Sprinkler System Installation

The most important thing in the landscaping is the plantation and the lawn that you cultivate with such TLC. I know how hectic it gets to drag the garden hose from one corner of the yard to the other. The best way to save all this trouble is by going for sprinkler system installation. One more advantage of installing the sprinkler system is to do it yourself! The sprinkler system gives a distinguishing value to the outdoors and saves the additional time and money that you have to spend to water the yard after every few days. Sprinkler system installation on your own is a relatively easy job when done with proper planning and a bit of logical thinking.

Planning for Sprinkler System Installation
Planning is the main thing that does wonders with any task that you are performing. Sprinkler system installation is no different. When planning for the sprinkler system, it is always necessary to do it right to save the additional trouble for the wrongly worked plan. The following things must be considered when learning about how to install a sprinkler system.

Seeking Permission: Before planning for the sprinkler system installation, get permission from the local building authorities, if necessary. The next thing to do is take out the property sketch which should be showing all the features of your property like driveways, walkways and the plantation. Take the help of the local utility companies to make sure the locations of the underground gas, telephone and the electricity lines. Make sure you jot down all these locations on your sketch.

Water Pressure: Find out the required amount of water pressure that you require for the sprinkler. For that, you can rent a water pressure gauge that can be attached to your hose bibb. Now turn the water in the hose with full speed, measure the water by placing a gallon bucket under the water flow. Divide the time (in seconds) by 60, this will give you the exact gpm (gallon per minute) capacity of the water line. This will give you an idea of the required water pressure. Generally speaking, 20 pounds per square inch can be said as the ideal water pressure rate.

Location: The most important thing while planning for sprinkler system installation is the location of the sprinkler. Draw on the sketch the exact location that you want for the sprinkler heads. Multiply the water throwing distance of the sprinkler head by 1.4. This will give you the idea of the correct distance that is required between two sprinkler heads. Make sure that the watering areas are overlapped by the watering heads.

Division: Divide the water system into the circuits, also divide the gpm capacity of the water line and decide how many water heads you can put in a single circuit. Keep in mind not to place different types of sprinklers on a single circuit, as it can disturb all your previous calculations. For instance, if you want to install the lawn sprinkler and the low-shrub sprinkler, think of making two different circuits for the two. Most important thing is your circuit pipe must never be large than the supply water tap.

Sprinkler System Installation
Material

• PVC pipe and riser
• PVC cleaner
• Hacksaw and pocket knife
• Control valves and strings
• Steep tape measure and 100' measuring tape
• Sprinkler heads and pipe fittings
• Graph paper and emery paper
• String and stop-and-waste valve
• Level, shovel and PVC solvent
• Head controller and anti-siphon valves

Procedure

• Build a manifold, which is a board of control valves. For this you will have to connect the PVC pipes at the length of 3" to 6" away from each other. Manifold collects the water from the supply line and distributes in to all the water circuits, equally or as you require. Manifolds can be buried in the ground as well as placed above the ground, it depends upon your requirements.
• Dig in the ground, V-shaped trenches of around 8" for the pipes. Make sure that the trenches are straight and at a reasonable level. Tap in the water supply line in any of the three locations - just near the water meter, behind the outside hose bibb or along side the main water supply line at the point where it enters the house.
• Install the stop and waste valve for the cause of an emergency shutoff of the water supply and run this line to the manifold. Secure all the installed pipes by a quality duct tape. After securing the pipes, rung the water supply to check and clean the flow of the water. Install the anti-siphon valves to prevent the dirty water from reentering into the house water system.
• Place the pipes in the trenches and start connecting the pipes. Before you start connecting the pipes, make the demo installations of the riser tees. Install the riser tees at an exact 90⁰ angle to the ground. Use the carpenter's square to measure the angles. Assemble the pipes and now install the risers by cutting them exactly at the height that is required for the sprinkler heads. After installing the riser tees, attach the sprinkler heads to them.
• Install the controllers with a low-watt wires which will control the water valves. Finally, install the water controls to each of the circuits and test each circuit by shutting and opening each of the circuit. Backfill the dung in trenches and add some more soil, until each of the trench is slightly raised above the ground levels.

At the end of the sprinkler system installation, make sure to replace the sods and the seeds of the plantations. Sprinkler system is an important step that you need to take into account for proper lawn care. As said before, sprinkler system is really easy to install when done with the knowledge of the exact procedure. I hope this article has solved all your doubts about the sprinkler system installation!