Sprinkler Timer: Installation, Repair & Replacement
A properly programmed irrigation timer is the heart of an efficient sprinkler system. Whether you’re using a traditional controller or a modern smart timer, the right setup ensures your lawn and plants get the water they need—without waste.
Smart Sprinkler Repair can inspect, adjust, repair or replace any brand or any type of irrigation timer/controller. Problems with timers are often a setting issue. When that's the case we are happy to help you get your timer settings sorted out so that your existing controller does the watering you want, when you want it. But if your timer has failed, you'll find that a new unit is not expensive and replacing it is something we can do for you quickly.
Professional Irrigation Timer Services
Smart Sprinkler Repair provides complete irrigation timer services, including:
- Timer installation (standard & smart)
- Timer programming & optimization
- Timer troubleshooting & repair
- Smart timer upgrades
- Seasonal adjustments
- Zone mapping & labeling
Whether you’re maintaining an older system or upgrading to the latest smart technology, we ensure your irrigation timer is set up for maximum efficiency and plant health.
Top Brands of Irrigation Timers
We install, program, and repair all major irrigation timer brands, including:
- Rain Bird
- Orbit
- Hunter
- Rachio
- Toro
- Irritrol
- Weathermatic
- WeatherTRAK
Each brand offers different features, but all can be optimized for efficient watering when properly configured.
Sprinkler Timer: Settings, Functions and Problems
Average Controller Settings for Watering Frequency & Duration
While every landscape is unique, most irrigation systems follow these general guidelines:
Typical Watering Frequency
- Summer: 2–3 days per week
- Spring/Fall: 1–2 days per week
- Winter: 1 day per week (depending on climate and rainfall)
Typical Watering Duration
- Spray zones (most common type): 5–10 minutes
- Rotor zones: 15–20 minutes
- Impact zones: 15-25 minutes
- Drip irrigation: 30–60 minutes
- To prevent runoff on slopes or clay soil multiple shorter cycles are used
These settings vary based on soil type, plant type, sun exposure, slope, and local watering regulations. Smart Sprinkler Repair can set typical watering frequency and duration for you and then adjust as needed to meet specific needs.
All cities in Los Angeles County have restrictions on watering frequency and duration. We can set your timer to meet those specifications.
A professional timer adjustment ensures maximum efficiency and local water district compliance.
Standard Irrigation Timer Features & Functions
Traditional irrigation timers (also called “standard timers” or “sprinkler controllers”) typically include:
Multiple programs (A, B, C) for different watering schedules
- A grass zone needs more frequent watering than a tree zone
- Vegetable beds or nurseries may water every day of the week
Start times to control when watering begins
- One start time will usually run all zones
- Morning is best, before the sun comes up
- New grass will need watering several times a day
Run times to set how long each zone waters
- Trees and drip lines are the longest, but least frequent
- Grass may get 10-15 minutes
- Plants run the shortest
Manual start for quick testing or extra watering
- Used often during sprinkler tune ups
Seasonal adjustment (%)
- Increase or decrease watering across all zones without reprogramming each individually
Rain delay pauses watering for 24–72 hours
Standard timers are reliable and affordable but require manual adjustments throughout the year.
Common Irrigation Timer Problems
Even the best timers can develop issues over time. The most common problems include:
Incorrect programming, leading to over‑or under‑watering
- Inadvertent setting of multiple start times, or multiple programs
- All zones set to the same frequency and run time, regardless of need
- Incorrect date or time on controller clock
Dead or weak backup battery causing the timer to reset
- If power goes out, a good backup battery will maintain programming
- A bad battery will not save your programming if there is a power failure
Wiring problems between the timer and valves
- Loose connections at the valves is very common
- Damage to the wires during construction or by animals also happens frequently
Unresponsive buttons or display due to age or weather exposure
- Timers designed for indoor installation don’t have a waterproof enclosure and shouldn’t be used outdoors
- Timers mounted in the garage or a shaded location last longest
Zones running at the wrong time
- Clock may be set incorrectly for AM and PM
- Unwanted start times or programs may be running unexpectedly
Power surge damage
- Timer starts running program daily
- Timer runs programs correctly, but some or all zones stop responding correctly. Valves may make clicking sound but zone displays low water pressure or 'dancing' on and off
In many cases, reprogramming alone solves timer problems. However, the dials and switches of any timer, particularly when mounted in the sun or subject to weather, will give out eventually. P
Timers are inexpensive and when the existing timer won’t run zones manually or can’t be reprogrammed, we recommend replacing it.
Sprinkler Timer Types: Standard and Smart
Types of Irrigation Timers
1. Standard (Conventional) Timers
These timers use fixed schedules that are programmed manually using the dials and buttons on the face of the timer. They work well and last many years but require seasonal adjustments and do not automatically respond to weather changes.
2. Smart Irrigation Timers, or Weather Based Irrigation Controllers
Smart timers use your Wi‑Fi to connect to the internet. They collect weather data from local weather stations and use the weather, the season and information about each zone to adjust watering automatically. They are the most efficient option available today.
Smart Timer Values: Why Upgrade?
If your current timer is working correctly, your water bill is not a problem and you aren’t interested in ‘Smart Home’ applications, then we recommend you keep your current timer.
If your timer needs to be replaced anyway, your water bill makes your eyes water or you are interested in adding automated watering to your smart home, a smart timer is the way to go.
Smart irrigation controllers offer significant benefits:
Up to 30% water savings
- Greatest savings noted by customers with high water bills or large yards
Automatic rain shutoff
- Handy if the timer is located in a hard to reach location
- Automatically turns on again when your yard dries out
Weather‑based adjustments
- Waters the most in summer when days are longest, warmest, driest
- Waters the least in winter and turns off completely when it rains
Healthier plants with more precise watering
- Over watering is as common as under watering. Smart timers avoid both
Compliance with local water restrictions
- Smart timers can be programmed to water on just the days specified and only when needed
Remote control from your phone
- Makes checking sprinklers easy
- Timers located in basement or on other side of house no longer a problem
Remote control by your gardener or sprinkler repairman
- Makes testing and repair faster, particularly if your timer is located in a basement, or on the far side of the house
Many cities and water districts offer rebates for installing smart timers (AKA Weather Based Irrigation Controllers), making them even more cost‑effective.
Smart Timer Features & Functions
Smart irrigation controllers include advanced features such as:
- Weather‑based watering using local forecasts
- Soil moisture and evaporation adjustments
- Automatic seasonal changes
- Zone‑specific programming for plant type, soil type, and sun exposure
- Mobile app control for easy adjustments
- Integration with smart home systems (Alexa, Google Home, etc.)
These features ensure your landscape receives exactly the right amount of water—no more, no less.