Why is one sprinkler zone not working?

Usually a bad solenoid on that zone's valve, a cut wire, or a controller fault. A dead zone is a wiring or valve problem; weak coverage across a zone is more often a leak or low pressure. A tech tests the valve and wiring to tell them apart.

Can I repair a sprinkler head myself?

Often yes. Swapping a broken pop-up head is a 15-minute job with a $10 to $30 part and no special tools. Leave valves, mainline breaks, and controller wiring to a tech unless you're comfortable with low-voltage and plumbing.

How do I find a good sprinkler repair tech?

Look for someone who diagnoses the zone before quoting, explains the cause, and gives a written estimate. Avoid anyone who recommends a full system replacement on the first visit for what sounds like a single head or valve.

How to find the best sprinkler repair service

Q: How much does sprinkler repair cost?

Most sprinkler repairs run $75 to $250. A service call is usually $75 to $125, a replaced head $10 to $30 in parts, and a broken lateral line $100 to $300. Valve and controller work tends to run higher.

The best sprinkler repair tech diagnoses the zone before quoting, fixes the cause instead of the symptom, and charges a fair service call — not the one who pitches a full system replacement for a single broken head. Most irrigation problems are a $20 part and 30 minutes of labor. The skill is finding which part, and an honest tech finds it before naming a price.

Here's how to vet a repair company, what common fixes cost, and which jobs you can handle yourself before you ever pick up the phone.

What a good repair tech does differently

🔍 Diagnoses by zone

They run each zone, watch the coverage, and test the valve and wiring. A dead zone is a valve or wire problem; patchy coverage is a leak or pressure issue. The fix follows the diagnosis, not a guess.

📝 Quotes the repair, not the system

A broken head or a bad solenoid is a repair, not a reason to rebuild. Be wary of anyone who jumps to "replace the whole system" on the first visit without showing you why.

💧 Checks the backflow and controller

A good tech looks at the whole chain — pressure, backflow, controller program, and rain sensor — because a "broken zone" is sometimes just a controller set wrong or a tripped sensor.

⭐ Has reviews that mention price honesty

Read reviews for the words "fair," "didn't upsell," and "came back." Irrigation is repeat-visit work; the techs people call again are the ones who priced the first job straight.

What sprinkler repairs cost

Real 2026 ranges for common irrigation repairs:

→ $75–$125 — a standard service call or diagnostic visit.
→ $65–$150 — replacing a broken pop-up or rotor head, installed.
→ $75–$200 — a bad valve or solenoid swapped out.
→ $100–$300 — a broken lateral line dug up and repaired.
→ $150–$400 — controller replacement or a wiring fault traced and repaired.

Most single-issue visits land between $75 and $250 all in. Mainline breaks and multi-zone wiring faults run higher.

When you can skip the service call

Plenty of sprinkler fixes are DIY-friendly. Try these before you call:

• A cracked or stuck pop-up head — unscrew the old one, thread in a $10 to $30 replacement, set the spray. No tools beyond your hands.
• A zone that won't start — check the controller program and the rain sensor first; a tripped sensor mimics a dead zone.
• Misaimed spray hitting the driveway — most heads adjust by hand or with a small key, no parts needed.

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Common questions

How much does sprinkler repair cost?

Most single-issue repairs run $75 to $250. A service call is $75 to $125, a replaced head $65 to $150 installed, and a broken line $100 to $300.

Why won't one zone turn on?

Usually a bad solenoid, a cut wire, or a controller fault. A tech tests the valve and wiring to find which. Check the rain sensor and program first — those are free fixes.

Can I fix a head myself?

Usually. A pop-up head swap is a 15-minute job with a cheap part and no tools. Leave valves, mainline breaks, and wiring to a tech.

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