Summer water bills can climb fast, especially in June when your lawn demands regular watering. But if your sprinkler system has an undetected leak, you’re not just paying for lawn care—you’re also paying to soak the soil, flood the sidewalk, or even damage your home’s foundation. Water waste adds up quickly, and small problems can lead to major repairs if left unchecked.
Knowing the warning signs and acting early can save hundreds of dollars and prevent serious landscape damage. Here’s what every Idaho Falls homeowner should know about spotting sprinkler system leaks this time of year.
Why Sprinkler Leaks Get Worse in Summer
In early spring, you may run your sprinkler system a few times a week. But by June, that frequency ramps up—sometimes daily. That increase in usage puts strain on every part of your system. Tiny cracks, loose connections, or faulty valves that went unnoticed in May are now put to the test.
Because leaks are usually slow and often underground, they’re easy to miss—until your lawn starts drowning or your water bill triples. June is when minor damage becomes obvious, but also when the consequences of delay become expensive.
Warning Signs of a Sprinkler Leak
Some leaks are dramatic—like water spraying out the side of a broken pipe. Others are subtle. If you know what to look for, you can catch them before they escalate.
Watch for:
- Unusually wet or soggy spots in your lawn, especially when surrounding grass is dry
- Sprinkler heads that bubble or sputter instead of spraying evenly
- Dripping heads after the system shuts off
- Drops in water pressure or uneven coverage across zones
- A spike in your monthly water bill without a change in watering habits
Any one of these signs is enough reason to schedule a repair inspection with YardTech.
How to Check for Underground or Hidden Leaks
Some sprinkler leaks hide below the surface, especially in lateral lines that run between the valve and sprinkler heads. You may not see pooling water right away, but you’ll notice soft, mushy soil or areas of lawn that seem greener and taller than the rest.
You can also:
- Turn off all water in the house and monitor your water meter. If it’s still spinning, something is leaking.
- Manually activate each sprinkler zone and observe pressure, spray pattern, and runoff.
- Open valve boxes and look for standing water or saturated soil.
If you’re unsure, YardTech’s team uses commercial-grade equipment to quickly identify the source and extent of underground leaks.
Common Causes of Summer Sprinkler Leaks in Idaho Falls
While freeze damage is more common in the spring, early summer leaks are often caused by ground settling, foot traffic, or wear-and-tear on aging systems. Some of the most common culprits include:
- Tree roots displacing buried lines
- Lawn mowers or aerators striking sprinkler heads
- Loose pipe fittings or cracked PVC joints
- Worn-out seals in valves or heads
- Improperly winterized systems that are now starting to fail
These problems aren’t always visible—but they are common in eastern Idaho lawns by mid-June.
Why Prompt Sprinkler Repairs Save You More Than Money
Water loss costs you money, but that’s not the only problem. Persistent leaks can:
- Create swampy spots that kill grass and invite pests
- Undermine soil structure and damage sidewalks or foundations
- Waste hundreds or thousands of gallons of water during drought-prone seasons
- Lead to fines or restrictions if runoff affects public property
When YardTech handles your sprinkler system repair, we don’t just patch the leak. We evaluate your system for any other weak points and get your system back to peak performance—efficient, even, and problem-free.
YardTech, Inc – Your Preferred Sprinkler System Contractor in East Idaho
June is peak season for sprinkler system use—and unfortunately, also for sprinkler system leaks. Spotting and repairing problems early can save your landscape, your wallet, and your water supply. If you’ve noticed soggy spots, skyrocketing bills, or uneven sprinkler performance, call YardTech, Inc. Our experienced team is ready to find and fix the issue quickly so you can enjoy a lush, worry-free lawn all summer long.