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Irrigation & sprinkler leak detection in Kingman, AZ

A soggy patch between drip emitters. A sprinkler zone that never builds full pressure. A meter that keeps turning after the controller has finished. Irrigation leaks are easy to miss in a desert yard, and easy to confuse with a main water line leak—this works out whether the sprinkler or drip system is the source.

Call (928) 437-2800

What is this investigation trying to find?

Irrigation systems have several parts that can leak:

The irrigation supply line that branches off the main water line

Backflow prevention devices, where installed

Zone valves, which can stick open or weep

Lateral lines running from each valve to the heads or emitters

Drip tubing, emitters and fittings

Sprinkler heads and risers

This is different from a leak on the main water line to the house—see underground water line leak detection.

What are the signs of an irrigation leak?

Wet ground or puddles in one area of a zone

Water bubbling up between emitters or around a valve box

A zone with weak spray or emitters that barely drip

Sprinkler heads that keep seeping after a cycle ends

Plants that are unusually lush in one strip, or dying in another

A meter that moves only when the irrigation system is pressurized

Water use that rises during the irrigation season more than expected

Irrigation leak or main line leak?

Clue	Irrigation leak	Main water line leak
Meter moves only when irrigation is on	Likely	Unlikely
Meter moves with irrigation shut off at its own valve	Unlikely	Likely
Wet area near valve boxes or heads	Likely	Possible
Wet area along the route from meter to house	Possible	Likely
Problem worse during watering season	Likely	Not tied to season

The single most useful check is shutting off the irrigation supply at its own valve and watching the meter. See underground leak vs irrigation leak.

Why do irrigation systems develop leaks?

Valves with worn diaphragms or debris that stops them closing

Drip tubing damaged by digging, rodents or foot traffic

Fittings that pull apart or crack

Heads and risers broken by vehicles or mowers

Lines damaged on freezing nights where they are shallow or above ground

Is it urgent?

Situation	What to do
Water flowing from a broken head or line	Turn off the controller and close the irrigation shutoff if you know where it is
Zone valve won’t stop running	Close the irrigation shutoff valve and call
Slow seep or damp patch	Arrange a check; note the zone and time
Higher bill, nothing visible	Start with meter checks

What can you check safely before calling?

Turn the controller off and make sure no zones are running.

Check the meter with all indoor and outdoor water off, if it is safely accessible.

Close the irrigation system’s own shutoff if you know where it is, and check the meter again. If it stops moving, the leak is probably in the irrigation system.

Run each zone briefly and walk it, looking for geysers, pooling or weak spots.

Note which zones and areas are affected.

Do not dig to expose lines. Even shallow irrigation trenches can run near other buried utilities.

What does this investigation involve?

Confirm whether the irrigation system is losing water

Separate irrigation loss from main water line loss

Identify which zone, valve or line section is affected

Narrow the leak location within that zone

Explain the findings and repair options

What falls outside this investigation?

Repairing valves, lines or heads—that is irrigation and sprinkler leak repair

Controller programming, landscape design or plant care

Backflow testing or certification, which may have separate requirements

Main water line repair

What should you know about a suspected irrigation leak?

Possible warning signs do not identify a leak with certainty. In considering an irrigation leak, compare the symptoms with other sources of moisture or water use. Ask what is established about the affected area and what questions are still open before agreeing to work.

What can change the scope of an irrigation leak investigation?

Where the likely problem is located, access to the affected area, property water systems, and the distinction between detection and repair may all matter. A customer should know which areas are in scope, whether different types of damage need separate attention, and who is responsible for any resulting work.

Why can desert landscaping conceal an irrigation leak?

Water can spread under rock without pooling on the surface

Drip zones are designed to keep soil damp, so a small leak blends in

Monsoon rain can mask, or mimic, a leak for days after a storm

Can irrigation leaks increase your water bill?

Irrigation can be a large share of outdoor water use. A valve that does not fully close can run water through the meter for hours without anyone noticing. If your bill has jumped, it’s worth checking irrigation before assuming a main line leak. See why is my Kingman water bill high? and water meter and pressure-loss investigation.

Why locate an irrigation leak before digging?

Irrigation repairs usually involve digging, even if shallow. Arizona 811 should be contacted at least two full working days before excavation so utility-owned lines can be marked.

Multi-unit excavation exception: for excavations at apartment communities or mobile-home parks, A.R.S. § 40-360.22 adds a certified-mail inquiry to the landlord; the landlord may take up to ten working days to respond with marking of landlord-operated underground facilities.

Private lines, including irrigation lines themselves, are often not marked by Arizona 811 and may need separate locating.

What happens after a leak is located?

Once the leak is found, repair typically means replacing a valve or diaphragm, repairing or replacing a section of tubing or lateral, or fixing a head, riser or fitting. See irrigation and sprinkler leak repair.

What determines the investigation scope and cost?

There is no standard price. Factors include the number of zones, whether valves work for isolation, whether the layout is known, ground cover, and whether the leak is on a lateral or the irrigation supply line.

How should you choose a leak detection provider?

Will you separate irrigation loss from main line loss?

Do you work on irrigation systems specifically?

Will Arizona 811 be contacted before any digging?

What repair options are available if the suspected leak is confirmed?

How can you prepare for the investigation?

Know where the controller and valve boxes are, if possible

Locate the irrigation shutoff valve

Have recent water bills available

Note which zones seem affected

Mention recent landscaping work

FAQ

Irrigation leak detection FAQs

How do I know if the leak is in my irrigation?

Shut off the irrigation supply at its own valve and watch the meter with everything else off. If the meter stops, the leak is probably in the irrigation system.

Can a sprinkler valve leak when the system is off?

Yes. A valve that does not seal fully can let water pass into a zone, often showing up as wet ground at the lowest head or emitter.

Why is one area of my drip zone always wet?

It may be a broken emitter, a split in the tubing or a fitting that has come apart. It may also be the lowest point in the zone where water drains after each cycle.

Will Arizona 811 mark my sprinkler lines?

Usually not. Arizona 811 coordinates marking of utility-owned lines. Private irrigation lines often need separate locating.

Is an irrigation leak the same as a yard water line leak?

No. They may look similar on the surface, but they are different lines with different repairs.

Can freezing weather damage irrigation lines?

It can, especially shallow, exposed or above-ground parts. Freezing is one possible cause among several.

Call about an irrigation leak

If a zone keeps pooling water, your meter only moves when the irrigation is on, or your bill has climbed in the watering season, call Kingman Leakcrest at (928) 437-2800.

Hours: 8:00 AM–6:00 PM, Monday–Sunday

Call (928) 437-2800