yard sprinkler system

[robphelan]

we're about to start getting bids for a sprinkler system..

anyone out there do this recently? any tips on which brand of heads, controllers etc.. also, what about Smart controllers - those that measure recent rainfall to bypass watering.

thanks for your input.

 

[SagaLore]

I don't have any advice for sprinklers.

But I will ask - how much yard do you have, and is a sprinkler system worth the investment?

I would just as well roll out a hose with one of those garden sprinklers, whenever its getting too dry.

 

[robphelan]

Originally posted by: SagaLore
I don't have any advice for sprinklers.

But I will ask - how much yard do you have, and is a sprinkler system worth the investment?

I would just as well roll out a hose with one of those garden sprinklers, whenever its getting too dry.

our yard is about half an acre... it doesn't sound big, but it is when you're trying to water it.

 

[EagleKeeper]

You can do it yourself.
If you choose not to; then at least determine the cost of materials.

Grid off the area in 30ft sections.
Figure on decent $2 sprinkler head with a T fittingat each junction .
Determine the cost of PVC pipe and connections to the water source.
Price out a timer. YOu will need a can of PVC cement.

You can rent a ditchwitch or use old fashion spades to lay the piping.

Enjoy.

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
You can do it yourself.
If you choose not to; then at least determine the cost of materials.

Grid off the area in 30ft sections.
Figure on decent $2 sprinkler head with a T fittingat each junction .
Determine the cost of PVC pipe and connections to the water source.
Price out a timer. YOu will need a can of PVC cement.

You can rent a ditchwitch or use old fashion spades to lay the piping.

Enjoy.

You have done this? I saw it on one of the home improvement shows a while back and it looked pretty easy, but then, so does everything on those shows. Any recommendations on where to look for more info? I have been wanting to do this to our yard for a while.

 

[ATLien247]

Ditchwitch and flexible PVC, FTW!

Just make sure you call Blue Stakes first...

 

[drnickriviera]

I did my yard a few years ago. I have around 40-45 heads. First. make sure this is going to be cost effective. I go through around 3000 gallons a day. My sprinklers are run off a well so it cost me next to nothing. If you're on city water, check the rates. Could be $2+ a day. 2nd, measure pressure and flow rates. Not that big of an issue with city water, but makes a big difference on well water. My neighbors installed a system this past summer. After they installed it, they couldn't figure out why the system had horrible performance. Turns out the heads were wanting 30 gpm, and thier pump could only supply 10gpm. Changed the nozzles and it works like a champ.

A $2 sprinkler head? Go with something like this http://www.rainbird.com/diy/products/rotors/42sa.htm Make sure it has the arc adjustment on the top of the head. If you go with rainbrid, spend extra for the rain curtain nozzles.

Rain bird has a design service. Send them a drawing and the will calculate everything. They will give a parts list to buy.

 

[stinkynathan]

Originally posted by: robphelan

we're about to start getting bids for a sprinkler system..

anyone out there do this recently? any tips on which brand of heads, controllers etc.. also, what about Smart controllers - those that measure recent rainfall to bypass watering.

thanks for your input.

My dad and I operated a sprinkler service spring through fall for about 7-8 summers, so...here we go.........

First, I recommend that you go with Rain Bird products but only because thats all we've ever used. I can't comment on the quality of other brands, such as Toro, because I just have never used them.

Second, DO NOT USE PVC. There are very few situations where using PVC is a good idea. I think I only used it once in the whole time we installed these systems and that was when we used something like 3" PVC as a sort of mainline to each of the valve boxes. DO use the black flex pipe. I can't recall what its called at the moment, but it is very good stuff. If your lines do end up freezing with a bit of water the black pipe can flex a bit without bursting. Using this type of pipe just about requires you to use a vibrating plow to install it. This is what they look like -> http://www.ditchwitch.com/dwcom/Product/ProductView/104 . Our was quite a bit older than that (late 1960s) but they last forever with proper maintenence.

http://www.rainbird.com/contractor/products/rotors.htm
As far as the heads go we always used the R-50 for the open areas. Not sure on their throw radius. If I remember correctly they were the most cost-effective way to water larger areas as the Turf Bird is quite a bit more expensive. I'm not sure of the availability of these in your case if you were to do this job yourself.

http://www.rainbird.com/contractor/products/sprays.htm
For smaller areas (think boulevard-width) we used the 1800 series spray heads with whatever nozzle we needed. You can get pop-up extensions for these to clear short bushes but you'll want to keep those in your landscaping (near the house?) as they can be broken off easily. I'm not sure on the availability of these either.

The fittings you can buy at hardware stores are pretty much junk. Make sure you use a backflow preventer when you bring the water line out of the house (probably required by your state building code anyway).

http://www.rainbird.com/contractor/products/controllers.htm
We used one of the top 3 controllers for almost all of our jobs. They're very easy to work with and set. The rain sensor you speak of is a small device that gets mounted on your roof and plugs into the controller box. They are also very easy to set up.

There's really a lot that goes into these systems that the layperson wouldn't think of. I'd really recommend, if you want to have a good system, to have it done by people that really know what they're doing. If you have any questions at all you can PM me if you'd like.

nate