Automatic sprinkler systems are a more efficient way to water your lawn than watering by hand. Before beginning your sprinkler system project you need to plan it out. Begin by mapping out the area where you want your sprinkler system and where you want the sprinkler heads to be located. You’ll also have to choose the sprinkler heads and nozzles you’ll use. The next step in prepping for your sprinkler system installation is checking your water to make sure that it’s at 30 to 35 PSI of pressure and 10 to 15 GPM of water flow. Be sure to obtain all necessary permits, mark any power, gas or telephone wires to avoid all accidents. Here are the steps for DIY sprinkler system installation.
Step 1 – Dig Trenches
Use the map that you previously made of the locations for the sprinkler heads, and mark each location of all trenches and sprinkler heads with a plastic flag or wooden stake. Then, locate the main water shut off valve and turn off the water. It could be buried in your backyard or close to the water meter. Next dig the trenches. The trenches should be at least 4-12 inches deep.
Tip: Most machine rental locations will drop-off and pick-up a trench digger for a small fee.
Step 2 – Water Connection
Double check to make sure that you’ve turned off the water at the meter. This will ensure that the water is completely off throughout the property. Next, cut into the main line and use a tee and PVC cement. If the line is copper, cut the line and solder a copper tee to it. Connect a 90-degree elbow onto the male PVC adapter. If the line is copper, don’t worry. It’s okay to connect PVC to copper.
Step 3 – Valve Installation
Now it’s time to install the valve box for control of the sprinkler system. You want to install the valve box as indicated on your map. Place it in a hole that’s 18-inches deep by 2-3 feet long. Next, fill the hole with 2-inches of dirt. Place the valve box on the hole so that the lid will be flush with the grass. Glue together the manifold and attach valves. Run 1-inch of #40 PVC pipe from main water line to connect to manifold. Dig a trench, not too deep, from the valve box to the timer location. This should be done according to your map. Connect all wires leading to each valve.
Step 4 – Placement of Pipes
Lay out all PVC piping in the trenches according to your map, joining any pipe sections using couplings and PVC cement. Connect the sprinkler heads with a tee fitting and attach a short piece of flexible piping. This is what will connect to the sprinkler head. Attach an upturned elbow, short vertical pipe and pressure reducer with micro-filter, if using drip irrigation tubing.
Valve box piping should be connected using 90-degree elbows, joining the PVC pipes in the trenches to the valve box pipes. Once connected, turn on the water to flush out any dirt or debris in the system. Turn water back off to install your sprinkler heads.
Step 5 – Installation of Sprinkler Heads
Referring back to the map that you made in the very beginning, attach the pop-up sprinkler heads onto the end of the flexible piping. No glue or clamp is needed. Remove sprinkler cap and install your spray nozzle, as indicated on your map.
Step 6 – Placement of Tubing & Stakes
Depending on the type of tubing that you chose in the beginning, place all drip-irrigation tubing to the micro-filter and pressure reducer at flowerbeds and trees. Place the tubing close to the base of the plants. Space tubing about 12-inches apart. Joining tubing may be necessary using a push-in coupling. When done placing all tubing, flush with water and then cap the end. Secure tubing with plastic ground stakes. Hook each stake over the tubing and press down into dirt. The stakes are used to hold down the tubing and sometimes two stakes may be needed to be placed close together.
Tip: Set the tubing in the sun for a few hours before using, this will loosen the tubing for easier movement for installation.
Step 7 – Timer Wires
Mount the timer onto the wall. Connect all wires that lead from the valves to the timer. Attach the wires as shown on the instructions. Hire a licensed electrician to connect the wires to the timer, if necessary. Do a test run of the timer system on each area to ensure that all sprinklers are working properly. Adjust the nozzles as necessary to make sure they are covering each area properly.