When is it antisocial to use a sprinkler? Expert advice on the timings and potential rules to watch out for

Sprinklers on a lawn in front of suburban houses.

For some people, the sound of a sprinkler running means summer has arrived. It's the quintessential sound of an early morning, a gentle swishing as the neighborhood keeps its lawns healthy and looking their best.

However, others may find being woken up by the very same noise can be pretty irritating. If a sprinkler is broken, that gentle sound can become an annoying tapping that has the potential to start arguments with the neighbors.