Hi folks — Bob Carr here.
If you’ve ever opened your summer water bill and felt your jaw hit the floor, you’re not alone. Every year, I get calls from homeowners asking, “Bob, how can my lawn be brown and my bill be this high?”
After decades of helping Maryland homeowners manage their irrigation systems, I can tell you this: watering isn’t just about turning on a sprinkler — it’s about understanding how water, soil, and timing work together.
The good news? Once you understand what’s really driving that water bill, you can cut your costs dramatically — without giving up the green lawn you love.
Today, I’ll break down what goes into the true cost of watering, the hidden inefficiencies most people never notice, and how to fix them the TLC way.
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The Bill That Tells a Story
Your water bill isn’t just numbers — it’s feedback. It tells the story of how efficiently (or inefficiently) your system is running.
Most homeowners see a spike in summer and assume it’s just “the price of green grass.” But when we analyze those bills, we often find 20–40% of the water is wasted — lost to runoff, overspray, evaporation, or leaks.
That’s like paying for four gallons and watching one go straight down the drain.
When we visit a property, we always start with the water bill. It’s our diagnostic tool. We can tell by usage patterns whether the system’s overwatering, running at night, or losing pressure somewhere. Every line item tells a story.
So, before we ever touch a wrench, we read your story.
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The Myth of “More Water = Greener Lawn”
Here’s one of the biggest myths in lawn care: if the grass looks dry, just water more.
The truth is, overwatering can harm your lawn more than drought ever will.
Too much water suffocates roots, promotes fungus, and encourages shallow growth that burns up when temperatures rise.
Healthy grass actually likes to work a little for its water — deep roots make strong turf.
At TLC, we teach what we call the “Soak and Rest” method:
- Water deeply (usually 20–30 minutes per zone)
- Let it rest for a couple of days
- Allow the roots to reach down for moisture
That pattern trains your lawn to grow stronger, use less water, and stay greener through summer stress.
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Where the Real Waste Happens
Every irrigation system has three main points of water loss — and none of them are obvious unless you know what to look for.
- 💧 1. Misting and Evaporation
If you see fine mist or “fog” coming from your sprinkler heads, that’s water evaporating before it even hits the ground. It’s caused by too much pressure.
Fix: Install pressure-regulated heads or a master pressure valve — they pay for themselves fast.
- 💧 2. Overspray
If your sidewalk, driveway, or fence is getting wetter than your lawn, you’re wasting water. Misaligned heads or poor arc adjustment are the culprits.
Fix: Re-aim or replace nozzles; consider rotary nozzles that throw larger droplets, reducing drift.
- 💧 3. Runoff
If you see puddles forming before a zone finishes, you’re watering too fast for your soil type.
Fix: Split long cycles into shorter, multiple runs with soak time between. Clay-heavy Maryland soil especially benefits from this “cycle and soak” schedule.
We’ve seen homeowners cut water use by up to 35% just by adjusting these three points — no hardware changes required.
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The Hidden Leak Problem
One of the biggest invisible costs is leaks — small, silent, underground leaks.
A broken fitting the size of a pencil eraser can waste up to 6,000 gallons a month. That’s real money.
Signs you might have a leak:
- A single patch of grass that’s always wet or unusually green
- Mushy soil even when irrigation is off
- Water meter spinning when system isn’t running
When TLC runs a startup or mid-season check, we perform a meter test — shutting off all water sources and watching the dial. If it moves, you’ve got a hidden leak.
Leaks aren’t just expensive — they can erode soil, crack patios, and even undermine foundations if left unchecked.
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Timing Is Everything
When you water matters just as much as how much you water.
Best time: early morning, between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m.
Worst time: midday or after dark.
Midday watering evaporates before it helps. Night watering promotes fungus. Early morning hits the sweet spot — cooler air, calm winds, and plenty of daylight to dry excess moisture.
At TLC, we program most systems to run automatically in that window, with adjustments for weather and soil conditions.
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The Smart Controller Revolution
This is one of my favorite advancements in the irrigation world.
Smart controllers — like Hunter Hydrawise, Rain Bird ESP-TM2 with Wi-Fi, or Rachio — use real-time weather data to adjust watering automatically.
They can:
- Skip watering on rainy or humid days
- Shorten cycles during cool weeks
- Increase run times in extreme heat
We’ve seen homeowners cut watering costs by 30–50% with a properly programmed smart controller.
If you’ve got an older controller, this upgrade pays itself off within a single summer. TLC installs and configures them for your lawn’s specific soil, slope, and sun exposure.
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The Pressure Problem No One Talks About
Most city water systems in Maryland fluctuate in pressure throughout the day. That might not sound like a big deal — but it can wreak havoc on your irrigation efficiency.
Too much pressure turns sprinklers into misters; too little causes uneven coverage.
At TLC, we test static and dynamic pressure at every startup and mid-season tune-up. When we find inconsistent PSI, we recommend:
- Pressure regulators for consistent performance
- Zone balancing to match flow with nozzle count
- Master valves to protect against surges
It’s invisible work — you won’t notice it when it’s right, but you’ll definitely notice it when it’s wrong.
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Soil: The Unsung Hero
Here’s something most irrigation companies never mention: the secret to a water-efficient lawn isn’t just in the pipes — it’s in the dirt.
Healthy soil holds moisture longer. Compacted or sandy soil lets water run off or sink too quickly.
We always recommend annual aeration and, if needed, adding organic compost topdressing to improve water retention. Think of it as training your soil to be a better sponge.
Your irrigation system can only perform as well as what it’s feeding.
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TLC’s “Water Audit” Process
When a customer wants to truly understand their system’s performance, we conduct a TLC Water Audit — our in-house diagnostic process that measures exactly how much water is being used, where, and why.
Here’s what’s included:
- Measure static and dynamic water pressure.
- Test flow rate per zone.
- Check for leaks and clogged nozzles.
- Use catch cups to measure distribution uniformity (DU rating).
- Adjust arcs, heads, and scheduling for optimal balance.
The result? A detailed report showing where water is wasted — and exactly how to fix it.
Customers are often shocked to learn how much water (and money) they were losing silently.
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Lighting’s Role in Efficiency
You might not think outdoor lighting has anything to do with irrigation, but it does — especially when it’s installed correctly.
LED fixtures draw far less power and emit less heat, reducing overall system strain on shared circuits and transformers. A well-designed system uses power efficiently and lasts longer — saving not just energy, but maintenance costs.
It’s all part of the TLC philosophy: efficiency everywhere.
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Real-World Results: What Homeowners Are Saving
Here are a few real numbers from TLC clients (names changed for privacy):
- “The Martins” in Towson: After converting to smart control and pressure-regulated heads, their summer bill dropped from $210 to $124/month.
- “The Hancocks” in Pasadena: Adjusted nozzles and fixed two small leaks — saved 8,000 gallons in one billing cycle.
- “The Lees” in Annapolis: Added flow sensors and smart scheduling — reduced annual use by 38%.
These aren’t miracles; they’re maintenance.
The technology exists — it just needs to be applied with care, attention, and good old-fashioned TLC know-how.
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Bob’s Quick-Start Water Savings Checklist
✅ Check your water bill for unusual spikes.
✅ Look for misting heads or soggy patches.
✅ Reprogram your controller for the current season.
✅ Water early in the morning.
✅ Ask about pressure-regulated heads or smart controllers.
✅ Schedule a TLC Water Audit before summer peaks.
Small changes, big impact.
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The Real Cost — and Reward — of Doing It Right
Let’s be honest: watering costs are unavoidable. But waste is optional.
When you invest in efficiency, you’re not just saving money — you’re conserving one of our most valuable natural resources.
Your lawn can be green and responsible. And with the right setup, it practically takes care of itself.
At TLC, we’ve always believed that good stewardship pays off — in greener lawns, lower bills, and happier neighbors. That’s the kind of care that keeps customers with us for decades.
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A Personal Note from Bob
When I started TLC, I used to handwrite every service ticket. I’d jot down little notes for homeowners — “Zone 3 slightly overwatering,” or “Timer adjusted for shade.” I still believe in that kind of attention.
Because it’s not about sprinklers and wiring — it’s about people trusting you to protect their home, their time, and their wallet.
If you’re tired of guessing what’s driving your water bill, let us take a look. We’ll show you where every drop is going — and how to make each one count.
Because at TLC, we don’t just water lawns.
We help homeowners grow smarter.
Ready to save water and money this season?
📞 Call TLC at 410-238-1599 or visit tlcincorporated.com to schedule your Water Audit or system tune-up today.
— Bob Carr