Installing an irrigation system can be tricky. It can take time and resources, but it doesn’t have to be a challenge.

Learn and utilize these four secrets to help you successfully install an irrigation system to keep the grass green all year long.

Spacing

Like all big projects, installing an irrigation system begins with proper planning. Start by mapping out the proper spacing between each sprinkler head to get the most out of your system.

In order to ensure all areas of the grass get watered, sprinkler heads must provide head-to-head coverage, meaning each sprinkler’s spray distance must reach to the other sprinkler in front of it.

To get head-to-head coverage, check with the manufacturer or measure the sprinkler’s overall radius. That number will equal the distance between heads.

Pressure

The next step in creating a successful irrigation system is to make sure you have proper pressure. Depending on the site, plant type and spacing, the pressure for each sprinkler head needs to be accurate to that specific area’s needs.

Sprinkler heads and drip emitters require a certain amount of pressure in order to perform properly. This value can be found in the manufacturers’ catalogs. Water pressure is lost due to friction as water flows through the pipes, valves and other components. That loss needs to be calculated and added to the sprinkler heads’ required pressure in order to determine the minimum amount of pressure you’ll need for your system to work properly.

Later, if you run into issues with pressure, read this Ewing blog to figure out how to solve them.

Matched precipitation

Once you’ve created proper pressure for the plants and turf you’re caring for, the next step is to match the precipitation rate for each zone. This means the amount of water an area receives will not change regardless of how the nozzles are adjusted.

Heads with low precipitation rates allow water to seep into the ground, preventing water from being wasted and directing it to the plant’s roots.

You can easily get matched precipitation with any of ourwater efficient rotary or spray nozzles.

Maintenance

After you’ve set up, applied pressure and matched your precipitation rates for your system, the work isn’t finished yet. Maintain your hard work to keep the water flowing and the grass growing.

Regular irrigation inspections that include checking the backflow device, adjusting sprinkler heads and using a water meter to measure flow can help you maintain the hard work you’ve already done.

If you’d like to learn more about these tips, register for a Ewing Education course at EwingEducationServices.com. Leave a comment below and let us know how these tips work for you.