How Do Automatic Lawn Sprinklers Work?

Valves

• Valves are the heart of any automatic irrigation system. Valves, usually made out of plastic, are arranged in a line on a main pipe called a manifold. The valves use an electronic signal from a timer to push down a plunger on a plastic or rubber diaphragm. The pressure releases a vacuum and allows water to flow through the valve and into the supple line. Valves are made up of the main body and a solenoid, which receives the electronic signal.

Supply Lines

• Once water leaves the valve, it must get to your sprinklers. This is done through a series of pipes called supply lines. Most modern sprinkler supply lines are made out of PVC, a molded plastic that is affordable, durable and will never rust. Some older systems may have metal pipes, but these will rust and decay over time. Sections of supply lines are connected to one another using PVC joints and fittings, which are glued together using a special solvent.

Timers

• Most sprinkler systems have an electronic timer that sends the electric signal to the valves. These timers, which can be installed inside or outside, are set by the user to turn on at pre-determined intervals. Timers can accommodate, four, six, eight or 12 zones. Each zone represents a single valve that is connected to the timer.

Sprinkler Heads

• The water exits the system through sprinkler heads and finally makes it onto the lawn. Sprinkler heads are almost always buried underground. They use water pressure to pop-up above ground and to clear water over the grass line. Sprinklers can be made out of metal or plastic, but the plastic sprinklers are considered an industry standard for residential uses. Sprinkler models include pop-up sprayers, rotating heads and impact heads. Pop-up sprayers are great for small yards, while rotating heads and impact sprinklers are better for large areas. Most sprinklers are adjustable for throw distance, or how far the water will fly from the head.