How Long Should You Run A Sprinkler
A long watering session will make sure the roots get a good drink. The sprinklers should run for about 30 to 35 minutes at a time twice a week. For the first few weeks, your goal is at least 1 inch of water a week, and then gradually increase to 2 to 3 inches per week as the plant matures.
If you are using a drip irrigation system, you will need to adjust the watering schedule to meet the needs of your plant. For example, if you have a plant that needs to be watered every other day, then you may want to set your drip system to water the entire plant once a day.
If you only have one or two plants in your garden, it may not be necessary to change the schedule as often as you would like.
Installing A Lawn Irrigation System
In this post, we outline the steps from start to finish.
Many cities and towns require property owners to have a building permit before starting installation. This is especially applicable to areas that experience frequent droughts and ones where municipal ordinances differ from one locality to the next.
There may also be a need to check for underground utilities or cables to ensure that you can proceed. Planning out the installation helps avoid unnecessary stress.
Determining the pressure and flow rate of the water on your property allows the irrigation company to understand how many sprinklers will be needed to adequately cover the entire lawn.
To test the pressure, a water pressure tester will be hooked up. This offers a reading in pounds per square inch . Make sure all your faucets are turned off, otherwise the reading can be affected.
To understand the flow rate, a five-gallon bucket and timer are all you need. Flow capacity is measured in gallons per minute . All that needs to be done is to fill up the bucket and divide 5 by the number of seconds it takes for it to fill completely. Multiply that number by 60 and you have the GPM of the flow capacity.
Plug In The Water Source
It’s finally time to connect your main water source after your pipe is assembled. Then connect your control valve box directly to the supply line or an existing faucet. At this step, turn off the water at the meter to avoid wasting water and a resulting mud puddle.
We recommend hiring a plumber if your plan is to connect directly to the main line to avoid affecting any other existing underground wires.
If you feel confident doing this yourself, here are some guidelines:
Additionally, connect your PVC pipe to the control box. You can use multiple valves when controlling the water flow to various areas of your yard. After this, attach a riser to each tee connection along your PVC pipe. Risers will connect your water line to the sprinkler heads.
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Connect Sprinkler Heads And An Automatic Timer
Connect a sprinkler head to each riser. Ensure they are facing the right direction and that they are ground level or just above the soil level for best results. To hold them in place, pack soil firmly around the heads.
Mount the timer on the house wall and use a waterproof pipe to wire it to the control valve. Use the manufacturers instructions to attach the wires correctly, or hire a licensed electrician to help you with this step.
Be sure to test each zone to control the valves using the timer.
And remember: rather than overextend a single zone, it’s better to add another line to keep your yard from getting overwatered.
Install The Box And Pre
- 3.1 – Dig a hole approximately 18″ deep and 2′ to 3′ long for the valve access box. The cover of the box should be ground level.
- 3.2 – Line the hole with 2″ of gravel and then set the valve box into the hole.
- 3.3 – Open the main shut off valve to flush debris out of the main line of the sprinkler system.
- 3.4 – Install a stop valve to cut the water supply to the irrigation system and the drain valve in order to drain the irrigation lines in the fall.
- 3.5 – Connect the main water supply line to the pre-assembled valve. The diameter of the PVC pipe must be one size larger than that of the main supply line.
- 3.6 – Connect a 1″ pipe to each valve and run to each designated zone.
- 3.7 – Dig a shallow trench from the valve box to the location for the timer. Lay out the 24-volt underground wire in the trench.
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Selecting A Sprinkler Type
Pull The Pipes With A Vibratory Plow
Pulling polyethylene pipe through the ground is faster and easier than digging trenches and doesnt create a huge mess. Here are some things to consider when pulling pipes using a pipe pulling machine:
- Avoid tree roots.
- Shoot for a depth of about 10 in.
- Feed the pipe into the hole as you pull.
- Avoid pulling pipes that are spliced .
- If youre renting a plow, pull all the pipes right away and return the machine. This may allow you to rent for only a half day and save money.
- A vibratory plow may not work in super-compacted soil. You may need a trencher instead. A local rental center should know what types of soil you are likely to encounter.
- Caution: Always call 811 to have the utilities located before you dig!
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How Do You Install An Inground Sprinkler System
Sprinkler System Installation in 10 Steps
What do I need to know before installing a sprinkler system?
5 Things to Know Before Installing an Irrigation System
- Different Types of Sprinkler Heads. There are a wide range of sprinkler heads that are used in irrigation systems.
- You May Need a Building Permit.
- Different Types of Irrigation Systems.
- Cost of an Irrigation System.
- Excavating Your Yard.
Is a sprinkler system worth it?
An often overlooked benefit to irrigation systems is potential monthly utility savings with reduced water usage. A properly automated and timed irrigation system, coupled with well-matched sprinkler heads and hoses by plant zones, can be a great way to help homeowners reduce overall water usage and utility costs.
Connect The Timer Wires
- Mount the programmable timer on the house wall.
- Strip the insulation from the ends of the 24-volt wires that lead from the zone valves to the timer.
- Attach the wires to the timer terminals, as shown in the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Hire a licensed electrician to run power to the timer, if necessary.
- Set the timer and run a test to make sure that each zone and all the sprinklers are operating properly.
- Finally, adjust any nozzles that are spraying off course.
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Pros And Cons Of Installing A Sprinkler System For Your New Home
When youre building a new home, one important landscaping question you may face is whether to install a permanent irrigation/sprinkler system in your yard. While certainly a convenient and potentially cost-saving option for caring for your lawn, having an irrigation system professionally installed can come with steep upfront costs, and its best done before any landscaping is completed as the soil will need to be dug out and replaced for installation to occur.
In short, there is quite a bit to consider when it comes to adding a residential irrigation system to your yard. Heres what to think about:
Check The Water Flow Rate
Your system will only be as good as your water pressure. So the first thing is to measure the flow in litres per second from the garden tap. You need to know this to tell how many and what type of sprays can be serviced at any one time. This is easy to find out. First, turn off all taps. Then turn one garden tap on full into a 9-litre bucket, but not through the hose. With your watch ready, time how long it takes to fill the bucket in seconds.
Then divide the bucket size by the time to fill in seconds, and multiply by 60. This will give you your flow rate in litres per minute. For example:
9 litre bucket ÷ 20 seconds x 60 = 27 litres per minute
The types and number of sprays you can use at any one time varies according to the brand. So use your flow rate and check the manufacturers brochure in planning your system.
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Install The Ground Stakes
- Once all the irrigation tubing is laid out, secure it with plastic ground stakes. Hook each stake over the tubing and press it into the dirt .
- Space the stakes about 18 to 24 inches apart.
- Note that it’s often necessary to place two stakes very close together and on opposite sides of the tubing to hold it down.
- To prevent the water coming out of the drip-irrigation tubing from evaporating too quicklyand to help hide the tubingcover the area with bark mulch. Spread it at least 4 inches deep and it will also deter weeds from sprouting.
Flush The System With Water
Dont worry about the automatic controller or timer yet just conduct a dry run by flushing the system through with water one time.
You could also do this before installing the heads, but that usually isnt necessary.
This step will get rid of dust and debris that might be lining the pipes, which will allow the first real sprinkling set to flow more smoothly. This will also let you know if you installed the pipes correctly before you spend a lot of time setting up the automatic timer.
If you notice any problems, retrace your steps and carefully look to see where anything might have been installed incorrectly or if any of the equipment is faulty. Once this is all set, you can feel free to fill the trenches back in with the soil and sod that you had displaced earlier.
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Thinking Of Hiring A Pro Heres How Much It Costs To Have A Sprinkler System Installed
As you can tell from the overview above, installing your own lawn sprinkler system is a labor-intensive process. If youre not up for it, dont feel bad. Its better to hire a professional that can complete the job without any hassle or costly mistakes.
Hiring a professional contractor to build your system will cost you between $3,000 to $4,000 for a 1/4-acre lot. While more costly than doing it yourself, a contractor will likely be able to design your system in an efficient way that conserves water over time. Vet them carefully. Request an on-site estimate and ask for their professional certifications and references.
Water Supply Options: Mild Climates
In climates where winter weather doesn’t bring freezing temperatures, tapping your irrigation system into an outside water line makes an easy installation, especially because you won’t have to cut any existing water lines. Unscrew the outdoor faucet and install a tee fitting whose outlet diameter matches the size of your shutoff valve piping. Install nipples on either side of the shutoff valve that will put the connecting elbow exactly at the bottom of the trench.
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Inspecting And Adjusting The Sprinkler System
Choosing A Watering Device
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Cons: Possible Irrigation System Deterrents
In addition to sizeable upfront installation costs, another major factor to consider is ongoing maintenance and repairs and those associated costs. Irrigation systems include a fair amount of moving parts that require periodic adjustment and replacement over time. Sprinkler heads can shift out of alignment and may require manual readjustment to ensure proper coverage of the zones they were designed to water. They may also become damaged during routine yard maintenance, such as mowing, and require complete replacement.
You should also be aware of potential underground damage to water pipes and the need to winterize the system during colder months. Pests and intrusive tree roots have been known to damage underground sections of irrigation systems resulting in costly repairs and damage to the lawn since portions will need to be dug out to access and repair cracked pipes. Irrigation systems installed in colder areas of the country that experience hard freezes will require winterizing to avoid permanent damage since residual water is stored within the underground delivery pipes. Depending on the system installed, winterizing may require more than minimal effort from a homeowner to ensure their system is properly prepared for a potential freeze, so if youre seeking a maintenance-free experience, you should keep this factor in mind.
