Typical Lawn Sprinkler Layout

Timer

• The lawn system timer controls the irrigation system. Decide first if you would like the timer to be mounted outside or inside your home, such as in the garage. It's a good idea to keep the timer relatively close to the irrigation main line and the valve manifold. When selecting a wire for the timer, keep in mind that you might wish to expand your system later. It would be a lot easier to select a timer wire with multiple wires, in case you wish to install more water valves. Including the white wire, select the same number of color-coded wires from the main controller wire as you have water valves, and bend the rest back for possible later use. Obtain enough wire to stretch from the timer to the water valves. Keep in mind, part of the wire will be buried with the irrigation line.

Valves

• The water valve manifold is usually not far from the main line or irrigation line shut-off valve. When the water valves are connected together, it forms the water valve manifold. If you have a lot of valves, it's not uncommon to have two or more water valve manifolds. Dig a big enough space for the manifolds and their manifold boxes in the ground. If possible, keep in mind the direction of the zone piping, and try to keep the manifolds as centralized to the zones as possible.

Pipes

• A typical lawn layout covers the back, front and sides of the house. After you've drawn your plan on paper and acquired the proper amount of piping for the job, spray paint or lay down string on the lawn where you'll dig trenches to lay the pipes. Dig the trenches by hand or with a trenching machine about 8 to 12 inches deep. Layout the pipes, fittings and sprinklers beside their designated spots in the yard.

Sprinklers

• Insert flags or similar markers into the spot in the ground where you plan to install a sprinkler prior to digging the trenches. Space the sprinklers far enough apart from each other so that there is no overlapping, depending on the throw or spray distance of the sprinkler. All sprinklers are different, and some sprinkler streams can be tweaked to emit a slightly shorter stream. Use a swing assembly to connect the sprinkler housing to the zone line.