Table of Contents
Can I install a sprinkler system myself?
Installing your sprinkler system is doable if you’re willing and able to put in the work and time required to do it right. However, it is one of the more challenging projects a homeowner can take on themselves.
How do you install a lawn sprinkler system?
Sprinkler System Installation in 10 Steps Step 1: In-Ground Sprinkler Overview. Step 2: Dig the Trenches. Step 3: Make the Water Connection. Step 4: Install the Zone Valves. Step 5: Place the Pipes in the Trenches. Step 6: Connect the Pipe at the Valve Box. Step 7: Install the Pop-Up Sprinklers. Step 8: Roll Out the Irrigation.
How do you hook up a sprinkler system to the main water line?
Cut a section out of your main line and install a compression tee fitting.Tapping the basement water meter. Attach the risers. Cut the pipe at each spot where a riser is to go and install a tee fitting. Flush the system. Bring on the sprinkler heads. Install a controller or timing device (optional). Test your system.
How deep are sprinkler pipes?
Dig for Your Sprinkler System The trenches will be relatively shallow, usually 6 to 12 inches deep, depending on your area’s freeze cycles and frost severity. The trench must also be deep enough to allow the sprinklers to retract underground to prevent breakage from lawn machines.
How many lawn sprinklers do I need?
Each square should equal 1 square foot of lawn. Consider the distance of each sprinkler head. If they distribute water in a circumference of 8 feet around, place them 4 feet apart to ensure every part of the lawn gets watered.
How many sprinklers can I put on one valve?
At different pressures, the sprinkler head and nozzle will consume different amounts of water. For example, at 35 pounds per square inch (PSI) the 5000 Series Rotor using the 3.0 nozzle will use 3.11 gallons per minute (GPM). If your home’s water capacity was 10 GPM, you could place 3 heads per zone.
Where are PVC sprinkler lines?
If you don’t immediately hit a pipe, insert your probe rod a few inches to the left and then to the right until you find the pipe. Sprinkler pipes are often 8 inches below the surface, but main supply lines can be up to 18 inches below.
What is the best size pipe for a sprinkler system?
The sprinkler pipe size from the water supply source to a sprinkler shall be not less than 3/4 of an inch (20 mm) in diameter. Threaded adapter fittings at the point where sprinklers are attached to the piping shall be not less than 1/2 of an inch (15 mm) in diameter.
Can you run a sprinkler system off a hose bib?
By connecting a “Y” shaped hose connector to your hose bib, also called a faucet, you’ll also be able to use the bib for hooking up a sprinkler for the kids without disturbing your sprinkler system.
Where do sprinklers get water from?
In-ground sprinkler systems pull their water from one of two sources. This is the major differentiator between a pump system and a metered water system. Pump systems pump water into the sprinkler from a body of water, like a lake or a pond.
How can I find my sprinkler lines without digging?
If you prefer to locate the lines and heads of your system without digging, rent a valve locator or even a metal detector and mark areas once found – better yet, call call 811, a federally mandated service, and ask someone to come out and locate the system for you.
How deep do you trench for sprinklers?
Dig trenches following the string. Mark the sprinkler locations with flags or the stakes. Typical trench depths range from 6 to 12 inches. To run pipe under existing walkways you can “drill” using water pressure.
How far apart do you put pop up sprinklers?
Because of the lower PSI the distance of the spray rarely exceeds 15ft. Meaning that spray heads should never be placed further than 15 ft. apart as this would create dry spots (i.e. dead grass) in your lawn. It is always important to install sprinklers with overlap for full coverage.
How do I calculate sprinkler spacing?
Take the sprinkler head watering DIAMETER and multiply it by 0.6 to get the absolute maximum distance that should ever occur between any two adjacent sprinklers. (Remember most manufacturer’s give you the radius of the sprinkler, you need to multiply by 2 to get the diameter.).
What pressure should a sprinkler system be?
Water pressure is measured in pounds per square inch – also called psi. The average water pressure for most homes and businesses is between 30 psi and 50 psi; most sprinkler systems are designed to use pressures of around 30 psi.
How do I increase water pressure in my sprinkler system?
Remove a few sprinkler heads from each of the zones in your system and cap the plumbing that led to them. Decreasing the number of sprinkler heads will increase the water pressure in those that remain. Install a boost pump on the main irrigation line.
How many sprinkler lines do I need?
With your 10 gpm flow rate at your spigot, you could run two sprinklers at 5 gpm each. The best set-up is to run two hoses from the spigot–each to one sprinkler. Suggested sprinklers for this set-up are the Residential Sled Base Sprinklers or the Tripod Sprinklers.
