If you want the lushest-looking landscape with healthy grass, flourishing trees, and vibrant flowers throughout, then a DIY irrigation system is the best route to take. It might sound like an upscale luxury, but irrigation systems boost your home’s value and they use water more efficiently, which is good for the environment and good for your wallet. So what is an irrigation system exactly? This article answers that, plus the pros from JHC Landscaping go over how to install an irrigation system.
Before You Begin
Acquire permits and contact your local authorities to survey the property and mark any hidden utility lines such as gas or electricity. Also be sure to check that your main water line can produce the right amount of water pressure for an irrigation system, typically between 30 and 35 pounds per square inch (psi). It’s also important to know your budget.
How much is an irrigation system? In Ontario, residential irrigation systems can cost anywhere between $2,400 and $7,000 depending on the size of the system and the type of sprinklers used.
Plan the Layout
Wondering how to start installing an irrigation system? Every DIY irrigation system begins with a detailed plan. Good planning lets you figure out how many zones you’ll need and which type of sprinkler heads go in specific locations.
A thoughtfully designed irrigation system will help you avoid wasting water while delivering the optimal amount of water to your landscape.
Dig the Trenches
The first step is to find the water source you’ll be tapping into. In most cases, this is a pipe connected to your water meter, or it could be another pipe below the ground. Use flags and wooden stakes to mark the position of all trenches.
Digging by hand or using a gas-powered trenching machine, dig your trenches to a depth of between 4 and 12 inches. Trench depth depends on the climate and geographic location of your home.
Connect the Water
Disconnect your home from the main water supply, cut into the line and add a tee fitting with your desired choice of pipe material such as copper or PVC.
If you don’t feel comfortable cutting into your home’s water supply, you can always hire a plumber for this specific part of your DIY irrigation system project.
Install the Zone Valves
Dig a trench from your valve box location to the main water line. At the valve box location, dig a hole that’s between 2 and 3 feet long at a depth of 18 inches. Place two inches of gravel at the bottom of the hole and place the valve box on top of the gravel inside the hole.
The valve box’s lid should be even with the grass, and if it’s not, adjust your hole depth of gravel level accordingly. Construct your pipe manifold and connect the zone valves, placing the completed manifold inside the valve box hole. Using 1-inch schedule 40 PVC pipes, run pipes from your main water line to a backflow preventer device. Connect this new component to your manifold. Finally, dig a shallow trench leading from the valve box to the timer. Attach wires running from the timer to each zone valve.
Add Pipes in the Trenches
Place PVC pipe in your trenches that all lead to the valve box. At each sprinkler head, add a tee fitting.
For any sections that connect to drip-irrigation tubes, use a short vertical piece of pipe connected to an upturned elbow, as well as add a pressure reducer (pick ones that come with a microfilter).
Connect the Pipes and Valve Box
PVC water pieces should be joined to the zone valve pipes using 90-degree elbow pieces. The zone valve pipes typically stick out from the valve box.
Briefly turn on your water to push dirt and debris out of your sprinkler system. Shut off the water again to continue sprinkler installation.
Install the Sprinkler Heads
Install your pop-up sprinkler heads on the end of each pipe. Barbed fittings pushed into the pipe ensure that no hose clamp or glue is needed to complete the installation.
Taking off each sprinkler cap, add your desired spray nozzle as determined by your project outline.
Roll Out the Pipes
How about an irrigation system for your garden? As your sprinkler pipe system gets near trees and flowerbeds, add drip irrigation tubing with pressure reducers and microfilters. As you roll out the tubing, keep it near the plants’ bases.
Working back and forth across the flower bed, keep all rows of tubes at least 12 inches apart. At the end of the tube, cut it, fold it and seal it with a clamp. Installation can be made easier if you leave the pipe to soften in the sun for a few hours before laying it out.
Install Ground Stakes
Using plastic ground stakes, secure your laid-out irrigation tubing, making sure there is one stake at least every 24 inches. Keep in mind that it’s not uncommon for two stakes to be placed close together on either side of the tubing running to the sprinkler head.
To ensure irrigation tubes are most effective, cover them in at least four inches of bark-based mulch to prevent quick evaporation.
Connect the Timer
Install your timer on the wall of your home. Carefully strip insulation from the ends of the wires that lead to the timer from the zone valves. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, attach wires to the timer terminals.
Set your timer and test that every zone is working well, adjusting sprinkler heads for optimal lawn coverage. If you need assistance getting a power supply to your timer box, you should hire a certified electrician.
Maintenance Tips
Now that you know how to install an irrigation system, remember to regularly clean your sprinkler heads, as dirt and debris may clog the nozzles over time.
Also, inspect tubing, valves, and wiring, keeping an eye out for signs of leaking or low water pressure. If you ever need advice or help with irrigation system installation, contact the irrigation specialists at JHC Landscaping to book your free consultation today.