PROJECTS ONLINE: AN INTRODUCTION TO INSTALLING AN IN-GROUND SPRINKLER SYSTEM
Project Difficulty:
Moderate
An in-ground sprinkler system with a timer is the crème de la crème in watering systems for any lawn or garden area. If well-designed, it distributes water evenly and consistently, and prevents overwatering, waste, and erosion. Once installed, all you have to do is set the timer and the system will water your plants and lawn automatically. No hoses or watering cans to fiddle with. You need only remember to turn it off during rain showers or drought restrictions, leave instructions for caretakers when you go on vacation, reset it during daylight savings time, and move out of the way when it turns on. Before you get to this lap of luxury, however, you need to install it, which, if you plan to do it yourself, can get a little technical.
1.
The Basics
A sprinkler system consists of sprinkler heads arranged in zones (Fig. 1), each zone controlled by an electric valve connected to a clock. The clock triggers each sprinkler zone in succession, at a pre-set day and time.
Before you install an in-ground sprinkler system, check existing code requirements with your local building, water, sanitation, and health departments. These offices will offer information to help you with proper installation.
