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When you install a sprinkler system, you’re making it easier to water your landscape. It can save you time and money.
When you’re ready to get started, you should map out your property and the areas where you want the sprinkler heads, pipes, and valves. The manufacturer will provide a template to help you do this. They’ll then send you back a detailed plan.
Irrigation Map
An irrigation map is a crucial piece of information to keep in mind during the sprinkler system installation process. It shows all the water main lines, pipe layout, sprinkler heads, valves and other key components connected to your landscape.
Before Gachina Landscape Management, based in Menlo Park, California, embarked on its digital GIS transformation using Esri ArcGIS software, the company’s irrigation technicians hand-drew maps to show clients what they were up against. They used colored pencils to mark zones on the map, tacking sticky notes describing plant material and types of hardware such as controllers and valves.
Today, staff can create a geodatabase for each zone on a client’s property using ArcGIS Pro and publish it as a layer hosted in ArcGIS Online. Those layers are viewable by Gachina’s staff on iPhones when they are in the field performing irrigation jobs.
Pipe Layout
The pipe layout used in sprinkler system installation is a crucial part of the process. A good design ensures proper watering and helps prevent costly lawn damage.
Start by sketching a rough layout on paper. It’s a useful way to get an idea of how many zones you need.
Next, mark all the areas that will be irrigated by your sprinkler system. This will help you determine how many zones you need and which sprinkler heads are needed to cover the area.
Each zone will need to be sized based on the gallons per minute (GPM) that it can draw from your water supply. To do this, use the following chart to calculate how much flow each zone will need.
Sprinkler Heads
The sprinkler heads are the parts of the system that spray water onto the lawn. The type of sprinkler head you need depends on the direction of the spray and how much space you want to cover.
Typically, you can find sprinkler heads at a home improvement store or landscaping center. You can also order them online.
Installing the heads can be a DIY project, but it’s important to make sure the pipes don’t get clogged by dirt or other debris. To prevent that from happening, flush the pipes before installing the heads.
Dig trenches and connect the pipes in each location, using wooden stakes or flags to mark each area. The depth of the trenches should range from 6 to 12 inches.
Valves
Valves are the link between the system’s “brains” (the controller) and the sprinkler heads, allowing water to be turned on and off. They may be controlled manually or electrically with a timer.
The valves used in sprinkler systems are an important part of the installation process and help to keep your lawn looking lush and green all year round. There are many different types of valves available for your sprinkler system, so it is important to understand the differences and choose one that will meet your needs.
Gate and ball valves: A gate valve is a manual type that uses a seated disk on a seal to open or close water flow. These are easy to turn on and off by hand.
A ball valve uses a round knob that regulates water flow. These work well for both manual and automatic systems.
Timer
A timer is an essential part of a sprinkler system because it allows you to schedule when and how long to water your lawn. It also helps you save on watering costs and keep your plants healthy and happy.
Digital timers use electronic circuits to control the sprinklers, while mechanical timers work with gears and metal pins. Both types of timers are fairly inexpensive, so it’s worth looking into both options when considering your sprinkler system.
Once your timer is installed, you can start programming it. The first step is to set the date and time for each zone, station, valve or group of stations.