What does misting or fogging at the sprinkler head indicate?

• A. It has high pressure
• B. It indicates low pressure
• C. It indicates temperature rise
• D. It indicates high flow rate

Answer: (A)

Misting or fogging happens when water leaves the sprinkler head at too high a pressure, breaking the stream into tiny droplets. That extra energy makes the spray look like a fine mist rather than a defined pattern, and those tiny droplets can drift away with the wind or evaporate before reaching the soil, leading to poor and uneven coverage.

So this is a sign the zone is operating above the nozzle’s intended pressure range. To fix it, measure the zone pressure and bring it into the nozzle’s recommended range—through adjusting or adding a pressure regulator, or selecting a nozzle designed for higher pressure. After adjusting, recheck the spray to ensure a solid pattern and proper coverage.