Installation of Residential Lawn Sprinkler Systems

Dragging the hose out every day to keep your lawn watered and green can be a hassle. One solution to this problem is to install a sprinkler system you can program to water the lawn at your convenience. The project takes some time and muscle, but the result can take some of the stress out of your life. A sprinkler system can benefit your lawn and other landscaped areas since the watering will be consistent and hassle-free.

Graph paper
Pencil
Spray paint
Shovel
PVC pipes, valves, and sprinkler heads or sprinkler kit
PVC primer and glue
Level
Valves
Valve box
Timer

Instructions

- 1
  Draw the layout of your yard on the graph paper. Include features such as trees, shrubs, flower beds and vegetable beds. Draw in where you want to have sprinkler heads located and where the supply lines will be run.
- 2
  Transfer the plan to the yard. Use the spray paint to mark the supply lines and sprinkler heads. This helps to determine the amount of pipe needed for the project as well as the number of sprinkler heads and control valves.
- 3
  Dig the trench for the pipes with the shovel. The trench needs to be 6 to 12 inches deep. Check the manufacturer's guidelines for your specific type of sprinkler system.
- 4
  Lay out the pipe in the trenches. Place sprinkler heads and valves where you want them. Join the sections of pipe together, using the PVC primer and glue. Install the heads and valves according to manufacturer's instructions. There are a variety of heads and valves available, and they are not all installed the same way.
- 5
  Attach to the water supply. Some systems require doing this just after the meter in the main water supply to the house. Other systems let you tie into an existing outdoor tap. Set up the timer and plug it in or put batteries in it.
- 6
  Test the system. Turn on the water and check the sprinkler heads. Make sure they are spraying where you want them. Adjust them as necessary. Test the timer by setting it to come on in a few minutes. Reset it when you are done testing it.
- 7
  Fill in the trenches. The system is now ready for use.

Lawn Sprinkler Programs

Sprinkler Systems & Wells

Lawn Maintenance