| Underground Sprinkler: The Advantages of an In-ground Sprinkler System |
From "Weekend Handyman"
episode WKH-106 |
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Note: Click here for a materials list and complete instructions without images. Time: 18 hours over 2 days. Difficulty Rating: It's rated a 4 on a scale of 1 to 5.
Materials for Complete Project: Sprinkler heads (several different types)
Pipe
Wire
Valves
Controller panel
Poly-pipe cutter
Oetiker clamp pliers
Clamps
Wire cutter
Wire stripper
Shovels
Tape
Trenching device (vibratory plow)
Marking flags
Drip line
Map gas
Back flow preventer
Pneumatic boring tool
Tee connectors
Rubber mallet
Auger
Riser fitting
Rain sensor - Call your utility company and have them mark up the yard for existing varied cables, gas and water main lines for you.
- Gather equipment and tools.
- Rent a trenching device (vibratory plow -- figure A).
Tip: After utility lines have been marked and before you start trenching, it's important to hand-dig across your utility lines (figure B). You'll need to hand-dig approximately 24" on either side of the mark and about 12" down. This will prevent making contact with the utility lines with any trenching machinery you may utilize. Tip: It's important to have the spray from one sprinkler head to make contact with the other head to make sure there will be no drought spots on your lawn. This illustration (figure C) demonstrates the distance from one head to the other, approximately 40 feet if you're using a rotary head sprinkler, however, be sure to check the manufacturer's information to make sure before installing the heads. With a little overlap, you'd space these particular heads 35' apart. - Map out where sprinkler heads, pipes, valves and timer system go.
- Choose type of sprinkler heads:
- Rotary heads are great for large areas and cover approximately 40'.
- Fixed spray heads have a maximum spraying power of about 15', which is perfect for tighter (along the side of the house or near a raised garden) areas.
- Soaker tube has tiny drip holes that disperse water a little at a time.
- Draw up a plan with zones for the sprinkler heads (figure D).
Tip: To properly set up your zones, you'll need to know what the flow-read is at 40 pounds of pressure on your water valve. A rotary sprinkler head works best at 40 pounds of water pressure. To do this, attach a flow meter (figure E ) to your outside water spout, turn on the water, and then adjust the flow meter until the gauge reads 40 psi. Take your reading (8 gallons per minute in our case). - Determine central location for valve manifold for the front yard and for the backyard.
- Mark yard with flags where the sprinklers will go.
- In order to run an irrigation system, you'll need water, so there are a couple of things you can do:
- Remove the backyard spigot and install a back-flow preventor (figure F), which isolates the irrigation system from the main waterline. It lets water out, in other words, but doesn't let water back in. This prevents the water from becoming contaminated. Once the back-flow mechanism is on, you'll be connecting it to your main valve box. Be sure to mark the spot.
- Tap into main water-service line.
RESOURCES :
Dingo, Vibratory Plow, High Torque Auger Power Head (Toro Company)
Dingo TX 425 Wide Track -- Model 22307
Vibratory Plow -- Model 22910
High Torque Auger Power Head -- Model 22400
Toro Company Inc.
Website: www.toro.com
Apple Irrigation Information
Apple Irrigation
Website: www.appleirrigation.com
GUESTS :
Mike Kilmer
Owner, Apple Irrigation
PO Box 240535
Apple Valley, MN 55124
Phone: 612-695-5552
Email: Mkilmer@appleirrigation.com
Website: www.appleirrigation.com
Brad Paine
Associate Marketing Manager, Toro Companies
8111 Lyndale Ave. South
Bloomington, MN 55420
Phone: 952-887-7128
Tollfree Phone: 800-348-2424 (x7128)
Email: Brad.paine@toro.com
Website: www.toro.com
Ron Swenson
Irrigation Sales, MTI
4830 Azelia Ave.
North Suite 100
Brooklyn Center, MN 55429
Phone: 763-592-5600
Website: www.MTIdistributing.com
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