Sprinkler zone not working? 6 checks to do first, and what repairs really cost in Atlanta
Sprinkler repairs in Atlanta start at $95, and valve replacement runs $275 to $1,200 by type and size. Six checks to do first.
Short answer: sprinkler repair on our price list starts at $95. Valve problems run higher: valve replacement is $275 to $1,200 depending on type and size. The final number depends on what we find, which is why we find the cause first. Before you pay anyone, do the six checks below. Some take two minutes and cost nothing.
The 6 checks, in order
- Is the controller actually running that zone? Look at the program. Make sure the zone has a run time and the station isn't skipped. A lot of "broken" zones were simply set to zero minutes after a power outage.
- Is a rain sensor pausing everything? If no zone runs, check for a rain sensor and whether it's switched to "active" after a storm. Most have a bypass switch on the controller.
- Run the zone manually and walk it. Water bubbling up in one spot usually means a cracked lateral line. Heads that rise but barely spray usually mean low pressure from a leak somewhere else on the zone.
- Check the heads in the dead spot. Broken and damaged heads are among the most common repairs we see. Mowers, cars backing over the curb strip and Georgia clay shifting in summer all snap them.
- Find the valve box for that zone. If the zone won't come on at all, the valve is the next suspect. Listen at the box while the zone is called. A click with no water points to a stuck valve or a clogged diaphragm.
- Check the wire. If several zones on the same side of the yard died at once, it's often a cut or corroded wire from the controller, not the valves themselves.
If checks 1–2 fix it, you're done for free. If it's 3–6, that's where the repair costs below come in.
What repairs cost: our price list
| Job | Price |
|---|---|
| Minimum service call | $95 |
| Sprinkler repair (heads, lines, leaks) | from $95 |
| Valve replacement | $275 – $1,200, by type and size |
| Locating a buried valve | from $185 |
Repairs that fix several zones in one visit cost more than a single broken head, and we tell you the number before we start the work.
Why two repairs of the "same" problem cost different amounts
- How many zones are affected. One broken head is quick. A visit that fixes six zones is still one trip, but it adds up.
- Whether the valve can be found. Valve boxes get buried under mulch and sod. Finding one adds time, which is why locating is priced separately.
- Pipe depth and soil. Georgia clay is slow to dig when it's wet and hard as brick when it's dry.
When it's worth calling instead of DIY
Call when water is coming up from the ground, when a zone won't open at all, or when more than one zone failed at the same time. Those are almost always line, valve or wiring problems. Guessing at them usually means replacing parts that weren't broken.
FAQ
How much does a sprinkler repair cost in Atlanta? Sprinkler repair starts at $95 on our price list, and the minimum service call is $95. Valve work and multi-zone repairs cost more.
Why won't one sprinkler zone turn on? In order of likelihood: the controller isn't calling it, a rain sensor is pausing it, the valve is stuck, or a wire is cut. Run the zone manually and listen at the valve box to narrow it down.
How much does it cost to replace a sprinkler valve? $275 to $1,200 depending on valve type and size. Locating a buried valve starts at $185.
Can I fix a broken sprinkler head myself? Often, yes, if the head just snapped off and the riser is intact. If water bubbles from the ground nearby, the line under it is cracked, and that's a bigger repair.
Prices from our price list. Updated October 2026.