Foundations of Sprinkler System Design
Before installing a sprinkler system, homeowners should determine their property's dimensions.
A sprinkler system keeps your lawn hydrated and healthy-looking. It takes the burden off homeowners and ensures the lawn is watered even when they're busy. Still, the basics of a sprinkler system might seem complicated and deter homeowners from getting one for their homes.
Learning about the elements of a sprinkler system design is crucial, as it may encourage more homeowners to consider this neat solution for dry lawns.
Sprinkler system parts
Sprinkler systems have many parts to ensure the lawn is well-watered whenever necessary. A lawn sprinkler can't do without a stable water source, which can be a well, a pump, or a water utility. The water is distributed to the mainline and then carried to the irrigation system.
The backflow preventer ensures potentially contaminated water doesn't flow back to the mainline and into drinking water.
Water flows from the backflow to the valves. The valves allow the pipes to deliver water to the sprinklers. They're positioned beneath the soil surface, and each valve has a different irrigation zone. However, a controller or timer determines when the valves close and open.
The timer is programmed to start and stop the sprinkler system whenever the homeowners want. They could have rain sensors that determine when the soil is sufficiently moist and doesn't need additional watering.
The sprinklers can be stationary, rotary, oscillating, impact, and traveling. As the name suggests, rotary sprinkles rotate and distribute water in a set arc. Nozzles can be 90-degree, 180-degree, and 360-degree. Oscillating sprinklers distribute water like a waterfall with multiple stationary nozzles. Impact sprinklers move by shooting out water in powerful streams and can reach high distances.
Stationary sprinklers might not move, but you can choose different designs and spraying patterns. However, note that they're not ideal for large lawns. On the other hand, traveling sprinklers move the most by traveling on the wheels on a set path along the hose.
All nozzles are available in pop-up type, meaning they can stay hidden below the ground's surface when they're not working.
How to choose the right type of sprinkler
Before installing a sprinkler system, homeowners should determine their property's dimensions. Larger areas need a sprinkler that moves or has considerable reach.
Since spray systems are designed for differently-shaped lawns, the shape of the yard also plays a role in the final choice. Ensure there aren't any buildings or objects that could get wet from the sprinkler.
Moreover, homeowners should determine how often the area needs watering and the ideal water pressure before investing in additional sprinkler system features.
Get expert advice
Answering all these questions with limited knowledge about irrigation systems can be demanding. A professional sprinkler system installer can help homeowners determine all aspects and decide on the perfect sprinkler.
With over 10 years of experience in the Peoria, Arizona, area, HS Irrigation and Landscape Lighting offers sprinkler design and installation, irrigation repair and maintenance, drip irrigation, and landscape lighting design and installation. Feel free to call us at 623 292 5478.
