How to Tell If Your Sprinkler System Has a Leak in San Marcos, TX

A leaking sprinkler system is one of the most common — and most costly — irrigation problems San Marcos homeowners face. The tricky part is that many sprinkler leaks are underground, slow to show up, and easy to dismiss as something else. Here are the signs to watch for.

Your Water Bill Has Spiked Without a Clear Reason

This is the most common first indicator. If your monthly water bill has jumped by $30, $50, or more and you haven’t changed your watering habits, there is a good chance water is escaping somewhere it shouldn’t be.

A Wet or Soggy Spot That Never Dries Out

If there’s a section of your lawn that stays wet and spongy even during dry spells when the system hasn’t been running, you likely have an underground leak nearby.

Unusually Green or Fast-Growing Grass in One Spot

On the flip side of the soggy patch — a small area of lawn that is noticeably greener, taller, or faster-growing than the rest is being extra-irrigated somehow.

Low Water Pressure in One or More Zones

If a zone that used to throw water 10–12 feet is now barely reaching 6 feet, something is losing pressure between the valve and the heads.

Your Water Meter Is Running When Everything Is Off

This is the most definitive test. Turn off all water-using appliances and fixtures, then go check your water meter — if it’s still moving, water is escaping somewhere.

Heads That Leak at the Base Between Cycles

After your sprinkler cycle ends, the heads should retract and seal. If they continue to weep water for hours, the seal in the head is failing or a check valve is needed.

Running Water Sound When the System Is Off

If you can hear water running — a faint trickling sound — near your valve boxes or along where you know your irrigation lines are buried, trust your ears.