Sprinkler symptoms can overlap. The goal of troubleshooting is not to guess at a part—it is to narrow the problem safely and collect useful observations before deciding what to repair.
01
Water deeply without creating runoff
Bermuda can handle heat when the roots actually get water. Short bursts that run into the gutter only wet the thatch. Watch the first zone and stop the runtime when water starts to leave the lawn.
02
Use cycle-and-soak on caliche and clay
Split the runtime into two or three cycles with a soak between them. That pause lets water move into hard ground instead of sheeting off. Sunny parkways and shaded north sides should not share one number.
03
Water early when the city allows it
Early morning watering loses less water to wind and evaporation. Use the hours and days the City of Abilene is allowing right now. Those rules change, so the controller should be updated when the city updates them.
04
Adjust each zone for its actual exposure
A full-sun front yard, a mesquite-shaded side yard, and a drip bed are three schedules. After heads and valves are working, set each station for the plants and the sun it actually has.
When to request a sprinkler diagnostic
Request help when water will not shut off, a leak is causing erosion, electrical troubleshooting is required, or repeated adjustments do not restore even coverage.
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