210-742-5004
San Antonio Landscaping Irrigation Services
How to Water Your Lawn
What You Need to Irrigate Your LawnThe basic components of your lawn irrigation system are control valves, pipes, pipe fittings, risers, sprinkler heads, and controllers. You need to know these components and what each does, whether you’re installing the system yourself or hiring a professional:
Control valves: Control valves regulate the flow of water from the main source through the pipes and on to the sprinkler heads. Control valves, in turn, connect to the controller, or timer, that automatically opens and shuts the control valves. Most irrigation systems consist of a series of circuits (groups of sprinklers), each regulated by a control valve.
You need this setup because a typical home doesn’t have enough water pressure to water the entire lawn and service the house all at the same time. The control valves operate different circuits at different times, keeping water pressure at a steady rate. Control valves also have vacuum breakers, or antisiphon valves, that prevent back-flow of water into the main line. Backflow-prevention devices are required by law in most areas. Pipes: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is the most common material used to make pipes. Pipe is usually 10 to 20 feet long and is often 3/4 inch or 1 inch in diameter, the same size as that used in the house’s service line. PVC pipes have a flared end and a standard end. The flared end fits over the standard end when connecting the pipes with solvent.
Controllers: The controller is really the timer system, which tells the control valves when to open and close. Controllers are usually solid-state with electronic components. They operate on a 24-volt circuit with 18-gauge, jacketed electrical cable that must be suitable for use underground. Controllers are safe and easy to install.
A controller really makes your life easier because it can:
|
Sprinkler heads: Sprinkler heads throw or spray the water over your lawn. Most heads are set in recessed collars. When the water gets turned on at the source, the water pressure causes the heads to pop up and spray. The heads can be plastic or brass or a combination. You can adjust or adapt lawn sprinklers to spray different patterns, from a full 360 degrees to 180 degrees to only 90 degrees and to full or partial circles. Other types of heads water long, narrow areas. Controllers: The controller is really the timer system, which tells the control valves when to open and close. Controllers are usually solid-state with electronic components. They operate on a 24-volt circuit with 18-gauge, jacketed electrical cable that must be suitable for use underground. Controllers are safe and easy to install. A controller really makes your life easier because it can:
You can adjust or adapt lawn sprinklers to spray different patterns, from a full 360 degrees to 180 degrees to only 90 degrees and to full or partial circles. Other types of heads water long, narrow areas. Moisture sensors: Moisture sensors read how moist the soil is. The sensors usually connect to an automatic controller that is set to water everyday. If the soil is still wet, the moisture sensor short-circuits the controller and makes it skip that day. The sprinklers don’t come on until the soil is dry and water is needed.
|