Rain Bird Sprinkler Troubleshooting enables homeowners to irrigate their lawn on a particular schedule. This machine has various components that work together. It is, therefore, crucial to have a bit of a basic understanding of how the machine works and what to do when it stops running. In addition, it is essential to keep the owner’s booklet with you as these sprinklers may differ among models.
Here is What to do when the Rain Bird Sprinkler System Won’t Turn On
Rain Bird Controller Troubleshooting
If your Rain Bird sprinkler fails to start, you can try troubleshooting. Start the process by inspecting for an error message on the controller. For instance, you may see a flashing LED error light. This is an indication that the setup has an issue. You need to reset the controller on; days to water, start time, and the duration to water.
If it is a valve or station short, you will see a solid LED. It could be due to faulty wiring that must be fixed as soon as you can. In some cases, the display on the controller may show nothing. Various issues could cause this, but first, you must ensure the controller is connected correctly, is receiving power, and has a good battery.
You can still take a look at the circuit breaker and reset it. If it is connected to power, you can reset the system. Another likely cause is that the unit was affected by an electrical surge. You can deal with it by unplugging the unit and plugging it into power after about two minutes. If this fails to work, you may need to replace the controller.
Troubleshoot Watering Issues
If the sprinklers are not running while the controller is working correctly, you may need to check the amount of water. Remember, there must be enough water for the sprinklers to work well. Make sure there is no disruption of water from the primary source. Also, ensure the shutoff valve is not closed. If you experience low pressure that does not seem to run the sprinklers, you can try stopping the water from running in other systems in your property, such as the showers and washing machines. In addition, there could be a broken pipe somewhere on the property.
Often, especially when it rains, the sprinkler may fail to start. This is usually because some models have rain sensors. Thus, when it rains, they will not keep irrigating. The system may be working correctly, but you think it is not okay because it did not start as expected. If you are still afraid that the machine could be faulty, set it to ‘Bypass’ the sensors and start.
Troubleshoot Rain Bird Valves
The valves could also be the reason why you are experiencing watering problems. Thus, you can now inspect the valves if you have already checked the controller and the water supply. Set them to work manually. Select ‘manual start’ on the controller and check whether the solenoid clicks once it is activated. Rain Bird Sprinkler Troubleshooting fails, you will need to replace it since it may be burned out.
The valves should also be well-installed. If there is any debris, use the ‘flush mode’ to clean it. The debris could be causing clogging in the valves. When you clean it, the valves should work properly. Besides, the valves should not have any leaks or even cracks. If there is any, consider fixing them promptly. Lastly, you can get in touch with Rain Bird’s technical support team if you require extra help or you want to place an order for any parts.
Maintaining the Irrigation System
Many homeowners have irrigation systems to maintain lush and green lawns during all seasons. However, some neglect maintenance of the watering systems. Others are always checking and ensuring that the irrigation system works properly. Notably, a well-maintained irrigation system keeps your home lawn in excellent condition and also helps avoid water wastage. If you want to keep your irrigation system in proper working conditions, you should do the following;
-
Check Water Pressure
Before you turn on the system, you should always make sure the water pressure is okay. In most cases, the water pressure settings should be somewhere between 40 and 65 PSI.
-
Check for Broken/Missing Sprinkler Heads
The sprinklers cannot work properly if some of their heads are missing or broken. Therefore, you should always check out if the heads are intact. Missing or broken heads cause wet spots and water runoff in the lawn. Eventually, the lawn will experience excessively wet areas and overwatering. In addition, the plants will have poor health because they are unable to take up any oxygen.
-
Ensure Sprinkler Heads are at Right angles
Apart from ensuring all the sprinklers have their heads, you should check if the heads are pointing in the right direction. If they are not well set, adjust them to avoid uneven watering or some dry spots.
-
Adjust Control Timers to Cater to Seasonal Plant Needs
Every plant has its special watering requirements. In addition, these needs are probably different as per season. During the hot seasons, some plants need more water than in the cold ones. Thus, you must adjust the timers to cater to each type of plant as per season. You should call in a lawn expert if you are not sure about the watering needs of the various plants at your home.
Conclusion
If your Rain Bird sprinklers have problems, there will always be a solution. As mentioned in this article, you should make sure the controller is working properly. If the automatic turn-on is not functioning, try running it manually. Also, you should make sure the valves are working properly. Any debris in the valves can alter their performance. This means that you should flush them out to allow the valves to function normally. Also, maintain your irrigation system by adhering to the tips shared in the last section of the article. Ensure all sprinkler heads are intact and are facing the right direction. Do not forget to get in touch with the Rain Bird technical support team whenever you need any additional help.
