PVC Sprinkler Pipe Leaks? I Fix Leaky PVC Pipes in Seminole and Volusia County

You’ve got a puddle in your yard where there shouldn’t be a puddle. Maybe you’ve got half of your sprinklers not spraying. Maybe your water bill went up by $50 last month with no apparent explanation. Odds are, you’ve got a cracked PVC irrigation pipe. Let’s face it… nobody jumps out of bed excited to fix their sprinkler system. However, a cracked irrigation pipe wastes an incredible amount of water. Also, your grass is either drowning in one area or dying in another. I’ve been repairing this type of issue for 50 years and I can get yours taken care of quickly.

How Do I Know My Sprinkler Pipe Is Leaking?

It may be obvious… Water shoots up into the air like a geyser when the system operates… That is a good sign.

However, most times it isn’t so clear:

You’ll notice soggy patches of grass that stay wet even after it rains. You’ll also notice one part of your yard is a swamp while the other part of your yard is drying out and becoming brown. Or, you’ll turn on a zone and only 2 of the 8 sprinkler heads operate. Maybe the top of the lowest head on the zone stays wet and doesn’t dry out.

One thing people commonly miss is… Odd noises. If you hear hissing or gurgling while the sprinklers operate, water is leaking somewhere it shouldn’t be.

The worst part… most leaks occur below ground level where you can’t see them. Therefore, your water bill could double and you would never even know it until the problem has gotten worse. A small crack in a PVC pipe can leak hundreds of gallons of water before you ever even discover it. Even if you are using reclaimed water in Seminole county, which is cheaper than city water, it can still be very expensive.

Why Do Sprinkler Pipes Leak?

Freezing cold is one reason (but not common here)

Frozen water expands. PVC pipe does not like that. Cracks. This occurs most often when there is an unexpected freeze in central Florida every couple of years. People neglect to drain their pipes or believe their system is okay, and then spring arrives and none of their sprinkler’s work.

Trees break PVC pipes too.

They grow their roots towards water, it’s as if they were pre-programmed to locate the irrigation pipes. I have seen pipes completely encased in roots or crushed flat due to tree roots.

Sprinkler system is old

Soil settles over time. Homes shift. Soil shifts. Large trucks drive over your yard. Eventually, the constant pressure on the buried pipes will cause a crack or pull a joint apart.

And there is the sun damage.

Any PVC exposed to sunlight will become brittle over several years. The ultraviolet rays will break down the PVC. Buried pipes last forever, however exposed sections will typically last 10 years at best. Touch a weathered PVC pipe and it may fall apart in your hand.

Poor Installation.

I see this a lot – poorly installed pipes that were not sealed correctly, connections that were forced together, and pipes that were installed too shallowly so they can be easily damaged by lawn mowers. Cheap work is a recipe for disaster later.

What Happens When You Call Me?

No confusing scheduling. You call, I answer. Want it fixed today? I provide same-day service for emergencies. Typically, non-emergency repairs take place within a couple of days, not next month, or “when I can squeeze you in”. Except for March-June. That is the busy season and me and everyone else are slammed.

I arrive with a truck full of various parts and supplies – different pipe diameters, fittings, glue, etc. I begin running each zone of your sprinkler system individually to identify the leak. Sometimes the leak is obvious. Sometimes I have to perform pressure tests and listen for water sounds to determine where the leak is.

After identifying the leak, I will explain to you what caused the leak, what was broken (if I can), and exactly what it will cost to fix. Right then. No calling the office to confirm or surprise charges later.

Now, regarding the actual repair. I dig up only enough to access the damaged section. I remove the damaged section. I clean the area thoroughly. I install the necessary new pipe and/or fittings with the proper primer and glue – not a half-baked job that other companies leave behind.

Finally, I test your entire system. Each zone. At full operating pressure. I check for additional leaks since sometimes one leak will hide others. Once everything is operating perfectly, I fill in the hole I dug, compact the soil, and clean up. You won’t even know I was there except your sprinklers are operating again.

Common Repairs for Irrigation Systems

Damaged Pipes – Hairline cracks in the pipe to complete separation of the pipe. I will cut out the damaged section and attach the new section to the existing piping.

Separate Joints – Joints that have separated due to shifting ground or poor installation. These require cutting the pipes and attaching new fittings.

Broken Risers – Riser pipes are the vertical pipes that extend from the ground to the sprinkler heads. Lawnmowers tend to destroy these. Easy fix, but it requires being done correctly.

Leaks Around Zone Valves – Leaks from the PVC connections around your zone valves or the solenoid valve itself. I address both.

Main Line Leaks – Main lines carry the water supply to the irrigation system. High-pressure operation; requires precise repair techniques. I use the correct schedule pipe for the required pressure rating.

Why Customers Continuously Return to Me

I answer my phone. Unbelievable, I know! But many companies in Central Florida will send you straight to voicemail or require you to submit a request and wait 3-5 days before someone contacts you. Call me, speak to a real person, and I’ll set you up. That’s it!

I know what I’m doing. I’ve worked with irrigation systems for 50 years. I’m not one of those general handyman guys that fix fences and power wash decks and sprinklers are just an afterthought – I do this every day. With all that experience, I am quicker and get it right.

No Surprise Charges

I tell you the cost before I start. That is the cost you pay. I’m not going to try to scam you or add in random charges to increase the cost. Reasonable prices keep returning customers coming back, and that is what I want.

All repairs come with a warranty. If the repair I performed fails and it is due to an error I made, I will return and repair it for free. I am responsible for the work I do.

Lastly, I do not ruin your yard. Some companies dig as if they are digging dinosaur bones and ruin your yard upon completion. I am a clean digger and I put everything back to the condition it was in prior to starting.

What Will It Cost?

It depends on what broke and where it is located.

A simple hairline crack in an easy to access location? Usually costs between $150-$300. Takes 1-2 hours to diagnose, fix, and test. Straightforward.

More difficult to repair situations include: Hard to access pipes beneath decks or sidewalks, main line repairs (due to higher pressure), numerous broken sections, old fittings that I have to search for.

Many companies give you a low estimate on the phone and then inflate the cost once they’re finished. I do not play games like that. Once I assess your individual problem, the price I quote you is the price you pay. No hidden fees, no “oh by the way” charges at the conclusion of the repair.

To date, I believe I am the only lawn sprinkler company that posts their pricing. Check it out at irrigation repair pricing.

Preventative Measures to Prevent Sprinkler Repair Issues in the Future

Yes, I will gladly repair your pipes whenever they leak. But let’s be realistic… wouldn’t you prefer to avoid the problem altogether?

Winterize Your Irrigation System Before Freezing Temperatures Arrive

This is HUGE in North Florida, but it can rarely happen here in Seminole County, (though it is happening less and less). If there is a freeze forecasted, drain your lines. Unlike the northern states, you will NOT need to blow out your lines with compressed air. Even systems that claim to be “freeze-proof” can develop a crack when water freezes inside the pipe.

Perform An Annual Inspection on Your Irrigation System

Like your car or ac unit, I’ll identify potential issues prior to them developing into an emergency. Loose fittings, worn-out connections, and pipes showing signs of excessive wear. Identifying issues early on will save you money.

Be Careful What You Are Doing in Your Yard

Know where your irrigation pipes are located before you start digging. Be mindful of large equipment and mark the location of your sprinkler heads. Most damage from lawn mowers and shovels is entirely preventable.

Repair Sun Damaged Sections of PVC Prior To Failure

If you have PVC exposed to the sun, check it periodically. Once the PVC becomes brittle and develops discoloration, it is essentially living on borrowed time. Replace it prior to it failing and causing an emergency.

Emergency Repairs (When Everything Goes Horribly Wrong)

According to Murphy’s Law, your irrigation system will fail on Saturday morning prior to a family barbecue. Or a pipe will rupture and flood your yard while you are at work.

In the event of extreme problems – water spewing everywhere, yard flooding, massive water waste – please contact me immediately. I will guide you through shutting down your system to stop the bleeding and I will arrive ASAP.

While I consider smaller emergencies serious as well, I understand the urgency in getting your system operational again prior to a heat wave when your lawn is in dire need of water. I prioritize emergency calls and arrive as soon as possible.

Are You Ready to Have Your Sprinkler System Repaired?

I serve Seminole County, south Volusia County, north Orange County, and the surrounding areas approximately within a 10-mile radius. Links to the regions I serve. As I am local, I live in this community.

Please call me at (407) 341-3449 or contact me via my website at https://www.lakemaryirrigation.org/contact/. During regular business hours (8am – 6pm), I generally respond to your inquiry within an hour. Outside of regular hours, I will contact you the same day or the next morning.

Do not allow a ruptured pipe to kill your lawn or waste water (and money)! Contact me. I will diagnose what is wrong, fix it properly, and restore your irrigation system to normal functionality. That is it. That is my promise.