How to Fix Uneven Watering in Your Sprinkler Zones

Uneven watering in your sprinkler system can lead to dry patches, overwatered areas, and higher water bills. If your lawn has inconsistent growth or standing water in certain spots, it’s time to troubleshoot your sprinkler zones.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the common causes of uneven watering and how to fix them for a healthy, well-irrigated lawn.

1. Identify the Problem Areas

Before making adjustments, determine where your sprinkler zones are underwatering or overwatering. Look for:

• Dry spots – Grass turning brown, soil cracking, or plants wilting
• Overwatered areas – Puddles, mushy soil, or fungal growth
• Mismatched growth – Some sections of the lawn growing faster or greener than others

How to Test Your Sprinkler Coverage:

• Place empty tuna cans or measuring cups in different areas of the zone.
• Run the sprinkler system for 10–15 minutes.
• Compare water levels—if some cans are full while others are barely wet, your coverage is uneven.

2. Check for Clogged or Damaged Sprinkler Heads

Blocked or broken sprinkler heads can prevent water from reaching all areas of the zone.

How to Fix:

• Turn off the system and inspect each head for dirt, debris, or cracks.
• Use a needle or wire to clear any clogged nozzles.
• Replace broken or leaking sprinkler heads with the correct model for your system.

3. Adjust Sprinkler Head Positioning

If a sprinkler head is tilted, blocked by landscaping, or too low in the ground, it can cause uneven watering.

How to Fix:

• Raise or lower the sprinkler heads to ensure water sprays evenly.
• Trim plants or grass that obstruct water flow.
• Use risers to lift low sprinkler heads if they are getting buried.

4. Verify Sprinkler Head Type & Spacing

Using the wrong type of sprinkler head or improper spacing between them can lead to overlapping or gaps in coverage.

How to Fix:

• Ensure that spray heads are spaced appropriately—overlapping slightly for head-to-head coverage.
• Avoid mixing rotor heads and spray heads in the same zone, as they have different watering rates.
• Upgrade to high-efficiency nozzles for more even distribution.

5. Check for Water Pressure Issues

Too much or too little pressure can cause sprinklers to over-spray or underperform.

How to Fix:

• If pressure is too high, install a pressure regulator or adjust the system’s valve.
• If pressure is too low, check for leaks or increase the pipe size for better flow.

6. Adjust the Sprinkler Timer & Run Time

If some areas are drying out while others are overwatered, your watering schedule may need adjustments.

How to Fix:

• Reduce watering times in zones that retain moisture longer.
• Increase time for zones with sandy soil or high sun exposure.
• Use a smart sprinkler controller that adjusts schedules based on weather and soil conditions.

7. Fix Zone Overlap & Runoff Issues

If water is running off sidewalks or pooling in one area, it means your zones are not balanced properly.

How to Fix:

• Adjust the arc and radius of sprinkler heads to avoid wasteful overlap.
• Use cycle-and-soak watering—run sprinklers for shorter periods, allowing soil to absorb water before running again.

8. Upgrade to a Smart Irrigation System

If your system is still struggling with uneven watering, a smart sprinkler controller can make automatic adjustments based on real-time data.

Benefits of Smart Controllers:

• Adjusts watering based on weather conditions
• Uses soil moisture sensors to prevent overwatering
• Customizes watering for different zones