The Best Underground Lawn Sprinkler Systems

Automated Systems

• Most underground sprinkler systems are automatic systems. This means that they use electronic controls that homeowners set to determine when the sprinklers operate. Watering overnight, when there is no sun to evaporate water before it enters the ground, and for a set length of time reduces overall water consumption. This means that automated systems cost less in terms of water bills and also lessen the homeowner's environmental impact.

Shallow Systems

• Underground sprinkler systems that are buried close to the surface are significantly easier to install and simpler to repair or replace as needed. Some systems, particularly those that use rigid pipes, need to be buried as deep as 18 inches below the surface of your yard. Others use flexible pipes that don't need the same amount of insulation from surface temperature and can be placed in small, narrow trenches that are only a few inches deep. In both cases you need to diagram the location of your system so that you can avoid it while digging to install new plants or landscaping elements.

Complete and Universal Systems

• Some of the biggest costs associated with an underground sprinkler system involve connecting the plumbing and automated controller to your system and home. However, installing pipes and sprinkler heads presents an added cost, especially if your system is extensive and includes multiple sprinkler heads, long water pipes and deep digging for installation. To keep costs to a minimum, install a sprinkler system that covers your entire yard. This gives you freedom to add plants without needing to change or upgrade your underground sprinkler. Universal sprinkler systems accept sprinkler heads from many manufacturers and also save costs since they give you more options for selecting the heads and controllers that fit your needs and budget.

Best Sprinkler Heads

• There is no single type of sprinkler head that provides the best coverage or efficiency for an underground sprinkler system. Instead, the best option depends on your yard's needs. A garden containing delicate flowers and plants may need a special head that allows water to drip into the soil, while a patch of grass can take the pressure of a high-powered spray head that quickly soaks the lawn. If you install sprinkler heads in areas that you mow, the best option is pop-up heads, which rise up from their positions underground when water pressure builds up behind them.