Adjusting your Rain Bird sprinkler heads can help you get the optimal amount of water to your lawn’s different zones. But how do you do it, and what kinds of adjustments can you make? Read on to learn more about why you should adjust your sprinkler heads and how using some simple tools can make helpful changes to the way your lawn is watered.

Why Should I Adjust My Rain Bird Sprinkler Heads?

You may wonder why you should go to the effort of adjusting your Rain Bird sprinkler heads. Here are some of the key benefits of making sprinkler head modifications:

  • Reduce water waste: A few adjustments will distribute water uniformly across your lawn where it is needed, minimizing runoff and waste.
  • Compliance with local regulations: Some states, including California, issue regulations that prohibit wasteful water use to prevent shortages, especially during dry spells. Adjusting your sprinklers can make your lawn irrigation compliant and prevent fines.
  • Save money: Adjusting your sprinkler heads can make your lawn irrigation more efficient, reducing your water bill.
  • Prevent overspraying: Correcting your sprinkler head’s direction and angle can keep it from spraying onto nearby areas like your driveway, sidewalk, or other nearby non-lawn areas. This promotes water conservation.
  • Reduce soil erosion: Adjustments can reduce both the volume and force for spraying water on your lawn. This prevents too much water from hitting your soil hard and eroding it. 

How To Adjust Your Rain Bird Sprinklers

With the right tools, you can make simple adjustments that will benefit your lawn’s health, the environment, and your wallet. Here are different adjustments you can make to your sprinklers and how to accomplish each kind:

Adjusting Your Sprinkler’s Spray Pattern

  • If your Rain Bird sprinkler has an adjustable head, twist its collar to the right or left: Use your fingers to twist the collar and adjust it from 0 to 360 degrees. Turn the water on while you’re making adjustments so you can see how much you want to increase or decrease the spray. Twisting to the left will increase the spray pattern while moving it to the right will decrease it.
  • Check for an adjustable tab on your sprinkler if it’s from the 2SA, 42SA, 42SA+, or 52SA series: Look for the plus and minus symbols on this sprinkler head type. There will be a screw in the middle of these symbols that you can adjust.
  • Use a flat-head screwdriver to adjust the sprinkler tab: Put your screwdriver’s tip on the top of the screw’s head and twist it clockwise towards the plus symbol to increase the spray pattern. Twist the screw counterclockwise to the minus symbol if you want to decrease the spray pattern.

Changing Your Sprinkler’s Spray Distance And Direction

  • Set the fixed left edge on the sprinkler head – this will work for Rain Bird’s 2SA, 42SA, 42SA+, and 52SA Series: Set the starting point for your sprinkler’s water rotation to adjust the watering direction or distance. The center cap will be on the rotor case – move it completely to the right until it stops and it can’t be turned anymore. Then, move it to the left until it stops. Turn the entire rotor case so the left edge is lined up correctly.
  • Adjust the watering direction by hand by moving the sprinkler head: Grip the sprinkler head with two fingers and rotate it manually to aim it at the direction you want it to spray.
  • Adjust your sprinkler’s spray distance using a flat-head screwdriver: Turn the water off so adjustments will be easier to make. Place the tip of your flat-head screwdriver on the head’s center screw and turn it clockwise to decrease spray distance. Make sure the screw sits in front of the nozzle to keep the head secure.

Changing Or Cleaning Your Rain Bird Sprinkler’s Nozzle

  • Turn off your sprinkler: Changing the nozzle will be easier when it isn’t connected to running water. Check if the nozzle is working properly and if the water is dribbling or not spraying.
  • Use pliers to remove the nozzle: Turn the nozzle to the left with your pliers to remove your nozzle from the sprinkler head.
  • Remove the filter screen under the nozzle: Examine the sprinkler head; the screen should be right below the nozzle. Using pliers or your fingers, carefully remove the screen.
  • Clean or replace the filter screen: Check for dirt or debris on the screen and rinse it with clean water. If your filter screen is no longer in good shape, replace it with a new one that matches your Rain Bird sprinkler model.
  • Place the cleaned nozzle or its replacement back on: After getting the replacement nozzle or cleaning your old one, place it in the sprinkler head using pliers. Turn it clockwise until it’s secure.

Need Help Adjusting Your Sprinkler Heads? Call The Professionals!

The information in our guide should help you adjust your Rain Bird sprinkler heads, but if you need an expert’s advice and help, fret not. Contact a professional sprinkler system service provider like SoCal Sprinklers to examine your sprinklers and make adjustments so your system is running smoothly.