I'm also having problems with the sprinklers. The ones with the unbreakable upgrade are breaking, and some of them glitch, so I can't replace or repair them and I have to replace them in build mode. I do not have any evil gnomes on my lot. I do not have any fairies, toddlers or otherwise.
I do have mods, but seeing that other people are having the same issue makes me lean towards the idea that this is not mod related. I can try playing an unmodded save if you believe it's a mod problem.
I haven't used sprinklers in ages until earlier this week, so I don't know how long this has been an issue. The unbreakable sprinklers consistently break though.
The Sims Team
