moisture sensors on your lawn are two great ways to make sure this doesn’t happen too often.
With just a bit of diligence and care taken now, you can avoid having unexpected “soak” in the future!
I’m Carlos Robert, a passionate gardener, and blogger. With years of experience and knowledge in the field of garden watering, I have created a blog to share my insights and tips on the topic. I strive to provide readers with detailed information about all aspects of sprinkler systems, from garden sprinklers to fire sprinklers, along with nozzles, hoses, and other related products. I love helping my readers create the perfect garden with their ideal setup!