Design rules for an underground sprinkler system

This continues our last post about planning an underground sprinkler system. This post will cover some design rules for planning an underground sprinkler system for residential homes. Basic rules for a sprinkler system are essential to ensure proper lawn watering and a healthy lawn.

Design rules for an underground sprinkler system

Areas covered by one circuit must be watered together for watering needs.

Each circuit should use no more than 75% of the available flow rate. To determine each circuit’s flow rate, add the sprinkler heads’ flow rate as given in the catalog description.

Do not mix different types of sprinkler heads, e.g., impulse, spray, shrub bubblers, etc., on one circuit.

Take your time planning the circuits. It may take two or three tries to get it right.

Next, draw the pipe from the house water supply to the manifold. From there, draw in every valve to every head on the circuit. Plan to use the same trench for installing two or more waterlines whenever possible. Avoid going under walks or driveways or near trees. If you are using PVC or another rigid pipe, draw straight lines with right-angle turns, you can lay polyethylene pipe in curves.

Following these Design rules for an underground sprinkler system will make a massive difference in your success as a lawn gardener.