Keeping your lawn green without drowning it? That’s where sprinkler calibration comes in. At Lee’s General Landscaping, we see this all the time—sprinklers blasting the sidewalk, some spots dry as toast, and others soaked like a swamp. Let’s fix that.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to calibrate your sprinkler heads the right way. It’s simple, it’s smart, and it’ll save you time, water, and money.
Why Calibrate Sprinkler Heads?
If your sprinkler system is watering unevenly, you’re likely:
- Wasting water (and money)
- Creating brown patches or soggy areas
- Encouraging shallow root growth or fungal disease
By calibrating your system, you ensure your plants and lawn get exactly what they need—and nothing more.
Signs Your Sprinklers Need Calibration
- Uneven watering (dry spots or puddles)
- Water running off into the street or down the driveway
- Sprinkler heads spraying the fence, sidewalk, or house
- High water bills even though your lawn looks thirsty
Tools You’ll Need
- A few empty tuna cans or flat-bottom containers
- A measuring tape or ruler
- A stopwatch (or your phone timer)
- Pen and paper to jot down results
Step-by-Step: How to Calibrate Your Sprinkler System
1. Place Your Containers
Put 4–6 small containers around your lawn where your sprinklers hit. Spread them out evenly, covering different zones of your system.
2. Run Your Sprinklers
Turn the system on for exactly 15 minutes.
3. Measure the Water
After 15 minutes, measure the depth of water in each container using your ruler. Write it down.
4. Calculate the Average
Add up all the measurements, divide by the number of containers, and you’ve got your average output.
Example: 0.5″ + 0.6″ + 0.4″ + 0.5″ + 0.7″ = 2.7″ / 5 = 0.54 inches in 15 minutes
5. Figure Out How Long to Run Your System
Most lawns need about 1 inch of water per week, depending on the weather.
So if you’re getting 0.5 inches in 15 minutes, you’ll need to water for 30 minutes total per week. That could be 15 minutes twice a week.
Fine-Tuning Your Sprinkler Heads
Once you’ve calibrated the time, adjust the sprinkler heads to fine-tune the coverage:
- Check spray direction: Make sure water isn’t hitting pavement or fences.
- Adjust spray radius: Shorten or lengthen the distance as needed.
- Level the heads: Tilted heads lead to uneven coverage.
- Clean clogged nozzles: A bit of debris can mess up the pattern.
If the system still seems off, it might be time to replace nozzles or valves—or have us come take a look.
Bonus: Smart Controllers & Weather Sensors
Seattle’s weather changes on a dime. If you’re ready to step up your watering game, consider a smart irrigation controller that adjusts based on real-time weather, soil moisture, and plant needs. These can cut your water use by up to 30%.
Final Thoughts
Sprinkler calibration might not sound glamorous, but it’s one of the easiest ways to:
- Grow a stronger, greener lawn
- Stop wasting water
- Keep your landscape low-maintenance
Want help dialing in your sprinkler system? Lee’s General Landscaping offers irrigation audits, repairs, and seasonal tune-ups for Seattle homeowners. Drop us a line—we’re happy to help you get your system running like a well-oiled (and well-watered) machine.
