Reliable Sprinkler Head Types

Types of Sprinklers

• There are essentially two types of sprinklers: spray head and rotor head. One of the main differences between the two is the way they distribute water. According to Jeff Stryker, an irrigation specialist and guru, spray head sprinklers make a "fan-shaped" distribution whereas rotor heads "rotate streams of water back and forth over the landscape." Also, rotor head sprinklers require much greater water pressure to operate than do spray heads and generally distribute a large radius of water. Both are equally reliable, but you should choose one over the other for different reasons. If you have low water pressure or a hilly landscape use spray heads. If you have a large area to water use rotor heads.

Spring Retraction

• Reliable sprinkler heads for both spray head and rotor head sprinklers will have spring retraction. There is a spring in the body of the sprinkler that regulates the pop-up riser which raises and lowers the sprinkler head. You will want a sprinkler with a strong spring to prevent the sprinkler head from sticking which keeps the sprinkler head from retracting when it is time to stop watering.

Material

• Sprinkler heads are either metal or plastic. It was in the late 1970s that plastic sprinkler heads were first developed. Plastic dominates as the material used to manufacture sprinkler heads in the 21st century, but there are hybrid sprinkler heads that can accept brass nozzles. Research suggests that brass nozzles create more even water distribution.

Pop-Up Height

• Pop-up style sprinklers pop up a specified distance from ground level when activated and retract into the ground when deactivated. The height at which you set for the sprinkler to pop up can rest on a number of factors such as the height of the plants you intend to water or the area of the space you intend to water. You can set the pop-up height of the sprinkler head higher for plants like shrubs and lower for watering the lawn, for example, but do not set the pop-up height below 3 in. or the nozzle may not reach the top of the grass immediately surrounding it.

Wiper Seal

• Some sprinkler heads come with a wiper seal while others do not. Selecting sprinkler heads that have wiper seals usually last longer than those that don't. The wiper seal is a soft plastic seal that prevents leaks in the sprinkler and keeps dirt out of the body of the sprinkler. Selecting sprinkler heads that have wiper seals will help ensure the longevity of your sprinklers.