How to Connect Sprinklers to the House

The installation of an irrigation system to the home ensures proper lawn maintenance throughout hot summer months. Depending on whether or not you wish to install a timer, your system could be completely automatic. The task can be completed with tools and supplies, which can be obtained at your local hardware store. Before starting, you’ll need a well-prepared irrigation plan and the appropriate parts, including pipes, fittings and sprinklers. For example, consider the installation of a two-zone system using polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes.

PVC glue
PVC primer
Pipe cutters
Teflon tape
Wrench
Sandpaper
Shovel

Instructions

- 1
  Cut pipes with the pipe cutters to fit the plans of your irrigation system, if necessary. Insert the pipe into the pipe cutter opening. PVC pipe cutters work like a ratcheting system. Hold the pipe steady at a horizontal angle, keeping your hand approximately 1 foot down from the cutting point, and squeeze the handles of the cutters repeatedly, until the pipe is cut.
- 2
  Dig trenches according to the irrigation plan for your lawn by hand or with a trench digger. Lay out the components of the irrigation system beside the trenches where you plan to install them. This includes pipes, fittings, swing assemblies and sprinkler housings.
- 3
  Wrap seal tape around the threads of two fittings for the two irrigation valves that will lead two different zones in the yard. Screw the fittings into the outlets of the two valves. Tighten the fittings a full turn with a wrench.
- 4
  Sand down the ends of each pipe with sandpaper, until they are smooth.
- 5
  Wipe PVC primer inside of the two fittings and on the ends of the two zone pipes. Wipe PVC glue inside the fittings and the outside of the pipes. Insert the two pipes into the two fittings and twist them a half-turn to settle the connection. Hold the pipes in place for 15 seconds to allow the glue to dry.
- 6
  Prime and glue both sides of the first connection fitting of the first zone. Prime and glue the first zone valve pipe and the pipe that leads to the first sprinkler in the first zone. Slide the fitting onto the zone pipe and slide the leading pipe into the fitting. Twist the fitting a half-turn to settle it and hold the connection in place for 15 seconds. Repeat this step for each pipe, until all pipes from each zone are primed and glued together.
- 7
  Wrap seal tape around the threads of the first swing pipe assembly in the direction of the threads. Screw the swing pipe assembly into the first zone T-fitting. Hand-tighten it. Wrap the seal tape around the threads of the sprinkler housing in the direction of the threads. Twist the sprinkler housing onto the open end of the swing pipe assembly and tighten it by hand.
- 8
  Fill the trenches with dirt. Bury the sprinkler housing vertically in the ground with the spray head just breaking the surface.

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