The Components of a Complete Sprinkler System

Controller

• An irrigation controller is basically an intricate timer, which controls various portions of the irrigation system. The lawn on all sides of your home can be broken up into different sections or zones. Some areas of the lawn, depending on how much sun exposure they receive, may require different levels of watering, which is why zones are used. The controller maintains a schedule for each zone. The schedule can exact several waterings per day and several waterings per week. When the time comes to water, the controller sends the signal through a wire to the buried water valves.

Pipes

• Several irrigation pipe materials are available for irrigation, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe, galvanized pipe or copper pipe. Some area's irrigation codes require pipe to be made of certain material, so check your local codes before you begin planning. Pipes make up the majority of the system as they connect the more essential components together. You'll need to sand down rough edges and connect the pipes with the proper primer and glue, lest you run the risk of a leak.

Water Valves

• One water valve is needed for each yard zone. If there are three different sections of the yard requiring separate schedules, you should plan your valve manifold, the area where the valves are located, with at least three valves. The valve manifold consists of the joined valves and pipes and is surrounded by a valve manifold box with a lid. Some valves with anti-syphon features are installed above ground.

Sprinklers

• Pop-up sprinklers come in many varieties. Some are stationary and don't rotate while others are capable of rotating in a continuous 360-degree circle. Each sprinkler housing screws into a component of the irrigation system pipes through what is known as a swing-type assembly or similar connector. The housing is buried vertically with the rest of the system, except for the spray head, which remains level with and above ground. Each sprinkler spray head is adjustable to some extent. Such controls are usually located on top of the spray head and include arc range, radius adjustment, a shutoff slot and a lift-up slot.