What is a Sprinkler System?

A sprinkler system is what makes any lawn or garden flourish and retain its charm and elegance. A sprinkler system is convenient to use because it reaches even to the deepest roots of the plants. In addition, a sprinkler system makes for a very efficient watering system.

Sprinkler System Types

In residential areas where water is sometimes rationed and therefore not enough to irrigate a lawn, the sprinklers are divided into circuits with corresponding valves which run on an electronic controller. This turns the circuits on or off according to schedule.

The sprinkler systems are made of PVC pipes connected to the existing water supply line through a riser that feeds the sprinkler head with water. The sprinkler head then sprays out water in patterns of full circles, half circles or quarter circles. There are two types of sprinkler heads, namely, the rotary and the pop-up. The rotary sprinkler head juts above the ground while the pop-up sprinkler head is embedded underground when turned off, but pops up when activated. This allows lawn mowing without difficulty.

How to Plan a Sprinkler System

1. Determine the water pressure first by attaching a water pressure gauge to a hose bib and turning on the water at full force. A PSI of 20 is sufficient to install the sprinklers.

2. Check the water flow rate by placing a gallon bucket under a hose bib and then turning on the water again at full force. Find out how long it takes for the water to fill the bucket. Divide the resulting time (in seconds) by 60 and you will come up with the gallons per minute (GPM) capacity of the water line. The flow rate determines the size of each sprinkler circuit.

3. Plot the exact positions of the sprinkler heads. To determine the intervals between the sprinkler heads, multiply the throw distance of the heads (at 15') by 1.4. The proper spacing should be in a manner that one coverage directly overlaps another.

4. Divide the system into circuits. The instruction manual provides information on the GPM rating for each sprinkler head. When the GPM of the water line is divided by the GPM of the sprinkler heads, you come up with the number of sprinkler heads that can be included in one circuit. Combining different types of sprinklers (such as a lawn sprinkler and a low-shrub sprinkler) are not allowed within the same circuit.

5. A 3/4" PVC pipe is best used when installing a sprinkler system that is less than 100 feet long, while a 1" PVC pipe works best for sprinkler systems over 100 feet. Either way, the system pipe will not bypass the supply line tapped into.

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