Irrigation & Backflow
Irrigation leak repair
Irrigation leaks happen at valves, in the pressurized mainline before the valves, and in drip tubing. A leak in the mainline runs all the time, even when the controller is off. A plumber traces it, repairs the valve or line, and checks the backflow assembly feeding it.
- Same-day service when a plumber is available
- Licensed local plumbers
- Quote before work
Sun and heat break down drip tubing and emitters, freezes crack lines that weren't blown out, and roots find leaks. A pressurized mainline leak is the costly one: it wastes water around the clock.
The tell-tale signs are a spinning meter when the house and controller are off, or a patch of landscaping that stays green or muddy.
Irrigation leaks at a glance
- Costliest leak
- Pressurized mainline before the valves
- Clue
- Meter spins with house and controller off
Signs you need irrigation leaks
- A soggy or unusually green spot
- Water bill spike in summer
- A valve that won't shut off
- Low pressure at drip emitters
How the plumber handles it
- 1
Isolate
The plumber shuts the irrigation supply to separate irrigation from house plumbing.
- 2
Trace
They find the leak at the valve manifold, mainline or drip zone.
- 3
Repair
Valves are rebuilt or replaced, and lines are cut and repaired.
What affects the cost
Prices depend on what the plumber finds, so the plumber quotes on site. These are the main factors:
- Location and depth
- Valve manifold age
- Soil, rock or hardpan
- Number of zones affected
Frequently asked questions
Is irrigation a plumber's job or a landscaper's?
Drip tubing is often landscaper territory. Pressurized mainlines, valves and backflow assemblies are plumbing work.
Where to get irrigation leaks
By state: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
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Guides
Need irrigation leaks?
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