Choosing the Right Sprinkler Heads for Your Yard

When it comes to keeping your lawn healthy and your garden thriving, the type of sprinkler head you use matters more than most homeowners realize. The wrong sprinkler heads can waste water, cause uneven growth, or damage delicate plants. At S&S Sprinklers, we help homeowners in Ogden and surrounding areas choose the right sprinkler heads based on yard size, plant type, water pressure, and layout. This guide will walk you through the most common sprinkler head types and how to select the best ones for your landscape.

Why sprinkler head selection matters

Not all sprinkler heads are created equal—and using the wrong type can lead to major problems in your yard. Different zones have different watering needs, and mismatched heads often result in wasted water, poor coverage, and lawn damage.

Common issues caused by improper sprinkler heads:

• • Overwatering or underwatering in certain areas
  • Patchy or brown grass, especially in corners or near edges
  • High water bills from inefficient output
  • Spray hitting driveways, sidewalks, or buildings, leading to water damage and erosion

If one area of your yard is thriving while another looks dry or soggy, uneven spray patterns or incorrect head types may be the cause.

The benefits of using the right sprinkler heads:

• • Even water coverage across lawns and garden beds
  • Improved plant health and stronger root systems
  • Lower utility bills thanks to better efficiency
  • Less maintenance and fewer repairs down the road

At S&S Sprinklers & Landscaping, we carefully select and adjust sprinkler heads based on your yard’s shape, slope, and plant types—helping you save water and keep your landscape healthy.

Types of sprinkler heads and when to use them

Not all sprinkler heads are created equal. Choosing the right type depends on your yard’s layout, slope, soil conditions, plant types, and even water pressure. Below, we break down the five main sprinkler head types and when they’re most effective.

1. Fixed spray heads

Fixed spray heads produce a constant, fan-shaped spray over a fixed arc (like 90°, 180°, or 360°). They're designed to cover small, defined areas and are typically installed close together for uniform distribution.

Best for:

• • • Small to medium lawns
    • Flower beds or side yards
    • Narrow strips of grass
    • Flat, level terrain with no elevation changes

Pros:

• • • Even, predictable spray patterns
    • Easy to install and adjust
    • Efficient on low-wind days with stable pressure

Cons:

• • • Not effective over long distances
    • Mist easily at high pressure, leading to water waste through evaporation
    • Can overspray if poorly spaced or placed near hardscapes

Example:
If you have a front yard with a rectangular patch of grass next to a sidewalk, fixed spray heads can provide precise coverage without overlapping onto the concrete.

2. Rotor heads

Rotor heads rotate a single or double stream of water back and forth across a set arc. They’re designed for large open spaces and provide slow, deep watering over longer distances than spray heads.

Best for:

• • • Large lawns or athletic fields
    • Rectangular zones or wide-open backyards
    • Areas with higher water pressure

Pros:

• • • Fewer heads needed to cover more ground
    • Adjustable arc and throw distance for custom coverage
    • Promotes deeper root growth due to slower water delivery

Cons:

• • • Needs a minimum PSI to operate correctly
    • Slightly more complicated to maintain and fine-tune
    • Longer watering cycles compared to spray heads

Example:
Homes in Layton or Clinton with large, open lawns often benefit from rotor heads to avoid dry patches and reduce the number of zones needed.

3. Rotary nozzles (MP Rotators)

Rotary nozzles, often referred to as MP Rotators, emit multiple rotating streams of water that apply water more slowly and uniformly than spray heads. They're ideal for retrofitting older systems or upgrading inefficient zones.

Best for:

• • • Sloped yards or uneven terrain
    • Mixed planting zones (grass and shrubs)
    • Homeowners wanting to conserve water

Pros:

• • • Significantly reduces runoff on slopes or clay soils
    • Ideal for areas with low or fluctuating water pressure
    • Delivers highly uniform coverage, reducing dry spots

Cons:

• • • Longer run times needed to achieve adequate watering
    • Can clog without proper filtration or maintenance

Example:
A homeowner in South Ogden with a hilly backyard and both grass and garden beds could benefit from MP Rotators to prevent water waste while delivering deep, even soaking.

4. Drip irrigation emitters

Drip irrigation is the most efficient method of watering non-lawn areas. Water drips slowly from emitters directly at the base of plants, minimizing evaporation and overspray.

Best for:

• • • Garden beds with flowers or vegetables
    • Shrubs and ornamental plants
    • Trees and drought-tolerant landscaping

Pros:

• • • Reduces evaporation and water waste
    • Promotes deep root growth
    • Keeps foliage dry, reducing risk of mildew and disease

Cons:

• • • Needs regular monitoring and flushing to prevent clogs
    • Doesn’t work for lawns or wide turf areas

Example:
For xeriscaped front yards in Clearfield with drought-tolerant plants and mulch, drip irrigation ensures plants get the moisture they need without runoff or waste.

5. Bubblers

Bubblers deliver a large volume of water quickly in a small area. They’re often used for deep root watering in isolated zones, like tree wells or planters.

Best for:

• • • Newly planted trees and shrubs
    • Flower islands or large containers
    • Areas needing short, high-volume soakings

Pros:

• • • Encourages deep, healthy root systems
    • Quick watering for thirsty plants
    • Less water lost to evaporation due to minimal spray

Cons:

• • • Not suitable for lawns or wide areas
    • Can flood the area if not properly regulated or graded

Example:
In Riverdale, where new landscape installations often include young trees, bubblers are frequently added to help those trees establish strong root systems without runoff.

How we match the right sprinkler heads to your landscape

At S&S Sprinklers, we don’t just install sprinkler heads—we design entire systems for optimal performance. During a system tune-up or installation, we assess:

• • Water pressure and flow rate
  • Yard shape and size
  • Elevation changes
  • Plant types and sun exposure
  • Existing sprinkler zones and controller settings

This allows us to choose the most efficient sprinkler heads for every section of your yard. We also adjust head placement and angles to avoid waste and overspray.

Mini case study:
A client in North Ogden was experiencing brown spots in the corners of their lawn. Upon inspection, we found mismatched spray heads with overlapping and underperforming coverage. We replaced them with MP Rotators and adjusted the layout to ensure consistent watering, reducing their water bill and improving lawn health within a month.

Common mistakes homeowners make

When it comes to sprinkler head selection, DIY installs often lead to:

• • Using fixed spray heads in large or uneven areas
  • Mismatching heads with incompatible flow rates
  • Poor spacing, leading to dry spots or puddling
  • Installing heads too high or too low in the soil

If you’re not sure what type of sprinkler head to use—or your current system isn’t delivering results—it’s time to bring in the pros.

Proudly serving Northern Utah

S&S Sprinklers provides expert sprinkler installation, tune-ups, repairs, and full irrigation system upgrades throughout Northern Utah, including:

• • Ogden
  • North Ogden
  • South Ogden
  • Roy
  • Layton
  • Clinton
  • Clearfield
  • Riverdale
  • Pleasant View
  • And other nearby towns

We specialize in helping homeowners select the right sprinkler heads and maintain systems that conserve water while keeping landscapes beautiful.

Get the right sprinkler heads—installed the right way

The type of sprinkler head you choose can make or break your lawn’s health and your water efficiency. S&S Sprinklers has the experience, tools, and local knowledge to help you choose and install the perfect system for your yard.

Call today or request a free estimate to get expert help with your sprinkler heads, irrigation system upgrades, or complete landscaping solutions. We proudly serve homeowners across Ogden and surrounding areas with reliable service and unmatched attention to detail.