But it doesn't come without a little elbow grease. In this tutorial we will take you through everything you need to know from start to finish; you'll soon be enjoying a new sprinkler system while saving thousands in installation cost. Good choice!
Studies have shown that investing in an irrigation system can actually lower water bill costs in your home, as regular watering is the healthier and more efficient choice than randomly breaking out your old garden hose. Keeping your lawn hydrated is not only beneficial for the grass; it will have a positive domino effect on the entire landscape, as each lawn or yard is a complex ecosystem comprised of the plants, soil, bacteria, fungi, worms, and more.
If the soil and grass are kept well hydrated, they will be healthy enough to produce the right minerals and nutrients that the other components of the ecosystem are depending on, resulting in a more lush and beautiful landscape. Before you start make sure all the "t"s are crossed and "i"s dotted. Check and see if your city or town requires you to have any kind of building permit, especially if you live in an area prone to droughts; municipal water ordinances can vary widely from one locality to the next.
To figure out what kind of water pressure you have at your home, hook up a water pressure tester to the spigot valve like so:. Tip: Be sure the rest of the water faucets in your home are off, otherwise it will effect your reading. Now we need to figure out the flow rate and water meter size. This is not rocket science so a 5 gallon bucket and watch will do. Fill the bucket and then:. The number you end up with is your GPM.
Tip: If you don't have a 5 gallon bucket handy you can use any size bucket as long as you know how big it is.
Then just swap out the 5 in the equation above and replace it with how many gallons your bucket holds. In most cases in the city the meter size will be stamped on the meter. If your in a rural area and your water comes from a well then you'll need to look search the well lid or even reference the good ole' manual.
Now we know our meter size and water flow rate so you can select the best sprinkler and parts that will suit your home. This is all about the measure twice and cut once method. In fact, this is where most armatures go wrong when installing a sprinkler system. Visit our sister article on how to install a sprinkler system or head to YouTube to watch a video or two to give you the confidence you need to install your own sprinkler system!
The most time consuming and labor intensive aspect of installing a sprinkler system is digging the trenches where your sprinkler lines will rest. If pinching all the pennies you can, a simple pick axe will get the job done, but a full day of labor can be saved by renting a motorized trenching tool from your local hardware store.
Something as simple as an additional set of hands can help cut down the time required by a day or two. Ask a friend for help in return for a future favor and get the job done in a single weekend! You can search professionals by job type and price range to see the best businesses in your area.
If simply looking for cheap labor, online community forums like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace allow users to search for varying job opportunities or available labor in your area.
You are now armed with the required knowledge to speak intelligently on the subject of sprinkler system installation which is a deterrent of price gouging. You also have the information about where to go to shop for the right price should you choose to hire a professional.
I suggest asking a professional where they buy their materials from and if they will provide you with an itemized list of the materials required in addition to labor costs prior to the start of work. If that kind of money is inconsequential to you, or if installing your own sprinkler system is simply not feasible, hiring a professional is probably your best bet, but not many people realize just how cost-effective installing a sprinkler system yourself can be.
With the right know-how and motivation, you too can save money and enjoy a new lawn for years to come! Ultimately, the decision to install a sprinkler system by yourself or to hire a professional to do the work is a personal one.
Weigh the pros and cons of each method and come to a decision that is best for you and your family. Regardless of whether or not you choose to tackle this project on your own, at least now you have a sound understanding of the required materials, the required labor, how much that labor is going to cost by hiring a professional landscaper, and how to avoid paying too much for their services.
David has been an avid DIYer for years. Pipe sizes are listed below what gpm can be used. Each "emitter or sprinkler head" has a determined amount of gpm that it will flow. For example, a degree spray uses 1 gpm, a 90 degree spray uses.
Your available gpm is Determine how many of each emitter is needed. Add the gpm up for each emitter. If it exceeds 12 gpm then you will need another valve to supply the water to this area. The same rule applies with rotors.
Use the nozzle tree provided with rotors. Each nozzle has a set amount of gpm it will use. Keep them all the same as not to make the precipitation rate change. Note: Keep in mind that longer pipe runs may require larger pipe sizes as to keep friction losses to a minimum.
Even if you do not have the gpm for larger pipe, it will not effect the system. Design your system to have head to head coverage. It is not required but you will have much better results. If the product states it throws 15 ft at a set psi, then that is the maximum it will throw. If the manufactures specified psi is 50 psi and you have 40 psi then decrease the distance between heads to help with coverage.
Remember that an increase in pressure means and increase in throw and flow. Same concept here but for smaller areas. Take a 8 x8 area. You need 4 Heads at each corner. Each head will be spraying 90 degrees. Those four heads would be running 1. Size your zones to not exceed your total available gpm. Check Static pressures with gauge. It will be difficult for a system to operate when static psi is 30 or less. It will require a good design.
Also keep in mind that an increase in pressure means an increase in flow an throw. Use these at every head connection. This will allow you to raise heads in the future with ease and make repairs easier. Using primer before gluing is a must. Prime both ends to be mated liberally. Spread glue on after and slip piping together.
Once seated give a quarter turn to ensure the pipe bonds. Glue and Primer are very hazardous. Wear safety glasses and gloves.
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