Summertime is almost here--and what better way to enjoy the season than to install a lawn sprinkler system in your yard? Not only will it help to make your lawn greener, but your kids will have a great time running through the sprinklers all summer, too.:)
Before you begin the installation process, you'll need to measure your property, so that you know exactly what area you want the sprinkler to cover. You can use a tape measure to measure the total area of your property, including your home and items in the yard, such as a garden, fountain, or birdbath. Make sure you know which areas in your lawn hold cable or power lines; you'll most likely have to contact your electric and/or cable company to find this out. In your measurements, be sure to also indicate where there are slopes or higher ground in your yard, as well as parts of the lawn that receive more sun than others.
Then, you'll have to determine the flow rate of your sprinkler system. This is usually measured in gallons per minute (GPM), so you can determine the rate by using a bucket that is anywhere from 1 to 5 gallons. Time how long it takes for the bucket to fill to the top, then divide the time by 5 gallons and multiplying it by 60 seconds to get the final rate. This will let you know how fast or slow you'll want your new sprinkler system to be, and how quickly the system will hydrate your lawn.
Now it's time to set up a mini-system in your lawn to see just how many sprinklers you'll actually need, and how much of the yard you can cover using your original measurements. Set up sprinklers in each corner of your lawn, and along the sides. Be sure to place the sprinklers no more than 15 feet apart, since that is usually the area the sprinklers will cover. Make sure that the sprinklers you set up will reach all areas of the lawn, especially the middle of the lawn, and areas that receive a significant amount of sunlight.
At this point, you're ready to purchase the materials you'll need to start installing your sprinkler system. Now that you know the number of sprinklers that you'll need, you can determine the length of piping necessary; you'll also need other materials, like caps, a timer, valves, and pipe fittings for your sprinkler system. You should be able to find what you need at local hardware stores in your area.
Just before installation, you should contact your utilities company to make sure that all buried cables and power lines are located in your lawn. A company representative will mark these spots for you, so you'll know which areas to avoid when installing your sprinkler system. A water supply representative should be able to tell you where to tap in to the water supply for your home, so that you can set up your sprinkler system according to code regulations.
Now, you're ready to install the sprinkler system; dig the trenches that are necessary for installing piping, steering clear of the areas that contain electrical wiring. Connect valves and pipes above ground beforehand, and make sure to run water through the pipes see that there is no leakage or debris in the pipes. Then bury the pipes and use gravel right beneath the sprinklers help with drainage. Then turn on the sprinkler to see how much of the lawn it covers, and make any necessary changes.
And that's it! Now you and your family are ready to enjoy your new sprinkler system. If you have a timer for the system, you can contact an electrician to install the system for you; but since you've done such a wonderful job installing your own sprinkler system, you can incorporate the timer into your project as well, using the manufacturer's instructions.
