How to Lay Out an Underground Sprinkler System

Create a map of your lawn using graphing paper. This requires measuring the dimensions of your yard to begin the project. Create the map to scale. For example, an inch on the graphing paper can represent 10 feet of property.

Add your house, garage and all other permanent structures to your map. Add large trees and sidewalks as well.

Contact your local utility companies to find out where underground pipes are located. Mark these on your map and avoid them when laying out your sprinkler system. Even if you have a general idea of where underground pipes' location, double check with utility companies for safety.

Place the manifold for the sprinkler system close the water supply line on the map.

Draw lines where you plan to install the sprinkler system. Cover all areas of your yard that include greenery and plants that need watering. Areas that slope high receive less water pressure, and possibly require additional sprinklers. Where you place the sprinklers will also depend on the type you plan to install. For example, some sprinkler heads rotate back and forth, covering a wider area than those that stay still, which means you will need less of them.