Install a Sprinkler System

Installing a lawn sprinkler system will give you a green, lush lawn to enjoy even when the dry weather withers the neighbor's. This is not a job for amateurs, but with a little research and some hard work, it can be done.

Steps

  1. Draw a diagram, to scale if possible, of your lawn and garden areas you wish to irrigate. This will enable you to plan the routing of pipelines and placement of sprinkler heads so you can purchase your materials.
  2. Divide the areas into rectangles (if possible) of about 1200 square feet each. These will be your "zones", or areas which will be watered as a unit. Larger areas will require special heads and a higher volume of water than you can normally get from a residential water system.
  3. Chose the appropriate sprinkler heads to cover your zone, using pop-up impulse or gear driven heads for wide grassy areas, shrub heads or bubblers for shrubs and flowers, and fixed pop-up heads for locations adjoining buildings or paved areas like driveways and streets.
  4. Mark the location of each head in accordance with the spraying distance of the heads you choose. Rain Bird R-50's, a common good quality head, will spray an arc, semicircle, or full circle about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} in diameter, so heads can be placed about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} apart to allow some overlap.
  5. Count the number of heads you use on a zone, and add the gallon per minute volume for each one. You should find the typical gear drive head can be rated from 1.5 gpm to 4 gpm, depending on the nozzle diameter. Fixed pop-ups generally run about 1 gpm. Add the total of gpm of the zone's heads, and use this number to size your pipe. As a rule of thumb, a zone with 5-7 heads should require about 12-15 gpm, with the water pressure supplied at a minimum of 20 psi (pounds per square inch). To supply this zone you will need a one inch main pipe (line), with {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} branch lines from your main.
  6. Draw the main line from the location where your plan to install your control valves, time (if automatically operated), and backflow preventer.
  7. Draw branch lines from the main line to each head. You can route a branch line to more than one head if you use a {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} pipe, but two should be the limit. Further down the line, you may decrease the size of the main to {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}, also, since near the end it will be supplying only 2 or 3 heads.
  8. Use this layout to mark the locations for your pipe ditches and heads, and flag them using markers, survey flags, or ribbons stuck to the ground with large nails. Digging the ditch does not have to be precise if you are using PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipe, as this material will bend fairly easily.
  9. Dig your ditches. Use an axe or grubbing hoe to cut the turf, taking care to set it aside in clumps so it can be replaced when you are finished. Use a trenching shovel to dig the ditch at least {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} below the frost level for your area. The ditch should be at least {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} deep to protect the pipe even in warm climates.
  10. Spread your pipe out along your ditches, along with "tees", "elbows", and bushings for reducing pipe sizes and threading on the sprinkler heads. "Funny pipe" is a flexible butyl rubber pipe used in sprinkler systems, which has its own unique fittings that slip into the pipes without glue or clamps, and adaptors to thread it into the PVC branch lines and the sprinkler heads. This product allows the heads to be adjusted for height, and is forgiving if you are prone to drive over the head with a riding lawn mower or vehicle.
  11. Install your "risers" where each sprinkler head will be located, making sure the terminal fitting is the correct thread size for the head.
  12. Tie the main line to the manifold at the timer or control valves, with the appropriate valve for the type of control you are using.
  13. Tie the water supply line into the manifold on the supply side. Be sure to use a backflow preventer so that if the water system loses pressure you will not syphon water from the sprinkler system into the potable water, causing a potential contamination.
  14. Turn the control valve on that supplies your zone, and allow it to flush the pipes of any debris or dirt which has gotten into them. This should only take a minute or two, but doing this before installing your sprinkler heads will prevent clogged heads later on.
  15. Install your sprinkler heads. Place the heads, according to your plan, where you have chosen them to go. Bury the head deeply enough that the soil will support them and they will be slightly recess below the top of the turf at your preferred mowing height. Pack the soil firmly around the heads to hold them in position.
  16. Turn your zone valve back on, and observe the spray coverage and direction of each head. You can change the total rotation of gear drive heads from O degrees to 360 degrees, and the spray pattern and distance with the adjusting features designed in your particular head. Because this can vary greatly from one manufacturer to another, read the literature that comes with your heads.
  17. Walk the length of your ditches to check for water leaks, and when you are satisfied there are none, turn the valve off and backfill your ditches, packing the soil in firmly.
  18. Replace the sod you removed and saved at the beginning of your ditch digging operation, and rake the left over roots, rocks, etc. up.
  19. Go on to your next zone, if you have successfully completed your first one.



Tips

  • Keep any sprinkler head adjusting tools, keys, etc. and spare parts for future use.
  • Use low-water, drought resistant planting where ever possible, and try to use native species which should be acclimated to your location and thus will require less water.
  • If you use an automated sprinkler system, install a moisture sensor or rain detector. There is no need to run your sprinkler system during or after a good soaking rain.
  • Many home centers and sprinkler suppliers offer complete sprinkler design if you have a good drawing (plan) of the area you are irrigating. This will come with a list of supplies, measurements, water usage calculations, and sprinkler head requirements.
  • Do not over water your lawn. Most experts recommend watering about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} every 3 to 7 days, depending on soil type and weather conditions. Watering lightly and frequently encourages your lawn to grow shallow, weak root systems.
  • Call the "no cuts" underground utility locator prior to digging.
  • Keep all exposed piping, valves, and associated items protected from the weather, particularly sunlight, which will break down some plastics, and freezing, which may burst pipes.

Warnings

  • Set up your new sprinkler system with a means to winterize it in cold climates, otherwise the pipes, valves, and heads may burst when the water inside them freezes and expands.
  • Be sure to have any underground utilities located prior to digging. Even a shovel can cut a fiber optic cable or telephone line, and without having these located, the person digging is responsible for the cost of down time on the system, and repairs.
  • PVC glue is highly flammable.
  • Dig carefully, avoiding your home water lines, exterior lighting circuits, and waste and sewer lines.

Things You'll Need

  • Shovel
  • Axe or grubbing hoe
  • Tape measure
  • Sprinkler heads
  • Pipe and fittings
  • Glue (for plastic pipes)
  • Hacksaw for cutting PVC or other plastic pipe.

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Sources and Citations

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