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A sprinkler system has four main components:
valves, pipes, sprinklers and an automatic timer control. The
valves regulate how much water flows through the pipes to the
sprinklers. The timer control regulates which valve is opened,
when and for how long. The standard material for pipes is PVC
(polyvinyl chloride). There are many styles of sprinklers to suit
different needs.
PVC pipe is the standard for residential irrigation.
PVC is inexpensive, durable and easily handled. Galvanized steel
pipe can be used, but it is more expensive and much more difficult
to install. Irrigation pipes are buried under ground in trenches,
typically 9 to 18 inches deep. You must check with your local
water company and/or appropriate municipal authority for information
on building codes or required permits to install an underground
sprinkler system. Furthermore, you must check with the local utility
company before you begin digging. Serious injury or death can
result from digging where buried electrical cables or gas lines
exist.
Because most homes don't have enough water pressure
to water everything at once, a sprinkler system is divided into
zones. Another reason to do this is that different parts of your
yard need different amounts of water. Your lawn needs more water
than your cactus garden, so they should be in different zones.
You can include separate areas of your yard into the same zone
if you like. For instance, you may have two separate lawn areas
that require the same amount of watering time. These two areas
can be in the same zone or in two separate zones; whichever better
serves your needs. Each zone is controlled by one valve. You can
have as many valves as you need; however your timer control must
have a provide a control circuit for each valve.
When planning a sprinkler system, you should
group vegetation by how much and how frequently it needs to be
watered. If you have sunny flower beds and shaded beds, they will
probably need to be treated separately. This can be done by placing
them into separate zones. Another way to do this is with drip
irrigation. Drip irrigation uses sprinklers that allow precise
watering. The emitters, bubblers and misters used in drip irrigation
are rated in Gallons Per Minute (GPM) of water flow. You can mix
high flow and low flow irrigation equipment all in the same watering
zone.
Each zone will have one valve controlling one
or more sprinkler heads. Sprinkler heads come in a wide variety
of coverage patterns. You can select an assortment of coverage
patterns to cover the entire zone. Add together the flow rate
of the heads to be used in the zone. If they exceed the flow rate
of the water supply, you will have to divide up the zone so that
there is adequate pressure for the heads to be used.
Some manufacturers and home centers offer free
design services to layout your sprinkler system. Take advantage
of this service, it will save you time and help you to avoid costly
mistakes.
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