Before you can start digging holes and laying pipes to install your sprinkler system, you need to do some preplanning. The main parts of any sprinkler system include: Place stakes or flags in your yard where each sprinkler will go. Now that things are properly up and running, pat yourself on the back and grab a cold one. To drain a low spot under a sprinkler head, use a 90-degree drain elbow. Divide filled gallon containers size by how many seconds it took for it to fill. With the piping connected, start the machine moving forward and lower the blade into the ground. Just push the saddle down onto the pipe at each sprinkler head location, then twist the handle to puncture the piping, so water can flow to the sprinkler. Slide on the rings and crimp them tight with pliers. Why not make the most of your outdoor spaces by giving them a refresh? Manually open each valve and allow the water to flush the pipe and then close it, moving onto the next valve and repeating the process. Connect a hose fitting to the opposite end of the pipe, then dig shallow trenches on either side of the walkway. Different yard configurations and vegetation call for different head styles. The box lid should be flush with the grass. Make any required adjustments to the spray patterns and program the control box to the days and hours you desire the system to operate. Slide the crimp ring onto each pipe and insert the barb fitting. Can This Machine Finally Hunt Down Dark Matter? In addition, you will want to research your local ordinances on water usage on the home lawn. Cooper? ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"If the paint isn't flakey or peeling, you don't need to sand the door. Of course, if you have a large area needing irrigation, these kits might not be the best choice, or youll require several kits to water the entire area.
The products included in this article are available at various home improvement stores, local home centers, and online retailers like Amazon. By submitting your email, you agree to our. swing pipe. Locate the pipe for the water source that you'll be tapping into. Press the saddle valve's collar around the pipe and snap it together. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"If the door is still structurally sound, you can sand the rust spots and treat them with a rust inhibitor and then continue to prime and paint as usual. If drainage isn't required, use a 90-degree elbow at the sprinkler head. WARNING: Check with the local building department to obtain all necessary permits, and contact a one-call center to have the local utilities mark any buried electrical cables, gas lines, or sewer lines. Install an air-gap catch basin on the unit and run a full-size drainpipe to the nearest floor drain. Use a sluice pipe to tunnel under sidewalks.
Run 1-inch schedule 40 PVC pipe from the main water line to a backflow-prevention device and then connect it to the manifold. Run the cable into the panel, strip the wires and connect them according to the manufacturer's instructions. Once you have tested your newly installed lawnsprinkler system and everything works properly, its time for the final step of filling the trenches back in with dirt and replanting any sod you removed. If connecting to the service line, its recommended to hire a plumber to complete this step. Install the reduced-pressure backflow preventer right after the ball valve. Turn the water off again to install the sprinklers. 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. Before you rush out to purchase all your DIY irrigation supplies, you need to determine several important aspects about the flow of water through your system. Space the stakes about 18 to 24 inches apart. Trying to stay as close to scale as possible, draw up a map of your lawn area noting where there are trees, flower beds or other vegetation, as it requires different water requirements than turfgrass.
Mark on the diagram where the control valves and pipes will go. Set the manifold in the valve box.
Many manufacturers will custom-design a system for you that is specific to your yard and region of the country. If necessary, join pipe sections with couplings and PVC cement. Some you can even control with an app on your smart phone. Next, you will want to flush the system by turning the water back on.
When figuring out the zones for your sprinkler system, consider that the turf has different water requirements from trees and shrub, so designate zones according to the water requirements for the specific vegetation growing there. If necessary, join one length of tubing to another with a push-in coupling. Now that you have finally accomplished all the hard work and you have finished installing your lawnsprinkler system, its time to test things out and program the control box, per the manufacturers instructions. Cut into the main water line and splice in a tee fitting with PVC cement and primer. Then reattach the faucet, install a nipple (a short piece of pipe with threads on each end) into the tee fittings stem and finally connect the shut-off valve into that. We equipped this system with three types of heads: spray heads for small grassy sections, rotary heads for the larger areas, and a bubbler for the flower garden. 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. The 5 Best Upholstery Cleaners (2022 Review). When running a main line, it's best to wrap the low-voltage electrical cable around the pipe and pull both at the same time. tubing to various spots in the garden. The brass fitting is sold at hardware stores and home centers. Installing too many heads in a zone with an inadequate flow rate results in the area not being watered properly. Your trench should be 8 to 10 inches deep and 4 inches wide. When tapping into a continuous piping run, use the self-tapping saddle valve mentioned earlier. Next, you want to install the valve manifold by digging a hole slighter bigger than the valve manifold box. Finally, every sprinkler system needs a backflow preventer to keep the sprinkler system from contaminating the homes potable water supply. Connect your control valve to an existing faucet or directly to the service line. Mark the locations of all the trenches and sprinklers with wooden stakes or plastic flags. Finally, adjust any nozzles that are spraying off course. 12 Steps to Install a Sprinkler System Yourself, Eco-Friendly Ways to Remove Leaves From Your Yard, The 13 Best Backyard Plants to Grow for Privacy, 16 Landscape Design Ideas for Your Front and Back Yards.
The hardest part of installing a DIY sprinkler system is laying all the underground water-supply piping. Join a different color-coded wire to the other lead of each zone valve. Follow these steps carefully to ensure your sprinkler project is a success. Hmmmm something went wrong. Use Teflon tape on the threads. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io. Attach the mainwatersupplyline to one end of the valve manifold assembly, securing it by tightening the clamps. One of the advantages of these irrigation kits is you dont have to worry about finding your mainwater line and can quickly hook up to an outdoor faucet. If you receive your water from a well, you need to know the size of the well pump, which is usually noted on the outside of the pump or in the owners manual. The kit comes with all the basic parts and instructions to install the sprinkler system in a weekend.
Line the hole with 2 inches of gravel, then set the valve box into it. A landscape flush with green grass, healthy trees, and colorful flowers increases a home's curb appeal. Hooking Up to a Spigot:When hooking up to a spigot, turn off the water supply going into the house and allow the spigot to drain. In this case, to ensure total coverage, there were eight zones and 48 sprinkler heads. If the sprinkler head is located in a low spot on the property, and needs to be drained occasionally, then install a 90-degree drain elbow instead. deep will give you more room to work. The fit is so snug that it doesn't need a crimp ring. Size of Service Line:To purchase the correct size pipe that matches your existing water service line, be sure to measure it before you purchase the PVC pipe for your lawnsprinkler system. If drainage isnt an issue, install a 90-degree elbow with a barb fitting on one end and a female thread on the other. For an above-ground connection, cut away a short section of pipe in the supply line just big enough for you to slide a slip tee into place. Use a tee connection where each sprinkler will go. Ready to bring your lawn to the next level? Once all the irrigation tubing is laid out, secure it with plastic ground stakes. Then top the bare soil with sod or grass seed. We may earn commission if you buy from a link.
For this installation, we used Rain Bird, a company thats been designing and manufacturing irrigation products since the early 1930s.
You can also find out if you can install the sprinkler system yourself or you need to hire a professional, per state and local regulations. As you can tell from the overview above, installing your own lawn sprinkler system is a labor-intensive process. Listed below are the essential parts youll require for installing your lawnsprinkler system: This essential parts list doesnt include basic tools like shovels, PVC glue, hacksaw or other pipe cutter, landscape flags or stakes, string and a pipe-puller, which you can rent for around $200 at your local machine rental store. If you have the trench too shallow damage can occur to the pipe and it can become exposed. Use 90-degree elbows to join the PVC water pipes in the trenches to the zone valve pipes protruding from the valve box. One thing to do before you get started is to check with your local building department to see if you need a permit for your DIY irrigation system. Get the latest This Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and DIY Smarts projects from our expertsstraight to your inbox. Water Meter Size/Well Size:If you receive your water from a municipal water system, you should be able to read the size of the water meter on the box. If you're at a low spot and need seasonal drainage, install a 90-degree drain ell instead. After the ball valve, install a brass nipple and the reduced-pressure backflow preventer. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the five best solar generators on Amazon to help you find the product thats right for you and your home.
Before you install your sprinkler heads, you need to flush the system of any dirt that might have gotten into the pipes during construction. It's okay to connect PVC to copper here. Tip: Set the tubing in the sun for a few hours and it will soften and be much easier to install. Install a brass drain valve at each low spot of the feed line. If you need to determine the gallons per hour (GPH), multiply the flow rate by 60. The gauge then tells you the water pressure per square inch (psi). pipe. Next, match the size of the outlets with faucet and irrigation pipe you are using. Contact your local utility companies and have them come to your property and mark any underground lines. Amazon Is Running a Huge Sale on Patio Furniture. Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. Following the string, dig your trenches for your pipes, 6 to 12 inches deep. A Red Ventures Company. That, plus how much water each sprinkler head utilizes allow you to install the correct amount of heads. You'll work up a sweat wrestling with the trenching machine, but all parts of the sprinkler system are lightweight and easy to install, about $1,000 to $1,400 for a two-zone system, Tour This Renovated 220-Year-Old Farmhouse, With a wraparound porch and oversize windows that frame the views, an updated rear addition embraces its pastoral settingand readies a well-loved, almost 220-year-old farmhouse for another century of family life. To build your own sprinkler system, you need PVC pipe, sprinkler heads, risers, and a control valve. Hook up your supply of water either by attaching to a spigot or tapping into your mainwater line. Wherever a pipe branches off to a sprinkler head, splice in tee fittings, then attach a short length of flexible piping, which will connect to the sprinkler head. Please come back later and try again. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Typically you can build your own sprinkler system for less than $1,500. Now, connect a sprinkler head to the elbow with a threaded riser, or make an offset swing pipe. You want to flush any dirt or debris that made its way into the pipes before you install the sprinkler heads, as they can clog up. Gone are your days of dragging sprinklers all over the yard to quench its thirst. Those living in cold climates or dont have adequate water pressure from the spigot should tap into their mainwater line. All Rights Reserved. Dig a small depression under the drain, and fill it with sand and gravel. A standard, surface-level backflow preventer will work, but it must be placed 12 in. To keep from digging up the entire lawn, you can use a pipe-puller to install the PVC piping. Where a pipe connects to drip-irrigation tubing, attach an upturned elbow, a short vertical pipe, and a pressure reducer with a microfilter. Be sure to position it upright with the threads at the top. at a time and tamp the soil with a rubber mallet. Connect a garden hose to the pipe, turn the water on high and push the nozzle under the walkway to blast a hole clear through to the other side. Run the zone-valve cable to the control box. You can make your life of filling the trench back in a lot easier by laying soil to one side and placing the sod to the other. As with any large home improvement project, there are advantages and disadvantages of doing the job yourself and hiring a professional sprinkler installation company to do the job. You can use multiple valves to control water flow to different zones of your yard. Installing your sprinkler system is doable if youre willing and able to put in the work and time required to do it right. Turn off the water to the house at the meter. Accomplish this efficiently by using a lawn sprinkler system. In addition, the kits come with an easily programmed controller and most with a rain delay feature that suspends irrigation for several days without losing your program. Next, install a nipple into the stem of the tee fitting and finally connect the shut-off valve into that. By metering out a precise, consistent amount of water, automatic sprinklers not only make it easier to maintain a lush, green lawn theyll also save you money by not wasting water.
Once your pipe is assembled, you are ready to connect to the main water source.
"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Do I need to sand my door if it has already been painted or does it just need to be primed? Assemble the zone valve above ground, and then cement them to the underground piping. It's important to first determine the water pressure at an outdoor faucet, using a simple pressure gauge. Install a plastic, inline drain fitting on the downstream side of each valve and connect the cable wires. Our cable had 10 wires and each zone valve had two lead wires. Mount the programmable timer on the house wall. Multiply that result by 60 and you end up with the flow rate per minute. A Suburban Lot Turns into Magical Garden Rooms, How to Install a Water-Saving Drip-Irrigation System, Backyard Renovation: From Dirt Patch to Perennial Paradise. deep, but 8 to 10 in. However, there are DIY sprinkler systems now available that can save you up to 40 percent over a professional installation. Next, drill through your home's rim joist, and run copper pipe and electrical cable through the hole and to the ground. Of course, this isnt the case when installing it yourself, as you are responsible for fixing any malfunctions and their cost.
Then, join the two elbows with a length of 3/8-in. Draw the crimp rings together with crimp-ring pliers. Once the piping is completed, turn on the water to flush any dirt or debris from the system.
above the highest point of the yard. A timer can be programmed to schedule different watering zones of your yard at various times. Finish by backfilling the hole while tamping down the soil every 4 in. The manufacturer will supply instructions on how to check your water pressuretypically, you need at least 30 to 35 psi (pounds per square inch) of pressure and about 10 to 13 gpm (gallons per minute) of water flow to support a sprinkler system. You will feel it click when it locks in place. Youll need to dig a trench for the pipe and properly connect the system to your water service line. When you get to the end of the layout, cut the tubing with a utility knife if necessary, flush it with water, fold it over, and slip on an end clamp. Turn on the main water supply to the system and let it go until any debris has flowed out. Push the barbed fitting all the way into the pipe; no glue or hose clamp is needed. Connect the elbow to the sprinkler head with 3/8-in. Continue making connections in this way until you've reached the last valve. Using a pressure gauge, attach it to an outside faucet and turn on the water, making sure all the water is turned off both inside and outside the home when you do this. Next, you will want to check with your local county offices to see if you need to pull a permit to install a sprinkler system in your yard. Taking into consideration any obstructions like a slope, note on the map the proposed placement of your sprinkler heads. Glue a 90-degree PVC elbow onto a male PVC adapter. A solar generator gives you backup energy from the sun should your electricity fail. Polyethylene pipe is joined together with barb fittings, which can be secured with common hose clamps, but stainless steel crimp rings are easier to install. Pipe the catch basin to a nearby floor drain with 1-in.
Then were left with the dilemma of what to do with these leaves. Youll also need a drain valve in order to drain the overhead line in winter. If you are tired of playing the role of the human sprinkler system, manually moving portable sprinklers from one area of the yard to another, you may be considering installing a DIY in-ground sprinkler system. Thread the valve into the tee with Teflon tape. Send the water pressure information to the sprinkler manufacturer you have chosen, along with a sketch of your property, including all critical dimensions. Be sure that they are placed pointing in the right direction and that they connect at, or just above, the soil level to ensure proper function. Note that it's often necessary to place two stakes very close together and on opposite sides of the tubing to hold it down. Mount the control panel to a nearby wall. polyethylene swing pipe. If you want to know how to install your own sprinkler system, though, here are the basics to know.
Following the plan, lay PVC pipe in all the trenches leading from the valve box. Make sure any pop-ups are flush with the soil line. Cleaning furniture upholstery can be tricky, as it requires a specific cleaner that eliminates stains without damaging the material. Explore our City Guides, Cost Calculator and Top Deals, plus check out your inbox for our welcome email & moving checklist. Use Teflon tape, but no crimp rings. No one head fits all situations. In-ground sprinkler systems are available from professional contractors, but theyre not cheap, costing on average between $2,500 and $3,500 for a one-quarter acre lot. Nancy Price Foreman, Owner and Director of Operations with Drilling and Irrigation Services, LLC in Melbourne, Fla., notes that other than the job being done by irrigation specialists when you hire a professional to do the job the system is covered by a warranty. Your PVC sprinkler pipe will connect to the control valve as well. Now that you have mapped out your area for installing your home sprinkler system and designated zones based on the plants growing there, you will need to select the best sprinkler head types for each area. Once you figure these out, you can purchase the correct parts. Request an on-site estimate and ask for their professional certifications and references. Next, following the manufacturer's directions, glue together the manifold and attach the zone valves. At the end, dig a hole about 18 inches deep and 2 to 3 feet long. We also bought some self-tapping saddles, which provide the quickest way to tap into the polyethylene piping without having to cut or drill the pipe.
The products included in this article are available at various home improvement stores, local home centers, and online retailers like Amazon. By submitting your email, you agree to our. swing pipe. Locate the pipe for the water source that you'll be tapping into. Press the saddle valve's collar around the pipe and snap it together. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"If the door is still structurally sound, you can sand the rust spots and treat them with a rust inhibitor and then continue to prime and paint as usual. If drainage isn't required, use a 90-degree elbow at the sprinkler head. WARNING: Check with the local building department to obtain all necessary permits, and contact a one-call center to have the local utilities mark any buried electrical cables, gas lines, or sewer lines. Install an air-gap catch basin on the unit and run a full-size drainpipe to the nearest floor drain. Use a sluice pipe to tunnel under sidewalks.
Run 1-inch schedule 40 PVC pipe from the main water line to a backflow-prevention device and then connect it to the manifold. Run the cable into the panel, strip the wires and connect them according to the manufacturer's instructions. Once you have tested your newly installed lawnsprinkler system and everything works properly, its time for the final step of filling the trenches back in with dirt and replanting any sod you removed. If connecting to the service line, its recommended to hire a plumber to complete this step. Install the reduced-pressure backflow preventer right after the ball valve. Turn the water off again to install the sprinklers. 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. Before you rush out to purchase all your DIY irrigation supplies, you need to determine several important aspects about the flow of water through your system. Space the stakes about 18 to 24 inches apart. Trying to stay as close to scale as possible, draw up a map of your lawn area noting where there are trees, flower beds or other vegetation, as it requires different water requirements than turfgrass.
Mark on the diagram where the control valves and pipes will go. Set the manifold in the valve box.
Many manufacturers will custom-design a system for you that is specific to your yard and region of the country. If necessary, join pipe sections with couplings and PVC cement. Some you can even control with an app on your smart phone. Next, you will want to flush the system by turning the water back on.
When figuring out the zones for your sprinkler system, consider that the turf has different water requirements from trees and shrub, so designate zones according to the water requirements for the specific vegetation growing there. If necessary, join one length of tubing to another with a push-in coupling. Now that you have finally accomplished all the hard work and you have finished installing your lawnsprinkler system, its time to test things out and program the control box, per the manufacturers instructions. Cut into the main water line and splice in a tee fitting with PVC cement and primer. Then reattach the faucet, install a nipple (a short piece of pipe with threads on each end) into the tee fittings stem and finally connect the shut-off valve into that. We equipped this system with three types of heads: spray heads for small grassy sections, rotary heads for the larger areas, and a bubbler for the flower garden. 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. The 5 Best Upholstery Cleaners (2022 Review). When running a main line, it's best to wrap the low-voltage electrical cable around the pipe and pull both at the same time. tubing to various spots in the garden. The brass fitting is sold at hardware stores and home centers. Installing too many heads in a zone with an inadequate flow rate results in the area not being watered properly. Your trench should be 8 to 10 inches deep and 4 inches wide. When tapping into a continuous piping run, use the self-tapping saddle valve mentioned earlier. Next, you want to install the valve manifold by digging a hole slighter bigger than the valve manifold box. Finally, every sprinkler system needs a backflow preventer to keep the sprinkler system from contaminating the homes potable water supply. Connect your control valve to an existing faucet or directly to the service line. Mark the locations of all the trenches and sprinklers with wooden stakes or plastic flags. Finally, adjust any nozzles that are spraying off course. 12 Steps to Install a Sprinkler System Yourself, Eco-Friendly Ways to Remove Leaves From Your Yard, The 13 Best Backyard Plants to Grow for Privacy, 16 Landscape Design Ideas for Your Front and Back Yards.
The hardest part of installing a DIY sprinkler system is laying all the underground water-supply piping. Join a different color-coded wire to the other lead of each zone valve. Follow these steps carefully to ensure your sprinkler project is a success. Hmmmm something went wrong. Use Teflon tape on the threads. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io. Attach the mainwatersupplyline to one end of the valve manifold assembly, securing it by tightening the clamps. One of the advantages of these irrigation kits is you dont have to worry about finding your mainwater line and can quickly hook up to an outdoor faucet. If you receive your water from a well, you need to know the size of the well pump, which is usually noted on the outside of the pump or in the owners manual. The kit comes with all the basic parts and instructions to install the sprinkler system in a weekend.
Line the hole with 2 inches of gravel, then set the valve box into it. A landscape flush with green grass, healthy trees, and colorful flowers increases a home's curb appeal. Hooking Up to a Spigot:When hooking up to a spigot, turn off the water supply going into the house and allow the spigot to drain. In this case, to ensure total coverage, there were eight zones and 48 sprinkler heads. If the sprinkler head is located in a low spot on the property, and needs to be drained occasionally, then install a 90-degree drain elbow instead. deep will give you more room to work. The fit is so snug that it doesn't need a crimp ring. Size of Service Line:To purchase the correct size pipe that matches your existing water service line, be sure to measure it before you purchase the PVC pipe for your lawnsprinkler system. If drainage isnt an issue, install a 90-degree elbow with a barb fitting on one end and a female thread on the other. For an above-ground connection, cut away a short section of pipe in the supply line just big enough for you to slide a slip tee into place. Use a tee connection where each sprinkler will go. Ready to bring your lawn to the next level? Once all the irrigation tubing is laid out, secure it with plastic ground stakes. Then top the bare soil with sod or grass seed. We may earn commission if you buy from a link.
For this installation, we used Rain Bird, a company thats been designing and manufacturing irrigation products since the early 1930s.
You can also find out if you can install the sprinkler system yourself or you need to hire a professional, per state and local regulations. As you can tell from the overview above, installing your own lawn sprinkler system is a labor-intensive process. Listed below are the essential parts youll require for installing your lawnsprinkler system: This essential parts list doesnt include basic tools like shovels, PVC glue, hacksaw or other pipe cutter, landscape flags or stakes, string and a pipe-puller, which you can rent for around $200 at your local machine rental store. If you have the trench too shallow damage can occur to the pipe and it can become exposed. Use 90-degree elbows to join the PVC water pipes in the trenches to the zone valve pipes protruding from the valve box. One thing to do before you get started is to check with your local building department to see if you need a permit for your DIY irrigation system. Get the latest This Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and DIY Smarts projects from our expertsstraight to your inbox. Water Meter Size/Well Size:If you receive your water from a municipal water system, you should be able to read the size of the water meter on the box. If you're at a low spot and need seasonal drainage, install a 90-degree drain ell instead. After the ball valve, install a brass nipple and the reduced-pressure backflow preventer. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the five best solar generators on Amazon to help you find the product thats right for you and your home.
Before you install your sprinkler heads, you need to flush the system of any dirt that might have gotten into the pipes during construction. It's okay to connect PVC to copper here. Tip: Set the tubing in the sun for a few hours and it will soften and be much easier to install. Install a brass drain valve at each low spot of the feed line. If you need to determine the gallons per hour (GPH), multiply the flow rate by 60. The gauge then tells you the water pressure per square inch (psi). pipe. Next, match the size of the outlets with faucet and irrigation pipe you are using. Contact your local utility companies and have them come to your property and mark any underground lines. Amazon Is Running a Huge Sale on Patio Furniture. Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. Following the string, dig your trenches for your pipes, 6 to 12 inches deep. A Red Ventures Company. That, plus how much water each sprinkler head utilizes allow you to install the correct amount of heads. You'll work up a sweat wrestling with the trenching machine, but all parts of the sprinkler system are lightweight and easy to install, about $1,000 to $1,400 for a two-zone system, Tour This Renovated 220-Year-Old Farmhouse, With a wraparound porch and oversize windows that frame the views, an updated rear addition embraces its pastoral settingand readies a well-loved, almost 220-year-old farmhouse for another century of family life. To build your own sprinkler system, you need PVC pipe, sprinkler heads, risers, and a control valve. Hook up your supply of water either by attaching to a spigot or tapping into your mainwater line. Wherever a pipe branches off to a sprinkler head, splice in tee fittings, then attach a short length of flexible piping, which will connect to the sprinkler head. Please come back later and try again. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Typically you can build your own sprinkler system for less than $1,500. Now, connect a sprinkler head to the elbow with a threaded riser, or make an offset swing pipe. You want to flush any dirt or debris that made its way into the pipes before you install the sprinkler heads, as they can clog up. Gone are your days of dragging sprinklers all over the yard to quench its thirst. Those living in cold climates or dont have adequate water pressure from the spigot should tap into their mainwater line. All Rights Reserved. Dig a small depression under the drain, and fill it with sand and gravel. A standard, surface-level backflow preventer will work, but it must be placed 12 in. To keep from digging up the entire lawn, you can use a pipe-puller to install the PVC piping. Where a pipe connects to drip-irrigation tubing, attach an upturned elbow, a short vertical pipe, and a pressure reducer with a microfilter. Be sure to position it upright with the threads at the top. at a time and tamp the soil with a rubber mallet. Connect a garden hose to the pipe, turn the water on high and push the nozzle under the walkway to blast a hole clear through to the other side. Run the zone-valve cable to the control box. You can make your life of filling the trench back in a lot easier by laying soil to one side and placing the sod to the other. As with any large home improvement project, there are advantages and disadvantages of doing the job yourself and hiring a professional sprinkler installation company to do the job. You can use multiple valves to control water flow to different zones of your yard. Installing your sprinkler system is doable if youre willing and able to put in the work and time required to do it right. Turn off the water to the house at the meter. Accomplish this efficiently by using a lawn sprinkler system. In addition, the kits come with an easily programmed controller and most with a rain delay feature that suspends irrigation for several days without losing your program. Next, install a nipple into the stem of the tee fitting and finally connect the shut-off valve into that. By metering out a precise, consistent amount of water, automatic sprinklers not only make it easier to maintain a lush, green lawn theyll also save you money by not wasting water.
Once your pipe is assembled, you are ready to connect to the main water source.

Then, join the two elbows with a length of 3/8-in. Draw the crimp rings together with crimp-ring pliers. Once the piping is completed, turn on the water to flush any dirt or debris from the system.
above the highest point of the yard. A timer can be programmed to schedule different watering zones of your yard at various times. Finish by backfilling the hole while tamping down the soil every 4 in. The manufacturer will supply instructions on how to check your water pressuretypically, you need at least 30 to 35 psi (pounds per square inch) of pressure and about 10 to 13 gpm (gallons per minute) of water flow to support a sprinkler system. You will feel it click when it locks in place. Youll need to dig a trench for the pipe and properly connect the system to your water service line. When you get to the end of the layout, cut the tubing with a utility knife if necessary, flush it with water, fold it over, and slip on an end clamp. Turn on the main water supply to the system and let it go until any debris has flowed out. Push the barbed fitting all the way into the pipe; no glue or hose clamp is needed. Connect the elbow to the sprinkler head with 3/8-in. Continue making connections in this way until you've reached the last valve. Using a pressure gauge, attach it to an outside faucet and turn on the water, making sure all the water is turned off both inside and outside the home when you do this. Next, you will want to check with your local county offices to see if you need to pull a permit to install a sprinkler system in your yard. Taking into consideration any obstructions like a slope, note on the map the proposed placement of your sprinkler heads. Glue a 90-degree PVC elbow onto a male PVC adapter. A solar generator gives you backup energy from the sun should your electricity fail. Polyethylene pipe is joined together with barb fittings, which can be secured with common hose clamps, but stainless steel crimp rings are easier to install. Pipe the catch basin to a nearby floor drain with 1-in.
Then were left with the dilemma of what to do with these leaves. Youll also need a drain valve in order to drain the overhead line in winter. If you are tired of playing the role of the human sprinkler system, manually moving portable sprinklers from one area of the yard to another, you may be considering installing a DIY in-ground sprinkler system. Thread the valve into the tee with Teflon tape. Send the water pressure information to the sprinkler manufacturer you have chosen, along with a sketch of your property, including all critical dimensions. Be sure that they are placed pointing in the right direction and that they connect at, or just above, the soil level to ensure proper function. Note that it's often necessary to place two stakes very close together and on opposite sides of the tubing to hold it down. Mount the control panel to a nearby wall. polyethylene swing pipe. If you want to know how to install your own sprinkler system, though, here are the basics to know.
Following the plan, lay PVC pipe in all the trenches leading from the valve box. Make sure any pop-ups are flush with the soil line. Cleaning furniture upholstery can be tricky, as it requires a specific cleaner that eliminates stains without damaging the material. Explore our City Guides, Cost Calculator and Top Deals, plus check out your inbox for our welcome email & moving checklist. Use Teflon tape, but no crimp rings. No one head fits all situations. In-ground sprinkler systems are available from professional contractors, but theyre not cheap, costing on average between $2,500 and $3,500 for a one-quarter acre lot. Nancy Price Foreman, Owner and Director of Operations with Drilling and Irrigation Services, LLC in Melbourne, Fla., notes that other than the job being done by irrigation specialists when you hire a professional to do the job the system is covered by a warranty. Your PVC sprinkler pipe will connect to the control valve as well. Now that you have mapped out your area for installing your home sprinkler system and designated zones based on the plants growing there, you will need to select the best sprinkler head types for each area. Once you figure these out, you can purchase the correct parts. Request an on-site estimate and ask for their professional certifications and references. Next, following the manufacturer's directions, glue together the manifold and attach the zone valves. At the end, dig a hole about 18 inches deep and 2 to 3 feet long. We also bought some self-tapping saddles, which provide the quickest way to tap into the polyethylene piping without having to cut or drill the pipe.