DIY sprinkler system

[Barber]

How can i install in the easiest but effective way possible a diy sprinkler system for my front yard.my yard is only 15x15 approximately.im thinking about a system that conects to where the hose connects to
I saw the timer that connects at home depot but what goes after that, pvc?
thx

 

[Chris]

I personally would spend the extra hour or two and tee off the main line and install a proper valve instead of those hose attaching methods but either way you do go install 3/4" PVC and not 1/2" because the volumn will make a huge difference in flow.

 

[Barber]

I wouldnt know where to start as far as teeing off the main line, unless theres a tutorial i wouldnt even attempt it.my experience is kinda limited thats the reason i wanted to do the hose connection plus my yard is pretty small

 

[Chris]

One way is if your hose bib is screwed to a nipple coming out of a wall you can unscrew it and put a tee on that nipple then the hose bib on the end of the tee and then you can build your system off of the tee outlet. Take a picture and post it of your hose spigot and we can tell you if it is easily doable.

 

[Barber]

i have a male thread coming out of house and a ball valve attached to that with a male on that



I have a y splitter already connected to my ball valve,One side of the splitter is connected to my garden hose and the other is a water timer which just screwed in. but im stuck at this part.What goes next? Can pvc screw into the timer female connection?Im looking to put at least 4 sprinkler heads.

 

[Chris]

Yes PVC can screw into the timer and you can do glue fittings from there. It is better to do Galvanized or Brass above ground level for strength but it is not necessary. When you do your glue fittings make sure you use purple primer before the red hot blue glue and wait at least an hour or more before you pressurize the system.

 

[Barber]

I already dug a trench but not sure how deep it needs to be for the pvc pipe,
I need to go buy the pvc pipe and sprinkler heads now.
What size thickness or diameter for the pvc pipe should i get?
Also which sprinkler head brand is good, i saw a gear driven head-is this a good one to get?
Also will it be enough pressure from the hose for the four heads?
Sorry for all the questions.

 

[Chris]

I like to keep mine no less then 6 inches deep but they make head for all depths. I would run 3/4" PVC for the volume but for only 4 heads you could probably get away with 1/2" but I wouldn't. I don't have a preference on heads because I have never had any I disliked but only go gear driven if you are running 3/4" but depending on the size of your lawn they are probably overkill. Just read the package and makes sure they spray far enough the they will overlap each other just a bit. You should have plenty of pressure for the four heads. I don't see why not.

 

[Barber]

Great information,at what point would i need to start reducing the diameter, the number of heads or the distance?

 

[Chris]

In irrigation for a normal house I don't reduce the size at all. There shouldn't be a need. I have a lot about 13,000 feet and i use 3/4" for everything but the previous owner ran some 1/2" which I am slowly swapping out as I redo things.

 

[speedbump]

If your coming off a standard `1/2" hose bibb or whatever kind of valve you have, your already restricted to the number of sprinklers you can run. Before you install all this pipe in the ground and find out later that the heads only fizzle, why don't you try the heads your buying above ground first?

There are a myriad of different sprinklers on the market. Some put out as little as less than 1 gallon per hour to 35 gallons per minute. You should probably get a gauge to see if you even have enough pressure to operate sprinklers reliably. Not all city water pressure is the same.

If your yard is only 15 X 15, you could probably use shrub heads. They don't use much water, come in popup and regular and four of them would probably do the whole yard if placed properly.

 

[Chris]

If your coming off a standard `1/2" hose bibb or whatever kind of valve you have, your already restricted to the number of sprinklers you can run. Before you install all this pipe in the ground and find out later that the heads only fizzle, why don't you try the heads your buying above ground first?

There are a myriad of different sprinklers on the market. Some put out as little as less than 1 gallon per hour to 35 gallons per minute. You should probably get a gauge to see if you even have enough pressure to operate sprinklers reliably. Not all city water pressure is the same.

If your yard is only 15 X 15, you could probably use shrub heads. They don't use much water, come in popup and regular and four of them would probably do the whole yard if placed properly.

I sent the Speedbump signal yesterday where were you with your knowlegde?

 

[speedbump]

Sorry, I was asleep at the switch. And it takes forever to get some notifications for subscriptions.

 

[Barber]

Again,great information and thanks, love this forum

 

[Chris]

How is the system going.

 

[Barber]

Still digging the trenches,about halfway done, doing it manually with a shoverl to get the heart pumping plus my ground is real soft so its not hard at all.I pretty much only have a hr a day to work on it since i get home kinda late.I might decide on teeing into the main line vs going with the outside spigots.Should take me a week or two but ill post some pics.

 

[Barber]

Trenches dug, assembling pvc pipes now

 

[speedbump]

If your looking for some part time work, I can always use a shovel man.

Tapping into the main line would probably at least double your available water for your zones.

 

[Barber]

lol, I could use the exercise
Im gonna try it this way first, my front and back yard are small( about 20 x 20 ) plus money is a factor
Im gonna use 3 heads, if theres not enough pressure then im gonna tap into main line
Ordered a timer on Amazon, waiting for it to come in for setup and testing

 

[Chris]

Looking good.