Clues that suggest a leak

Wet soil, bubbling water, one unusually saturated area or a sudden drop in performance can point toward broken piping or fittings.

Clues that suggest a valve restriction

A valve that does not open fully can reduce flow across the entire zone without producing an obvious wet spot.

Why head problems still matter

Multiple damaged heads or incorrect nozzles can also change zone performance, so diagnosis should consider distribution as well as supply.

See our leak and low-pressure diagnostic service.

Test station output first

Confirm whether the existing controller is providing output to the affected station.

Follow the circuit

If output exists, test the field wiring and solenoid. A buried valve may need to be located before the circuit can be inspected at the valve.

Separate electrical and hydraulic failures

A valve can receive the correct electrical signal and still fail mechanically. Diagnosis should determine which side of the system is responsible.

See our controller troubleshooting and wire tracing services.

Why irrigation wires break

Common causes include landscaping, edging, digging, rodents, old splices and previous repairs.

Finding the fault

Electrical measurements and wire tracing can narrow down an open or shorted circuit before excavation.

Underground connections matter

Irrigation valve boxes and buried wiring are wet environments. Connections should be made with components intended for that application.

For diagnosis, see our sprinkler wire tracing service. Call or text (248) 970-0700.

The display is only one clue

A controller may show a station running while a damaged field wire or failed solenoid prevents the valve from opening.

Test the electrical path

Voltage and resistance testing can help isolate the problem between the controller and valve. If the valve is buried, wire tracing can help locate it.

Then evaluate water flow

If the electrical side works but the zone remains weak or dry, the valve or hydraulic side may be the problem.

See our controller troubleshooting service and valve and solenoid repair service.

Wire and valve locator

The transmitter connects to the irrigation circuit and the receiver follows the signal above ground. Changes in the signal can help narrow the probable valve location.

Electrical meter

Resistance and voltage measurements help determine whether the circuit is open, shorted or reaching the valve solenoid normally.

Why both tools matter

Locating tells you where the circuit runs. Electrical testing helps determine what failed. Together they reduce unnecessary excavation and parts replacement.

Learn more about our valve locating and wire tracing service. Call or text (248) 970-0700.

Controller operation

Check station output, programming, start times, sensor settings and any smart-controller behavior related to the complaint.

Valve and electrical path

When a zone fails, evaluate wiring, splices, solenoid operation and the valve itself.

Pressure and visible leaks

Compare zone performance, look for water surfacing and determine whether weak coverage is isolated or system-wide.

Heads, nozzles and coverage

Broken, tilted or blocked heads can create dry areas even when the rest of the zone is operating normally.

Explain the repair

The homeowner should understand what failed and why the recommended repair addresses the problem.

Bloomfield Hills Irrigation provides repair-first residential sprinkler diagnostics. Call or text (248) 970-0700.

Start at the controller

Confirm the station is being commanded on and check whether the controller is producing the expected output.

Test the field circuit

Electrical measurements can help identify an open circuit, short or unusual resistance before the valve box is opened.

Inspect connections at the valve

Underground irrigation splices must tolerate wet conditions. Corrosion or a failed connector can interrupt the circuit even when the solenoid itself is still usable.

Test the solenoid separately

Once the valve is located, the solenoid and valve can be evaluated independently from the field wiring.

Bloomfield Hills Irrigation provides valve, solenoid and low-voltage wiring diagnostics. Call or text (248) 970-0700.

If one zone does not work

The problem may be the station output, field wire, splice, solenoid or valve rather than the controller itself.

If every zone is affected

Check controller power, irrigation water supply and any master-valve or pump requirements before assuming the timer has failed.

App connectivity is a separate issue

A controller can have a Wi-Fi or account problem while the irrigation hardware remains functional—or the app can work perfectly while a field component has failed.

Diagnose before upgrading

Replacing a controller will not repair damaged field wiring, a failed solenoid or an underground leak.

Bloomfield Hills Irrigation troubleshoots existing smart and conventional irrigation controllers. Call or text (248) 970-0700.

Follow the irrigation wiring

Most electric irrigation valves are connected to the controller by low-voltage field wire. A locator can apply a signal to that wire and help trace its route.

Valve activation can provide another clue

Depending on the system and condition of the wiring, specialized locating methods may help narrow down the valve position.

Why valve boxes become difficult to find

Turf grows over lids, beds are expanded, mulch accumulates and previous repairs may leave boxes below grade.

Locate before excavating

Once the probable location is narrowed down, the technician can uncover a much smaller area and inspect the valve and wiring.

For buried sprinkler valve locating in Bloomfield Hills and nearby communities, call or text (248) 970-0700.

Why sprinkler wires fail

Landscape work, digging, corroded splices, rodents, moisture and years of repairs can damage field wiring. A fault may be obvious or intermittent.

What wire tracing does

Tracing equipment sends a signal along the irrigation wire so a technician can follow its approximate underground path and narrow down valve locations or breaks.

Electrical testing comes first

Resistance and voltage testing can help determine whether the problem is at the controller, in the field wire, at a splice or at the valve solenoid.

Why this is better than random digging

Older systems often have undocumented valve locations. Tracing reduces unnecessary excavation and helps focus the repair on the actual circuit.

Bloomfield Hills Irrigation provides residential sprinkler wire tracing and electrical troubleshooting. Call or text (248) 970-0700.