If your home has a large yard, you may use an irrigation system to keep the grass lush and green. However, if you have noticed a marked increase in your water bill without knowingly using more water, you may start to suspect that there could be a leak somewhere in the piping. If so, look for the following signs that your yard's irrigation system has a hidden leak.

1. Patches of Grass Grow Differently than the Rest

When your landscape's irrigation system is working properly, water is distributed evenly throughout the yard. For the most part, your grass should grow at the same pace and appear uniform because it is receiving equal amounts of water. However, if you have a leak in one of the pipes, the grass along the line will receive more water than the rest. As a result, you may see patches of grass that are greener and grow faster than the rest of your lawn. 

Also, since the parts of your lawn that are usually fed by the ends of the leaking pipes are not receiving as much water as they should. You may start to see the grass starting to turn brown or bare patches starting to form.

2. Puddles Form in Your Yard When It Is Dry

Another sign that your system has a leak in one of the pipes is the formation of puddles in your yard. Even if it has not rained for a few days or even weeks, you will see small collections of water above where the pipe is leaking.

Even if you do not see any puddles form, the ground may still be saturated with water. To test whether this is the case, look for the patches of grass that are greener than the rest. Then, walk on and around these patches. While you are walking around, see if water gushes up from the ground around your shoes. 

While the saturation is most likely caused by a leak in your irrigation system, there is a possibility that you have a leak in your home's main plumbing line. To test this, turn off the main valve to the irrigation system, and wait a couple of days. If the ground dries up, a leak in the system is the culprit. 

If you notice any of the above signs, your lawn's irrigation system most likely has a leak that needs to be fixed. Contact a landscaping company that provides irrigation repair services, such as A Ronnow Lawn Sprinkler, Inc., to have them inspect the system and discuss your options for fixing the leak.