Timer, Controller & Rain Sensor Repair in Coconut Creek, FL
Controllers that skip zones, run on the wrong days or won't shut off, and rain sensors that don't sense rain. Fixed, programmed and explained.
What your controller is in charge of
The controller decides when each zone runs and for how long. When it's wrong, everything downstream looks broken. A zone that never comes on can be a loose wire at the terminal. Watering at 2 p.m. in August can be a clock that reset during an outage. A system running in a downpour usually means the rain sensor quit.
We test the controller, the wiring to each valve and the rain sensor before we recommend anything. Sometimes reprogramming is all it needs. If the controller has failed, we can replace it with a standard model or a Wi-Fi controller and set it up for your watering days, your plants and the season.
Signs your controller or rain sensor needs attention
- Zones running on the wrong days or times. A program that reset after a power loss, or settings that were never updated for the current rules.
- A zone that won't turn on. A broken wire, a bad terminal connection or a failed solenoid at the valve.
- A zone that won't shut off. Often a valve problem rather than the controller, which is why we test both.
- Watering in the rain. A rain sensor that's disconnected, bypassed, set wrong or worn out.
- A blank or flickering screen. Power supply, transformer or surge damage, common after storms.
- An app that can't reach the controller. A Wi-Fi controller that dropped off your network or needs to be paired again.
What we do
- 1
Read the current program
We look at what the controller is set to do and compare it with how the system is actually behaving.
- 2
Test wiring and valves
We check voltage at each zone terminal and at the valve, which separates controller problems from problems out in the yard.
- 3
Repair or replace
We fix connections and replace a failed transformer, rain sensor or controller, keeping whatever still works.
- 4
Program it for your yard
We set start times inside the allowed hours, give each zone a run time that suits its plants, and show you how to make seasonal changes.
Scheduling for Broward's rules and weather
Broward County's year-round irrigation restrictions apply in Coconut Creek. Which days you can water depends on whether your address is odd or even, and midday watering isn't allowed. Your controller should follow those rules, not just water whenever it's convenient, so we program against the county's current schedule for your address.
Florida law also requires automatic sprinkler systems to have working technology that interrupts watering after enough rain, and a rain sensor is the usual way to meet it. The rainy season can bring a storm most afternoons, while winter can go weeks with almost none. A working sensor plus a seasonal schedule change keeps you from watering a soaked lawn in July or shorting it in February.
Repair the controller or replace it?
If the screen works and the program holds, a controller is usually worth keeping. Most problems turn out to be wiring, a transformer or settings. Replacement makes sense when the unit is surge-damaged, won't hold a program, or doesn't have enough stations for your zones.
A Wi-Fi controller lets you change schedules from your phone, and many models adjust for local weather. It isn't required. We'll tell you plainly whether it would help in your yard.
Before you call
Look at the controller screen. If it's blank, check the outlet or breaker it's on, and the transformer if it has a separate one. If it shows the wrong time or date, the program may have reset after an outage. Take a photo of the settings for each program if you can.
Find the rain sensor, usually on a gutter, fence or eave, and check that its wire is still attached. Many controllers have a sensor bypass switch. If yours is set to bypass, the sensor isn't doing anything and the system will water straight through the rain.
Put your controller back in charge.
We'll test it, fix it or replace it, and set a schedule that follows the rules.
Free estimate · No obligation
Timers & rain sensors questions
How do I know if my rain sensor works?
Many sensors have a test button or a cap you can press down to simulate rain. If the zone keeps running while the sensor is tripped, it isn't doing its job. We test it on every visit.
Is a rain sensor required in Florida?
Section 373.62 of the Florida Statutes requires automatic landscape irrigation systems to have working technology that interrupts watering during periods of sufficient moisture. A rain sensor is the most common way to meet that.
Why did my controller start watering at the wrong time?
Power outages are a common cause. Some controllers lose the time or fall back to a default program, and a dead backup battery makes it worse. We reset the program and check the battery.
Do I need a Wi-Fi controller?
No. A standard controller that's programmed correctly works well. Wi-Fi models make seasonal changes easier, and some adjust for weather on their own. We'll explain the trade-off for your system and let you decide.
Can you set my controller to the watering rules?
Yes. We set your days and start times to Broward County's current rules for your address, then show you how to change run times as the seasons turn.
Related services
Sprinkler head & leak repair
Broken heads, hidden leaks, weak spray and dry gaps, fixed with parts that match your zone.Inspections & tune-ups
A zone-by-zone check with schedule changes for the wet and dry seasons.Pump & well system repair
Pumps that won't start or keep cycling, failed relays, clogged intakes and rust staining.Free estimate
Get a price for your sprinkler work.
Tell us what the system is doing. We'll ask a few questions, look at it in person, and give you a written price before any work starts.
- Call us(754) 714-8875
- Text a photo of the problemSend a text to (754) 714-8875
- Send the formOnly your name and phone are required.