Sprinkler Timer, Controller and Rain Sensor Repair in Port Orange, FL
Timers Wi-Fi controllers Rain sensors
The controller decides when and how long every zone runs. When it is set wrong or a rain sensor has quietly failed, a healthy system can still waste water or leave the lawn dry. We repair, program and upgrade the brains of the system.
(386) 357-3675Signs your controller or sensor needs attention
A controller, also called a timer or clock, sends a signal to each valve at the times you set. Most problems we see are not broken controllers at all. They are schedules that were set years ago, never adjusted for the season, or reset to factory settings after a power outage.
A rain sensor is a small device, usually mounted on a gutter or fence, that tells the controller to skip watering after enough rain has fallen. Florida law requires automatic sprinkler systems to have technology that stops them during periods of sufficient moisture, and Volusia County's water conservation rules call for a working rain or soil-moisture sensor on automatic systems. A sensor that is cracked, disconnected or bypassed is easy to miss until you see the sprinklers running in a downpour.
- Sprinklers running in the rain or right after a storm
- Zones watering on the wrong days or at midday
- A blank, flickering or frozen display
- The schedule resets itself after a power blip
- Zones that run far longer or shorter than you set
- A Wi-Fi controller that keeps dropping off the network
How we fix controllers and sensors
What we do
We check the hardware, then the settings, because a correct schedule on a faulty unit is just as wasteful as a wrong schedule on a good one.
Check power and outputs
We confirm the controller has steady power and that each station sends a signal. Burned station outputs and failing transformers are common after lightning and power surges.
Test the rain sensor
We check how the sensor is mounted, whether it is wired in or wireless, and whether the controller actually responds when it trips. Many sensors are in place but switched to bypass.
Program the schedule
We set each zone for its plant type and head type, place the watering days on the ones allowed for your address, and avoid the restricted midday hours. We write the schedule down for you.
Upgrade if it makes sense
If the controller is beyond repair or you want app control, we can install a Wi-Fi controller that adjusts for weather. We explain the options without pushing a particular model.
Controllers and sensors in Port Orange weather
Summer afternoons in Port Orange bring frequent thunderstorms, and lightning is a common cause of controller failures. A nearby strike can travel through the power line or the field wiring and damage station outputs even when the unit still lights up. After a storm, a controller that looks normal but will not run certain zones is worth testing before you replace valves.
Watering rules in Volusia County change with the clock. Residents can water two days a week during daylight saving time and one day a week during standard time, so a controller that is not adjusted each spring and fall will either overwater in winter or break the rules in summer. Reclaimed water customers in Port Orange follow a separate city schedule. A weather-aware Wi-Fi controller can take much of that work off your plate.
Before you call about your controller
Check the simple things first: the controller is plugged in, the outlet has power, the dial or app is set to run rather than off, and the date and time are correct. A surprising number of service calls turn out to be a controller that was paused during a rainy week and never switched back on.
Look at the rain sensor too. If it is mounted where it gets no rain, such as under an eave or a tree, or if its wire has come loose, the controller will never get the signal to skip a cycle.
Need timers and rain sensors in Port Orange?
Tell us what is going on. We will set up a visit and give you a price before any work begins.
Timer, Controller & Rain Sensor Repair: common questions
Straight answers
Do I have to have a rain sensor?
Florida Statutes section 373.62 requires automatic landscape irrigation systems to have technology that interrupts watering during periods of sufficient moisture, and Volusia County's ordinance calls for a working rain or soil-moisture sensor on automatic systems. A rain sensor is the most common way to meet that.
How do I know if my rain sensor works?
Many sensors have a test button or a cap you can press. With a zone running, trigger the sensor and the zone should stop within a few seconds. If it keeps running, the sensor may be disconnected, worn out or set to bypass at the controller.
Is a Wi-Fi controller worth it?
For many homeowners it is. A Wi-Fi controller lets you change the schedule from your phone, can skip cycles when rain is forecast, and makes seasonal changes much easier. It still needs a reliable signal where it is mounted, so we check that first.
Why does my controller lose its schedule?
Most controllers keep the program in memory, but some rely on a backup battery to hold the clock. A dead battery or a damaged unit can reset after a power outage. We can replace the battery or the controller if it keeps happening.
Can you set my system to the right watering days?
Yes. We program the days and start times that match your address under the current county and water management district rules, and we show you how to make the twice-a-year change between daylight saving time and standard time.
Related services
Valve & Wiring Repair
Zones that won't start, won't stop or run on their own, from the valve box to the controller.
Learn more →Drip Irrigation for Beds & Hedges
Low-volume watering for azaleas, hedges and palms that puts water at the roots.
Learn more →Reclaimed Water & Well Systems
Clogged nozzles on reclaimed systems, rust stains and pump cycling on wells.
Learn more →Request an Estimate
Send a request and we will call to talk through what the system is doing, then set up a visit at a time that suits you. Estimates are free, and you approve the price before any repair begins.
Prefer to talk now?
(386) 357-3675Serving Port Orange, South Daytona, Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, Ponce Inlet, New Smyrna Beach, Samsula and the Spruce Creek area.