If your irrigation system won’t turn on, won’t shut off, sprays weak, floods spots, or just plain underperforms, this episode is for you.

In this Yard Coach Podcast episode, Coach Matt breaks down the big 5 irrigation problems he’s seen after working on hundreds of manual and automatic sprinkler systems over the years. From electrical issues at the timer controller to worn solenoids, clogged nozzles, broken heads, hidden pipe leaks, freeze damage, poor pressure, and underperforming zones—this is a practical, no-fluff look at what goes wrong and what to do next.

Inside this episode:

• Why zones won’t turn on

• What causes weak sprinkler pressure and poor coverage

• Why a valve may not shut off

• How broken heads, cracks, and leaks affect performance

• What freeze damage and spring startup problems can do to your system

• When it makes sense to repair a part—and when it’s smarter to replace it

Coach Matt also shares real-world troubleshooting advice from years in the field, including what to inspect first, what commonly fails, and how to avoid wasting money chasing the wrong fix.

If your yard is getting too much water, not enough water, or the wrong kind of coverage, this episode will help you think through the system before it costs you more time, water, and frustration.

Need more help with your landscape?

Visit Yard Coach YouTube channel.

As always—to your landscape success.

Your landscape lights stopped working… now what?

Before you start digging up your yard or calling a contractor, there’s a simple troubleshooting path that solves most lighting problems fast—and it’s probably not what you think.

In this episode, Coach Matt walks you through the real-world process used to diagnose low voltage landscape lighting issues, including:

• Why the most common failure isn’t your wiring

• The simple checks that can save you hours of frustration

• When it’s a quick fix—and when it’s time to call someone

• How one inexpensive tool can help you diagnose it yourself

Here’s the truth: most homeowners jump straight to worst-case scenarios… when the fix is often something small, simple, and completely avoidable.

And if you’re still running incandescent bulbs, you may be setting yourself up for repeat failures—because they burn out far faster than modern alternatives.

🌱 15-Step DIY Landscaping Checklist

https://www.youryardcoach.com/15-step-diy-landscaping-project-checklist

📘 Landscaping Simplified eBook

https://www.youryardcoach.com/landscapingsimplifiedebook

🎓 Homescape 2.0 Course

https://www.youryardcoach.com/diy-landscape-course

Don’t guess. Don’t dig blindly.

Diagnose it the right way—and fix it once.

You planned it. You prepped it.

Now it’s time to build it—and this is where most DIY projects go wrong.

In Part 2, we walk through the critical build phase of the 15-step landscaping process—where trenching, underground installs, grading, and timing either lock in a successful project… or create problems you’ll be fixing later.

This episode covers:

• How to properly mark and trench for underground systems

• Installing drainage, irrigation, gas, and electrical the right way

• Why poor compaction leads to sinking, shifting, and rework

• The exact order of operations that keeps your project on track

• What needs to be done before you move to finishing work

This is the difference between a project that lasts—and one that becomes a headache.

https://www.youryardcoach.com/15-step-diy-landscaping-project-checklist

💥 Use code NEW15STEP to save $5 (limited time)

• The correct sequence for underground installations

• Why compaction and grading make or break your project

• How to avoid the most expensive DIY mistakes

YouTube: https://cutt.ly/UjR6cKF

Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/yardcoach/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/YardCoach

If you do this phase right, everything that follows gets easier.