subject: Choosing And Installing The Proper Sprinkler System For Your Lawn [print this page] If you want to have a green, lustrous lawn come spring, you need to find the right sprinkler system now! Your lawn will suffer if it does not have the proper form of water distribution.
If you have a small yard or have a very limited budget and cannot afford a sprinkler system built in, then there are some good choices out there. They can also work well for hard to reach areas of your yard, or your garden as well.
You will have to remember to set these up in the right places and move them when needed. Also, make sure you look at your choices.
A home and garden store will carry many styles and brands, and some will be made cheaper than others. There are oscillating varieties, which spray water using many jets, and rotate from side-to-side.
There are also impulse kinds, which concentrate a single jet in one area. Next, there are rotaries, which are spinning units with two to three arms.
Stationery systems sit low to the ground, and water a small area. Last, there are traveling systems, which water large and irregular patterns, and follow the garden hose.
Soaker hoses also work very well for some types of watering. If you have new sod, or want to water a small tree or other landscaping, then look at these handy lawn tools.
Soaker hoses put out a steady stream of water, giving it a gentle watering instead of a flood. These also work quite well for new gardens that need a tender touch.
Sprinklers are very important when you want the greenest lawn on the block. Look at your choices and find the one that will work best for your needs.
When you choose the one you want and are ready to put it in, installing a sprinkler system in your front and back yard can seem like an overwhelming task. However, a project like this can be done in a day or two.
When you are done, you will have a system in place that waters your grass and plants with evenness and reliability. No more having to remember to turn on the faucet.
No more dragging the hose around! First, before you dig a shovel of dirt, get out a pencil and paper.
Planning is the key to putting in your sprinklers properly. Check with your local building department to obtain any permits you may need.
Ask your utility companies if there are any buried lines in your yard. Next, you should call your water department to see what the water pressure and flow rate are in your neighborhood.
Most systems need at least twenty pounds per square inch. You can also check these measurements with a water gauge.
Then, you should map out your yard, noting where shrubs and trees are. Plot your heads so they overlap.
Multiplying your maximum distance by 1.4 is a good yardstick. You will also need to figure out how many circuits your lawn will need.
Most yards are too big for one valve. Therefore, not all of them can run at the same time.
You should buy PVC pipe that is at least three quarter inches thick. You will also need PVC solvent, PVC pipe connections, valves and an electronic timer.
Now, you can get to work. Putting in a system does require some manual labor, so make sure you are in good enough shape to bend over and kneel down.
You will need to build a manifold system near a main water faucet for the valves. You will then need to run the PVC pipe from the valves to the head locations.
There are two types - pop-up sprinklers, and above-ground rotary ones. All pipe connections should be done with the solvent, adding a quarter-turn on the pipes after the solvent is applied to seal the deal.
The final step is to install the timer in the garage and connect it to the valves with electrical wires. Be sure to read these instructions carefully.
When you are done, you will have a system in place that you have installed yourself, which provides consistent and even-handed watering to your yard. You will be pleased with your work, and your yard will look lush and beautiful as a result.
