Top 3 Irrigation Controller Mistakes for Homeowners to Avoid

Irrigation controllers, also known as sprinkler timers or clocks, are a way to automate your irrigation system, sprinklers, and drip irrigation. They are like the “brain” of your irrigation system, and they control how long each zone of your irrigation is watered and how much. It can help make your scheduling easier as well as offer advanced features like sensor integration and water efficiency. But sometimes, new owners of irrigation controllers might not know how to use them, or they think they know how to use them. Like anything, if you want to preserve its longevity, you need to treat it properly. In this article, we’ll provide some helpful information on how to take care of your irrigation controller and not take it out of commission due to poor mismanagement or lack of awareness. Let’s get into it!

Avoid Overwatering Your Lawn

How Overwatering Hurts Your Irrigation Controller

It might sound surprising, but too much water can be just as harmful as not enough. Many homeowners assume that more watering will automatically lead to a lusher, greener lawn. But when you overwater, your grass can become dependent, leading to shallow root growth and poor lawn health over time. It also invites fungal issues and pests, especially in humid Texas weather. This all happens quietly in the background while your irrigation controller continues to run the same schedule, unaware of the damage it may be contributing to.

And the impact doesn’t stop with your lawn. Overwatering can wear down your irrigation system, including the controller itself. When the controller is constantly running long cycles, it may strain the internal components or the connected sprinkler valves. The more you overuse it, the faster it can decline in performance. If it’s being reprogrammed frequently to try and “fix” problems caused by overwatering, that’s another layer of stress on a device that was supposed to simplify your lawn care. So, while it might seem harmless at first, overwatering slowly chips away at both your lawn’s health and your system’s functionality.

Determining the Right Watering Amount

Knowing how much water your yard actually needs can take some of the pressure off both your controller and your landscaping. Most lawns in Central Texas only need about one inch of water each week, and that includes rainfall. If your controller isn’t equipped with a weather sensor, it’s worth considering one so that it can adjust automatically. That way, if it rains overnight, your sprinklers won’t turn on unnecessarily in the morning, and your system gets a break.

Another tip is to set your irrigation controller to water in short bursts rather than one long session. This technique, called cycle and soak, helps prevent runoff and gives the soil time to absorb the water fully. You may need to tweak the schedule seasonally, but once you have your zones and watering times figured out, the system can work more efficiently with less hands-on adjusting. Over time, your sprinkler heads will stay in better shape, your irrigation controller will last longer, and your grass will look better for it.

You’re Watering During the Wrong Time

What Happens if You Water During the Wrong Time?

The time of day you water can make a huge difference in the health of your lawn and the lifespan of your irrigation system. Many homeowners unknowingly schedule their sprinklers to run in the middle of the afternoon, thinking the sun will help dry things up. But in reality, watering during peak heat hours causes a good portion of that water to evaporate before it even reaches the roots. Your controller is still doing its job, but the effort is wasted, and your water bill increases with nothing to show for it.

On the other end, watering late at night might seem efficient, but it comes with its own problems. When your lawn stays wet for too long without sun exposure, it can create a breeding ground for mildew, rot, and disease. This isn’t just bad for your grass; it also invites pests that thrive in damp environments. If your irrigation controller is set to water at night, it could unintentionally harm your lawn’s ecosystem. Adjusting the time may seem small, but it’s one of the most impactful changes you can make to your overall watering plan.

What is the Best Time to Water?

The best time to water your lawn is in the early morning hours, ideally between 4 AM and 8 AM. During this window, the temperatures are cooler, and there’s less wind to interfere with even water distribution. Your irrigation controller likely has a built-in clock feature that lets you set this exact timeframe with little effort. When your system runs early, the water has time to soak into the soil before the sun gets too strong, and the moisture can actually benefit your grass instead of vanishing into the air.

Setting your controller to these early hours can also help extend the life of your sprinkler heads and valves. Since they’re not working overtime during high-pressure periods of the day, there’s less wear and tear overall. It’s a simple change that pays off in multiple ways. Your grass stays hydrated, your system stays intact, and you’re not left wondering why your lawn still looks patchy even though you’ve been watering. This small adjustment helps your whole irrigation setup function the way it was intended.

Ignoring Leaks and Broken Sprinkler Heads

What Happens if You Ignore the Leaks and Broken Sprinkler Heads?

It’s easy to think a tiny leak in your sprinkler line isn’t a big deal. After all, it’s still watering the grass, right? But over time, even a small leak can lead to wasted water, higher bills, and eventually more damage to your lawn than you might expect. Water that sprays in the wrong direction or leaks into unwanted areas can erode soil, drown plants, or create slippery spots that pose a safety hazard. Your irrigation controller keeps sending signals to that zone, but if the sprinkler head is broken, it can’t deliver water properly.

Ignoring these problems puts your entire irrigation system at risk. Your controller continues to run on schedule, pushing water through lines that might be cracked or clogged. If a sprinkler head is jammed or stuck in the wrong position, the zone might flood or dry out depending on where the water ends up. Over time, this imbalance can stress out other parts of your lawn and lead to uneven growth or brown patches. The longer you let it go, the more complicated and expensive the fix can become.

How To Fix Them Before It’s Too Late

Routine checks can make all the difference. Once every couple of weeks, turn on your sprinkler system manually from the controller and walk around the yard. Look closely at each sprinkler head to make sure it’s popping up and retracting properly. Watch for unusual spray patterns or puddles forming around the heads. Sometimes, a broken head won’t be obvious until you see it in action. These small visual inspections take just a few minutes but can save you from major repairs down the line.
If you spot a leak or a damaged sprinkler, it’s best to repair it as soon as you can. Most hardware stores carry replacement heads, and swapping them out is usually straightforward. But if you’re unsure where the problem starts or how to solve it, calling a professional is a smart move. A quick visit could help you catch issues early and prevent costly water waste. With your irrigation controller doing its job on schedule, your system will work like a well-oiled machine as long as the parts it controls are functioning the way they should.

Conclusion

Now that you know the top 3 mistakes homeowners make with their irrigation controllers, you can easily avoid them before anything serious occurs. However, if you feel your irrigation system is lacking or that your irrigation system is declining in some way, it could be from your irrigation controller or some other subtle problem. It could be something as minor as a broken sprinkler head or something serious that is compromising your entire irrigation system’s integrity. Whatever the reason, it may be costing you money and damaging your yard.

With Pro Green Landscape Solutions, we can lend a hand. With our superior irrigation expertise, we can help locate and resolve the issues. We know how much time and effort you’ve put into your landscape, so we want to help you secure its health before it’s too late. As your local landscaping company, we know the ins and outs of Texas weather and how damaging it can be. So, if your irrigation system is suffering, we can help put a stop to it! Contact us today for a free quote or to book an appointment with us. With our fast customer service, we’ll have your questions answered and problems solved in no time!