DIY Network

Sprinklers From "10 Things You Must Know" episode DTEN-112

Here are the 10 Things You Must Know about installing sprinklers.

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Sprinkler Countdown

10. Let a plumber bring your water outside. Often times, your sprinkler installers are not licensed plumbers, and most likely, neither are you. Having a licensed professional come in to do simple work will save you a headache and valuable repair time.

9. Zone out your water pressure. Usually, the higher your water pressure is, the better. No one likes taking a shower with a trickle of water coming out of the showerhead. Your sprinkler system has to be carefully regulated to maximize efficiency. There are often markings on your sprinkler heads so that you don't overpower your pumps.

8. Rotary and fixed should never be mixed. There are two main types of sprinkler heads to be installed: fixed and rotary, which put out differing amounts of water. If they're mixed, it can cause big problems for your newly installed system. Be sure you know which heads you have and be mindful of their placement.

7. Watch out for deep rooted problems. Tree roots pose a time-consuming problem when it comes to installing a sprinkler system. While they are both avoidable, it adds a degree of frustration to your carefully mounted project. Check the surrounding area and brainstorm ideas for trying to avoid roots for your lines and heads.

6. Funny pipe is no joke. Funny pipe is used to connect your sprinkler heads with the poly pipe. It's extremely flexible and virtually unbreakable, which makes for a durable fit. It also helps with any water pressure issues you may be experiencing. Take a little time to research using it in your application.

5. Send the water with solenoids. Solenoids is a fancy term for the valves that regulate each zone of your yard. They allow water to enter each zone, and shut it off after a specified amount of time. These are the heart of your system and are controlled by low voltage wiring.

4. Water your lawn, not early morning joggers. While it may seem easier to just throw the water all over your property, you need to be aware of your surroundings. Many areas don't allow watering of the sidewalk, and you don't want to be liable for any slips or falls that may occur as a result of sloppy watering.

3. Lawns are thirsty early in the morning. Watering late at night may seem like a no-brainer because most likely no one is using your lawn at those hours, but there are more practical reasons for watering in the morning. Mold and mildew are more likely to target your house with the increased moisture conditions overnight, and any excess water that may build up will be burned off by the midday sun.

2. Let nature lighten your water bill. Not only are they required under water conservation laws, a rain sensor can prevent you from spending your hard-earned money on over-saturation of your lawn. The sensors are usually attached to your home and automatically turn the system off if there has been significant rainfall.

1. Water, pipes and winter don't mix. Winterizing your system can be one of the best yearly investments you can make. Essentially an air compressor is hooked up to your sprinkler lines after shutting off the primary valve inside your house. The water is blown out of the lines to prevent freezing and expansion and eventual breakage of your lines, solenoids and hard work.

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• Know your lawn to maximize the sprinkler's efficiency. A common practice with landscaping companies is to sketch a drawing of your yard, and based on the sprinkler heads (rotary, mist, drip) you have available, map out approximately where each head will go and its corresponding range. This will allow you to avoid over-purchasing and planning when you know precisely where you can take full advantage of your lawn's coverage.

• Choose plants that require little water. You are not limited to cacti, succulents, or narrow leafed evergreens when selecting plants adapted to low moisture requirements. Choosing plants that require lower levels of water is another easy fix for costly water bills and can make your sprinkler system super efficient. Numerous plants have developed mechanisms for dealing with extremely sandy, excessively well-drained soils, or rocky cold soils in which moisture is limited for months at a time (California poppy, juniper, lavender, sage, iris, thyme). Plants that occur naturally in the local environment will likely need less moisture than non-native species. These species have evolved under local conditions and usually have well-develop.