Installing spinkler system

Branch lines are the smaller pipes that connect the main line to each of the individual sprinkler heads. Sprinkler heads themselves are never attached to the main lines, but always to the branch lines. Part 3. Purchase adequate PVC piping for each irrigation zone. Measure the pressure of your water supply with a water gauge. Find an outdoor water nozzle, and screw the pressure gauge onto it.

Turn the water on full blast and read the psi pounds per square inch or kPa kilopascals indicator on the face of the water gauge. Most home-sprinkler systems need a water pressure of about 30 pounds per square inch kPa in order to function.

Mark the locations for your pipe ditches and heads on your yard. Then, when you come to the end of the branch lines, flag the sprinkler-head locations using survey flags. Measure all distances with a tape measure to ensure that all of the distances are precise.

Dig the ditches along the main and branch lines marked on the diagram. Use an axe or grubbing hoe to cut the turf, taking care to set it aside in clumps so it can be replaced when you are finished. The ditch should be at least 10 inches A trenching shovel may be the best tool to use for this part of the job. Dig carefully so as to avoid your home water lines, exterior lighting circuits, and waste and sewer lines.

Set your PVC piping out in the ditches you just dug. Then, set the smaller PVC pipes in place for the branch water lines. Also set into the place the tees, elbows, and bushings for reducing pipe sizes and threading on the sprinkler heads.

Funny pipe also allows the heads to be adjusted for height and is forgiving if you are prone to driving over the head with a riding lawn mower or vehicle. Install risers to connect the branch water lines to each sprinkler head.

Find the flagging that you stuck into the ground earlier to mark the locations of your sprinkler heads. The risers will connect your water line to these sprinkler heads.

Then, attach the risers to the PVC pipe by threading them in place. Connect the main water line to the timer and control valves. Your sprinkler system will come with several control valves and a timer to control when the heads turn on and off.

Use PVC funny pipe and the appropriate fittings to connect the main line to the control manifold. Be sure to use the appropriate valve for the type of control you are using. Attach a backflow preventer to the water supply line. Connect the water supply line into the manifold time and control valves. Be sure to also attach a backflow preventer so that if the water system loses pressure you will not syphon water from the sprinkler system into the potable water.

Install the timer unit near an accessible power source. Attach the timer to the wall near a power supply by your front or back door. Set up the unit by connecting the wires coming from the sprinkler valves to the numbered terminals in the timer unit. Test that the timer unit is properly installed and works correctly by manually testing each of the sprinkler zones from the timer control box.

Without a timer unit, your sprinkler system would spray water 24 hours a day. Turn the control valve on that supplies water to 1 zone. Allow the water pressure to flush the pipes of any debris or dirt which has gotten into them. This should only take 1—2 minutes, but doing this before installing your sprinkler heads will prevent clogged heads later on.

So, clearing the pipes at this point can save you time in the long run. Install your sprinkler heads at the ends of the installed risers. Place the heads according to the locations where you mapped them on the drawn schematic. You can also locate the heads by finding the ends of the risers you installed.

Depending on the height of the heads, each should be installed about 6 inches 15 cm deep. Pack the soil firmly around the heads to hold them in position. Set up the control valve and backflow preventer in the next zone. Once you have successfully installed the sprinkler heads on the first zone, move on to the next zone.

Working in sequential order will keep you from overlooking any part of sprinkler system or accidentally forgetting to install a sprinkler head. Part 4. Observe the spray coverage and direction of each head. Turn the zone valve back on and see how each sprinkler head sprays. Also adjust the spray pattern and distance with the adjusting features designed in your particular head. Most have a small radius adjustment knob on the top of the sprinkler head.

Walk the length of your ditches to check for water leaks. Take a close look at the bushings and other fittings to make sure none are leaking water.

When you are satisfied there are no leaks, turn the valve off. If you do happen to find a leak, unscrew and reattach the bushings and pipes, taking care to screw them together more tightly this time. Backfill your ditches and pack the soil in firmly. Shovel up any roots or other organic matter that you unearth while installing the sprinkler pipes. Dispose of these materials in the trash or compost bin.

Mike Garcia Licensed Landscape Contractor. Mike Garcia. If you're dealing with an overhead spray irrigation system, first determine where the leak is coming from. If it's coming from the top part called the nozzle, unscrew the broken nozzle and then screw a new one on. In the case of drip irrigation, determine where the leak is coming from first. Next, locate the pressure coupling. Cut the broken drip if it's not severed all the way through and put the pressure coupling on both ends.

Push on it, and it'll be good as new. Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0. TC Williams. Check and make sure the Solenoid is working correctly when sent a charge from Controller. If not check wire splices for good contact and waterproof screw cap at valve, then Controller. Most all of the valves can be taken apart by loosening screws or Ring around top Bonnet. Do not lose screws. Carefully pry the top of the valve Bonnet off of valve the Body to check the Diaphragm for tears or holes.

Replace the Diaphragm if needed after flushing out the Valve Body of any debris. Replace the Valve Top Bonnet and do not over tighten screws. Not Helpful 1 Helpful 3. Dig the dirt out from around the popups, and backfill by hand at first, holding the popup where you want it to be with the other hand.

Pack the dirt down as you go. Not Helpful 3 Helpful 3. Not necessarily. However, it is generally a bad idea if there are any glue joints in the pipe. Over time, glue joints weaken and eventually fracture. Concrete over pipes makes it difficult to fix. The concrete will either have to be broken, or the pipe will have to be cut and diverted if possible. Not Helpful 1 Helpful 1. A soaker system depends mainly on the types of heads you're using in the sprinkler system. They're more commonly used in irrigation systems that in sprinkler systems.

However, you can purchase small soaker-type heads to attach in your sprinkler system for the same overall effect.

These soaker-type heads are somewhat similar to bubbler-type heads, except they're install beneath the soil. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Keep any sprinkler head adjusting tools, keys, etc. Thread a brass drain fitting into the threaded end of a PVC tee and install the tee downward at 45 degrees.

Dig a small depression under the drain, and fill it with sand and gravel. Start the pipe puller moving forward and settle the blade into the turf. The blade will shimmy the pipe down into the ground. Assemble the zone valves above ground, then connect them to the underground pipes. Install a drain fitting to each valve.

Attach one of every valve's lead wires to the white common wire and connect a colored wire to each remaining lead. Install a brass drain valve at each low spot of the feed line. Thread the valve into the tee with Teflon tape. To tunnel under walkways, attach a pointed sluice nozzle to a length of PVC pipe. Connect a hose fitting to the opposite end of the pipe, then dig shallow trenches on either side of the walkway.

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. Use a sluice pipe to tunnel under sidewalks. The brass fitting is sold at hardware stores and home centers. 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.

Sever the pipe with a scissors-style tubing cutter , then slide the rings onto the pipe and crimp each one with pliers. Use a scissors-type tubing cutter to slice polyethylene pipe. It's quick and easy to use, and leaves a clean edge. Slide the crimp ring onto each pipe and insert the barb fitting. Slide a crimp ring onto each pipe and insert the barb fitting. Slide on the rings and crimp them tight with pliers. Draw the crimp rings together with crimp-ring pliers.

The sprinkler heads can be connected to the pipes in several ways. If drainage isn't required, use a degree elbow at the sprinkler head. Thread a riser into the top of the elbow. If the sprinkler head is located in a low spot on the property, and needs to be drained occasionally, then install a degree drain elbow instead. If you're at a low spot and need seasonal drainage, install a degree drain ell instead. To drain a low spot under a sprinkler head, use a degree drain elbow.

Be sure to position it upright with the threads at the top. Now, connect a sprinkler head to the elbow with a threaded riser, or make an offset swing pipe. To make a swing-pipe connection, thread one degree elbow into the drain fitting and another into the bottom of a sprinkler head. Use Teflon tape on the threads. Use Teflon tape, but no crimp rings.

The fit is so snug that it doesn't need a crimp ring. Finish by backfilling the hole while tamping down the soil every 4 in. Backfill the hole 4 in. Then top the bare soil with sod or grass seed. When tapping into a continuous piping run, use the self-tapping saddle valve mentioned earlier. Press the saddle valve's collar around the pipe and snap it together. You will feel it click when it locks in place. To connect the head, install either a swing pipe or a threaded riser in the top of the fitting.

When the pipe is directly under a sprinkler, connect the head with a threaded riser. 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. A bubbler head is specially designed to soak a flowerbed without wetting the foliage.

Then, shortly after the tap, install a full-flow ball valve. Install a full-flow ball valve so you can service the backflow preventer without shutting off the flow of water to the entire house. After the ball valve, install a brass nipple and the reduced-pressure backflow preventer. Run piping from the backflow preventer to the pipe installed through the rim joist.

Install the reduced-pressure backflow preventer right after the ball valve. This type of preventer will occasionally back surge, so you'll need a catch basin with an air gap underneath it. Pipe the catch basin to a nearby floor drain with 1-in.

Install an air-gap catch basin on the unit and run a full-size drainpipe to the nearest floor drain.