Spring Check: Catching Valve Leaks Before Summer
Spring is the perfect time to catch sprinkler valve leaks — before the heavy summer watering season magnifies the waste. A quick seasonal check finds small leaks while they're cheap to fix. Here's how to inspect your valves this spring.
Why check in spring
After sitting through winter, valves can develop leaks from settled debris, dried-out seals, or cold-weather stress. Catching them now means you head into the high-demand summer season with a tight, efficient system — not a leaking one quietly running up your bill in the heat.
Inspect the valve boxes
Open each valve box and look for standing water, mud, or signs of seepage at the valves and fittings. A box that's wet when the system has been off points to a leak at an always-pressurized point. Clear out any debris, dirt, or pests that have moved in over winter.
Run each zone and watch
- Confirm each valve opens and closes cleanly when commanded.
- Watch for a zone that won't fully shut off (a weeping valve).
- Check for low pressure that could indicate a valve or line leak.
- Look for pooling around the valves while running.
Fix small issues now
Clean any debris from valves, tighten loose fittings, and replace worn diaphragms or solenoids while it's quick and cheap. A small spring repair prevents a summer of wasted water and stressed plants.
Pair it with a tune-up
A valve check fits naturally into a broader spring irrigation tune-up. Our irrigation team can inspect your valves and ready the whole system for summer.
Frequently asked questions
When should I check my sprinkler valves?
Spring, before the heavy watering season — it catches winter-related leaks while they're small and cheap to fix.
What should I look for at the valves?
Standing water in the box, valves that won't fully shut off, low pressure, and pooling while running all point to a leak.
Arbol Roble has cared for Inland Empire landscapes since 1997, serving Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Fontana, Eastvale, Corona and Riverside. Request a free quote or browse our residential and commercial services.
About the Author
The Arbol Roble team are licensed landscaping and irrigation professionals (CSLB License #1077455) serving Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Fontana, Eastvale, Corona, Riverside, and the greater Inland Empire.