Posts Tagged sprinkler systems
Setting Up a Sprinkler System Design to Save Water
Nothing is as gratifying as living in a home surrounded by blossoming flowerbeds and thriving lawns. Green and meticulous landscaping can transform any dull compound into a beautiful little paradise. However, if you live in a dry or semi-dry area, maintaining a green lawn throughout the year might prove to be a challenge. This is the point where investing in a good sprinkler system design comes in handy.
What is a Sprinkler System?
A sprinkler system refers to an irrigation system that waters your gardens and lawns without requiring much effort. It consists of a pump, a set of pipes, laterals, and sprinklers that all work together to extract, transport, and spray droplets of water to your garden, lawns, and flowerbeds.
The essence of this system is to irrigate your lawn and landscaping without your intervention using the least amount of water. You can set it up to be watering your lawn automatically at specific times of the day, even while you are away.
The benefits of installing a sprinkler system in your yard can never be understated. Sprinkler systems ensure your lawn remains green throughout the year while saving you from the hassle of having to water your garden every day.
Components of a Sprinkler System Design
A basic sprinkler system design consists of five major components. These include:
1. Pump
For a sprinkler system to work effectively, it must come with a pump. The work of the pump is to draw water from the source and push it into the piping system. The pumping system produces adequate pressure to extract and discharge water into the sprinkler system for efficient irrigation.
2. Pipes
The sprinkler system also consists of a network of pipes that transport water from the pump into the laterals for even distribution during watering. Your landscaper may install the pipelines above or below the ground depending on the design of the sprinkler system. Since the pipes remain exposed to harsh elements, they consist of rigid materials such as asbestos cement or aluminum alloy.
3. Laterals
The laterals are the tubes between the valves and the sprinkler heads. They hold water temporarily until the system turns the valves on or off. Laterals do not require much strength to function, and they usually consist of cheap materials such as plastic.
4. Valves
The valves open and close the laterals, allowing water to enter into the sprinkler heads for distribution. Each valve controls a different irrigation zone. The valves essentially divide the various watering zones allowing them to run independently.
5. Sprinkler Heads
There are several different sprinkler heads, but the two main types of sprinklers are rotary sprinklers and spray nozzles. As the name implies, the sprinkler head receives water from the pipes and sprays it on your lawn or garden in the form of water jets or droplets. The sprinklers are positioned strategically throughout the compound to ensure even watering.
Controllers and Rain Sensors
Modern sprinkler systems come with a controller and a rain sensor. The controller is the epicenter of the sprinkler system. You can program it to run the sprinkler system at specific times of the day and determine how long you want the system to stay on.
Highly advanced sprinkler systems have rain and moisture sensors integrated into the controller box. These sensors automatically detect the level of moisture to determine when to activate or deactivate the sprinkler. Some are even capable of automatically suspending a watering session in case of rain.
How to Set Up a Sprinkler System Design
No doubt, sprinkler systems are essential in keeping our lawns and gardens green throughout the year. However, they can be wasteful if set up incorrectly.
Here are the steps on how to set up your sprinkler system for efficient and effective watering:
- Obtain all the necessary permits and approvals before beginning the installation process
- Determine your water pressure to help you space your sprinklers. Ideally, the pressure required for each sprinkler head should be equal to the radius it needs to spray. For instance, if the water pressure is 48 psi, you may place six sprinkler heads with an 8-foot spray
- Map out the sprinkler system and dig the trenches
- Connect the pipes to the main water supply
- Install the zone valves
- Install the pipelines in the trenches
- Connect the pipes to the zone valves
- Install the sprinkler heads
- Install the ground heads
- Connect the controller
Call the Pros to Set Up Your Sprinkler System Design
A good sprinkler system design should use the least amount of water, and it should give you maximum control over how and when the system should water your lawn. However, installing the system can be a massive challenge even for seasoned do-it-yourselfers. That’s why it is always a good idea to involve the pros.
Our experts at DK Landscaping can help you set up your sprinkler system to save water while keeping your landscaping green throughout the year. Contact us to learn more about our services.
