You may be intimidated by designing and building your sprinkler system. However, if you have experience working with plumbing and have designed other areas of your outdoor space, you can easily create a design and build your irrigation system.

In this blog post, you’ll learn about the following:

• Designing your sprinkler system to save water and money
• Checking water pressure and flow for even coverage
• Evaluating your landscape for maximum water efficiency
• Building your sprinkler system with step-by-step guidance.

Designing Your Sprinkler System to Save Water and Money

When designing your sprinkler system, you need to assess your property’s size, shape, microclimates, and plant watering needs. For example, your turfgrass needs regular watering to keep it green.

Next, you need to hydrozone your lawn and landscape for smart watering. For instance, succulents and sedums don’t need a lot of watering. Plant them in an area that doesn’t receive a lot of water.
Meanwhile, your thirsty turf will need regular watering and be grouped as its hydrozone. Continue to split up your yard into different hydrozones.

Checking Water Pressure and Flow for Even Coverage

Ensure your sprinkler system adequately waters your lawn with the correct water flow, which relies on your home’s water pressure. Also, follow our manufacturer’s recommendations for the appropriate water pressure for your K-Rain Sprinkler System.

We suggest that you stay within the recommended 30 psi to 45 psi. If you go higher than that range, you’ll find

• Fast flow rate
• Fogging
• Misting
• Overspray
• Uneven coverage.

All of these issues lead to wasting water.
 
Setting your water pressure higher than our recommendations will cause you to waste water, which will cost you money on your utility bill. Use a water gauge to test your home’s water pressure. Learn more about this process here.

Place your sprinkler heads to reach the next sprinkler for even coverage; your irrigation system will then water your lawn evenly.

Upgrade your irrigation system to include rain/freeze sensors. These sensors will turn your system off when temperatures fall to 32°F or when it starts to rain. You’ll conserve water and save money on your water bill.

Map a Sprinkler System with Help from K-Rain

You don’t have to go alone when designing your automatic sprinkler system. Indeed, K-Rain Sprinkler Systems are engineered to be easy for the homeowner to install.
Plus, we put together a CAD detail design to help you build your sprinkler system. You can click on the specific part links to find instructions for designing your irrigation system:

• Irrigation Controllers
• LandFX
• Rain Sensor
• Rotors
• Sprays
• Valves.

Click this link for written specifications for K-Rain products. We also provide manuals and videos to help you better understand each part and how to use it. We even have a water calculator so you can make the best irrigation choices for your lawn and landscaped areas.

Building Your Sprinkler System with Step-by-Step Guidance

Now it’s time to install your automatic water sprinkler. Here is a step-by-step guide for installing your sprinkler system:

1. Plan your sprinkler system layout, starting with sprinkler heads. These include rotary heads, fixed spray heads for flowerbeds, and tree bubblers for trees and shrubs.
2. Draw a sprinkler layout design using a scaled drawing of your yard, marking where you’ll place the sprinkler heads. Plan out the pipe layout to avoid obstacles such as hardscapes and driveways.
3. You’ll need the following items to build your water sprinkler system:

• Sprinkler heads
• PVC or polyethylene pipes
• Tees, elbows, and couplings
• Indexing valves
• Backflow preventer
• Pressure regulator
• Irrigation controllers
• A shovel
• A trencher or a trenching tool.

• Digging trenches 6-12” deep, sloping downward for drainage
• Laying your mainline pipe along the proposed route and connect with lateral lines to each zone
• Attaching sprinkler heads to risers, making sure that they’re level with the ground
• Connecting the valves and timers to the mainline and the controller
• Attaching the backflow preventer and water pressure gauge.

• Flushing the system to remove debris
• Looking for any leaks
• Running each zone to ensure even water distribution
• Adjusting sprinkler heads as needed.

Achieve Sprinkler System Success with K-Rain

Build your sprinkler system using only the best when you invest with K-Rain Irrigation Products. We have everything you need to design and construct a new water sprinkler.

Buy our water sprinkler parts online or at The Home Depot and Lowe's near you. For hassle-free setup, find a skilled contractor through our website—ensuring your system is installed perfectly for optimal performance.

Need help with K-Rain products? Contact our customer service team at 800-735-7246 or through our contact form.

Sources:
OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT.com for building instructions.