How to Choose and Install Underground Lawn Sprinklers Efficiently

Choosing the right underground lawn sprinkler system can be overwhelming, but it's essential to consider your lawn's size and type of grass. Underground lawn sprinklers can be installed in as little as a few hours.

To begin, you'll need to determine the right amount of water pressure for your system. This is typically 30-50 pounds per square inch (PSI) for most residential areas.

Measure your lawn to determine how many sprinkler heads you'll need. A general rule of thumb is to allow 20-30 square feet of coverage per sprinkler head.

Broaden your view: Push Mower 30 Inch

An underground sprinkler system is installed beneath your lawn, with buried pipes carrying water to pop-up sprinklers that distribute it in various patterns.

These systems connect to the main water supply and many operate automatically, cycling through different zones at scheduled times for complete coverage. Timers allow for easy programming, making it a convenient choice for landscaping and gardening.

Consider reading: How to Find Underground Water Pipes

You can combine in-ground sprinklers with drip irrigation tubing to distribute water directly to the roots of your plants or trees. This is especially beneficial for plants that require precise watering.

The system is directly connected to your home's plumbing and pipes, so you don't need to plug it into a hose or anything. This means you can say goodbye to the days of hooking up a rotating sprinkler and placing it in the yard.

Built-in sprinkler systems can be wonderful for watering large, flat areas of your lawn. They're created with a water line that runs beneath the ground, protecting it from damage.

A timer, valves, underground pipes, sprinkler heads, and risers are the main components of an underground sprinkler system. These components work together to ensure efficient watering of your lawn.

See what others are reading: How to Thaw Water Pipes Underground

Underground lawn sprinklers offer several benefits, including efficient water distribution and reduced manual labor.

Pop-up sprinklers, used in underground systems, pop up to distribute water and then retract back into the ground when not in use.

Related reading: Insulating Underground Water Pipes

This design helps conserve water by targeting specific areas and reducing evaporation, making it a more water-efficient option.

With an underground sprinkler system, you can target only things that grow, and target them with the right amount of time and water.

No more soaking wet concrete or sidewalks around your house, as the system is designed to distribute water directly to the lawn and plants.

Underground systems also help improve plant health by providing the right amount of water at the right time.

They are less obtrusive than above-ground sprinklers, making them a great option for homes with landscaping or mowing needs.

Underground lawn sprinklers come with a variety of heads and nozzles to suit different watering needs.

There are several types of in-ground sprinkler heads, including rotor sprinklers, fixed sprinklers, shrub sprinkler heads, and impact sprinklers.

Rotor sprinklers are great for newly fertilized lawns and grass seed, as they provide even water distribution. Fixed sprinklers are best for small, specific areas that need consistent watering.

Expand your knowledge: Garden Irrigation Sprinkler Heads

Shrub sprinkler heads are designed for watering shrubs and garden beds, and are mounted on risers to elevate the spray above the plants. Impact sprinklers deliver a powerful stream of water pressure in a circular pattern using durable, sturdy arms.

You can choose from different types of nozzles, including those with spray patterns or arcs of 360 degrees, 180 degrees, 90 degrees, variable arc, or strip.

Here are some common types of nozzles:

DIY Installation can be a viable option for installing your underground lawn sprinkler system, but it's essential to consider the potential challenges. Installing an underground sprinkler system requires a lot of knowledge that the typical homeowner usually doesn’t have.

Unless you're an expert, you may not know how to dig the routes, set up the computer system, and check for proper city permits to build your system. Most rental dealers will drop off and pick up the trenching machine for a small additional charge, which can be a convenient option.

Broaden your view: How to Install Underground Sprinkler System

To dig the trenches, locate the pipe for the water source that you'll be tapping into, and mark the locations of all the trenches and sprinklers with wooden stakes or plastic flags. Use a gas-powered trenching machine to excavate the trenches to a depth of 4 to 12 inches, depending on the recommendation for your area of the country.

Here are some key things to keep in mind when DIY installing your underground lawn sprinkler system:

Installing a DIY sprinkler system can be tempting, but it's often not the best idea unless you're an expert.

The typical homeowner usually lacks the knowledge needed to install an underground sprinkler system, which can lead to more headaches than savings.

Digging the routes for the system is just one of the many tasks that require specialized expertise.

Setting up the computer system is another crucial aspect that's often overlooked by DIY enthusiasts.

Proper city permits are also essential, but many homeowners don't know how to navigate the process.

Unless you have extensive experience with irrigation systems, it's best to leave the installation to a professional.

On a similar theme: Best Time to Irrigate Lawn

Dig the trenches for your DIY installation project with ease. You'll need to locate the pipe for the water source, which might be at the water meter in the basement or buried underground.

Mark the locations of all the trenches and sprinklers with wooden stakes or plastic flags. This will help you visualize the layout and ensure you don't miss any spots.

Use a gas-powered trenching machine to excavate the trenches to a depth of 4 to 12 inches, depending on the recommendation for your area of the country. This will give you a solid foundation for the rest of the installation.

Most rental dealers will drop off and pick up the trenching machine for a small additional charge. This can save you time and hassle, and is often a convenient option.

Save money and avoid extra trips to the home center by buying PVC fittings in multi-piece contractor packs. This is a great way to stock up on the materials you need and stay organized.

Making the water connection is a crucial step in your DIY installation project. You'll need to turn off the water to the house at the meter.

To do this, cut into the main water line and splice in a tee fitting with PVC cement and primer. If the line is copper, solder on a copper tee.

You'll also need to glue a 90-degree PVC elbow onto a male PVC adapter, and thread the adapter into the tee fitting installed on the main water line. It's okay to connect PVC to copper here.

If you're not comfortable with this step, it's a good idea to call in a professional plumber to tap into the main line for you.

Here's a quick rundown of the steps:

By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to making a successful water connection for your underground sprinkler system.

Installing ground stakes is a crucial step in securing your irrigation tubing. You'll want to hook each stake over the tubing and press it into the dirt.

Space the stakes about 18 to 24 inches apart for optimal support. This will ensure that the tubing is held firmly in place.

In some cases, you may need to place two stakes very close together and on opposite sides of the tubing. This will provide extra stability and prevent the tubing from shifting.

To prevent water from evaporating too quickly and to hide the tubing, cover the area with bark mulch. Spread it at least 4 inches deep to achieve the best results.

An underground sprinkler system can be installed beneath your lawn, with buried pipes carrying water to pop-up sprinklers that distribute it in various patterns.

The system connects to the main water supply and many operate automatically, cycling through different zones at scheduled times for complete coverage. Timers allow for easy programming, making it a convenient choice for landscaping and gardening.

You can combine in-ground sprinklers with drip irrigation tubing to distribute water directly to the roots of your plants or trees.

The main components of an underground sprinkler system include a timer, valves, underground pipes, sprinkler heads, and risers that connect the pipes to the heads.

The nozzle is responsible for dispersing the water, and certain models have different spray patterns and dispense water from different distances.

Impact sprinklers can dispense water over a radius of 80 feet or more while emitting a distinctive ticking sound.

A check valve, available on some models, prevents water in the pipes from seeping out of the housing and into low areas of your yard once the system is turned off.

The body of a sprinkler head houses the spring, riser, and nozzle when the system is not in use, and it also provides threaded ports for the riser and drains.

A wiper seal surrounds the riser or plunger and acts as a gasket between the riser and the body, preventing water from leaking from the sprinkler body and keeping dirt and debris out of the body.

A pressure regulator, available on some models, helps maintain constant water pressure in a system so that it can operate efficiently.

A unique perspective: Types of Irrigation Sprinkler Heads

Dig the trenches to a depth of 4 to 12 inches, depending on the recommendation for your area of the country. This will give you enough space for the pipes and make it easier to work with.

Use a gas-powered trenching machine to excavate the trenches, or consider renting one from a local dealer for a small additional charge.

Locate the pipe for the water source and mark the locations of all the trenches and sprinklers with wooden stakes or plastic flags. This will help you visualize the layout and ensure everything is in the right place.

Cut into the main water line and splice in a tee fitting with PVC cement and primer, or solder on a copper tee if the line is copper. This will connect the new system to the existing water supply.

Dig a trench from the main water line to the valve box location, as indicated on your plan, and line the hole with 2 inches of gravel. This will provide a stable base for the valve box.

Here's a summary of the key steps:

Turn on the water to flush any dirt or debris from the system, then turn it off again to install the sprinklers. This will ensure a clean and efficient system.

Secure the irrigation tubing with plastic ground stakes, spacing them about 18 to 24 inches apart. This will keep the tubing in place and prevent it from getting damaged.