Short answer: An irrigation leak usually shows up as one soggy spot, a zone with weak spray, water pooling between watering cycles or a meter that moves when the system is off. Test the system zone by zone, check the valves and heads, and watch the meter. If the meter still moves with irrigation shut off, the leak may be in your service line instead.
An irrigation leak can run for weeks before anyone notices. Sprinklers run at night, the lawn stays green and the only clue is the bill. Because sprinkler lines often cross the main water line, it can be hard to tell which pipe is leaking. SRQ Leak Pros can connect you with a local provider for underground leak detection in Sarasota when the source isn't clear.
Here's how to find the leak, fix the simple ones and know when to call.
How much water can an irrigation leak waste?
More than most people expect. The EPA's WaterSense program says leaks, broken heads and other problems in a sprinkler system can waste up to 25,000 gallons of water and $280 over a six-month irrigation season. The EPA also says the average household's leaks waste more than 9,300 gallons a year.
Signs of an irrigation leak
- A soggy patch or puddle that stays wet between cycles
- One zone with weak spray or heads that don't pop up fully
- Water bubbling around a head or valve box
- Greener, faster-growing grass along one strip
- Sinking soil or a small washout near a pipe
- Mushrooms or algae in one spot
- A meter that moves with the controller off
Is it an irrigation leak or a service line leak?
Both are buried and both make wet spots, so start here.
| Clue | Points to irrigation | Points to service line |
|---|---|---|
| Wet only after watering cycles | Yes | Less likely |
| Wet all the time, even with irrigation off | Mainline before the valves | Yes |
| Meter moves with the controller off | Possible if the irrigation mainline leaks | Possible |
| Meter stops when the irrigation supply valve is closed | Yes | No |
| Wet spot sits on the meter-to-house path | Less likely | Yes |
The key test: close the valve that feeds the irrigation system and watch the meter. If it stops moving, the leak is on the irrigation side. If it keeps moving, look at the service line or the house.
How to find an irrigation leak, step by step
- Turn off all indoor and outdoor water use. Check the meter's flow indicator.
- Close the irrigation supply valve. It's often near the backflow preventer.
- Watch the meter again. If it stops, the leak is in the irrigation system.
- Reopen the supply and run each zone alone. Walk the zone while it runs.
- Look for problem heads. Broken, tilted or stuck heads spray poorly or gush.
- Check the valve boxes. A valve that won't close fully lets water seep out between cycles.
- Look between cycles. The EPA notes that water pooling between watering cycles can signal an underground leak.
Wet spot you can't trace to a sprinkler? Call to reach a local leak detection pro.
Call (941) 541-0938EPA's sprinkler checkup: inspect, connect, direct, select
The EPA's WaterSense program uses four steps for a system tune-up:
- Inspect. Walk each zone. Flag heads that don't pop up fully, are tilted or are broken.
- Connect. Check joints, the pressure regulator and valve boxes. Make sure each valve shuts off completely.
- Direct. Aim heads away from driveways and sidewalks, and overlap coverage so lawns don't get dry spots.
- Select. Use a WaterSense labeled controller that adjusts for weather or soil moisture. The EPA also suggests cycle-and-soak watering to cut runoff.
Common irrigation leak causes and fixes
| Cause | What you see | Typical fix |
|---|---|---|
| Broken or cracked sprinkler head | Geyser or weak spray | Replace the head |
| Worn head seal | Water around the base | Replace the seal or head |
| Stuck zone valve | Water runs after the cycle ends | Clean or replace the diaphragm or valve |
| Cracked lateral line | Soggy strip in one zone | Dig and splice the pipe |
| Mainline leak | Wet area even with zones off | Locate and repair the mainline |
| Root damage | Leak near a tree | Repair and reroute the pipe |
| Shovel or edger damage | Leak after yard work | Splice the line |
A lateral line is the pipe that feeds the heads in one zone. It's only under pressure when that zone runs. The mainline feeds the zone valves and may stay under pressure, so a mainline leak keeps leaking between cycles.
Water restrictions make leaks costlier in Sarasota
The Southwest Florida Water Management District's Modified Phase III water shortage restrictions were extended through March 31, 2027, according to a City of Sarasota update dated September 23, 2026. Under the district's notice, lawn watering is limited to one day a week, set by the last digit of your address. Default hours are 12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m. or 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., unless your city or county sets stricter hours.
A leaking system wastes your one watering day and can still run up the bill. A stuck valve that leaks between days may also break the rules. Check current rules with your city or county and at WaterMatters.org before relying on them.
Florida rules before you dig a sprinkler line
Most sprinkler repairs are shallow, but buried utilities can sit close by. Florida requires a call to Sunshine 811 at least two full business days before digging. A homeowner exemption allows shallow digging on your own single-family land, but only to 10 inches and outside utility easements. Many sprinkler lines sit right in that range.
Sarasota yards and sprinkler leaks
Sandy Sarasota soil drains fast, so a small leak may never puddle. Look for a strip of greener grass or a sunken spot instead. Many homes have older controllers and zones added over the years, which leaves extra joints to fail. Reclaimed water systems in some neighborhoods use purple pipe. Treat those leaks the same way, but tell the provider which system you have.
How to prevent irrigation leaks
- Walk each zone once a month while it runs.
- Replace broken heads right away.
- Mark heads near the driveway so mowers and edgers avoid them.
- Keep the controller set to your watering day and hours.
- Add a rain sensor or a weather-based controller.
- Check the meter with irrigation off once a month.
Local note: big lots and long zones in Lakewood Ranch mean more pipe to watch. Older systems in Venice and Osprey often have added zones with extra joints.
Related reading: if the meter test points away from the sprinklers, learn how to find a water leak underground or check for a water meter leak. A high bill is often the first sign, so see why your water bill is so high. Pool owners should also run a pool bucket test.
When should you call a leak detection professional?
Call a pro when:
- The meter keeps moving with irrigation shut off
- A wet spot sits on the path of the main water line
- You've fixed heads but the bill is still high
- The leak is near the slab, driveway or pool
Can't tell a sprinkler leak from a line leak? Call (941) 541-0938 to reach a local leak detection pro.
Call (941) 541-0938Frequently asked questions
Why is my sprinkler system leaking when it's off?
A zone valve that doesn't close fully or a leak in the mainline can leak between cycles. Close the irrigation supply valve to confirm.
Can an irrigation leak raise my water bill?
Yes. The EPA says sprinkler system problems can waste up to 25,000 gallons over a six-month irrigation season.
How deep are sprinkler lines buried?
Many are shallow, often 6 to 12 inches. Depth varies by installer and yard.
Who fixes irrigation leaks, a plumber or an irrigation pro?
Heads, valves and zone lines are often irrigation work. If the leak may be in the main water line, call a leak detection or plumbing provider.
Sources
Related guides
Service LinesWater Meter Leak: What It Means and Who Fixes It
How to tell a meter box leak from a service line leak, and whether the utility or you should call.
Finding LeaksWhy Is My Water Bill So High? A Step-by-Step Leak Checklist
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