Though it might look like an intimidating project, you can install automatic lawn sprinklers and avoid the pricey professional installation fees. Sprinkler systems come with step by step installation instructions to help you.

First, you need to decide what kind of automatic sprinklers will work best for you. If you have a small lawn that really won't require a very large spray pattern, you can save money by choosing stationary sprinkler heads. These don't vary in spray or move, and have a limited reach but are perfect for a small area.

Oscillating sprinkler heads oscillate and so can cover a fairly large area with multiple streams of water. Rotary sprinkler heads have a spray arm that goes in a circle, with the spray designed for a medium or large area. And pulsating sprinkler heads, which can go in part-circle or full circle patterns, use lower pressure but discharge more water with their pulsating pattern. Less water is lost to wind or evaporation with pulsing heads because the spray is so close to the ground.

If you're planning to install automatic lawn sprinklers over a large area, it might be best to use one or two different types of sprinkler heads depending on the landscape in order to use only as much water as you need and get efficient coverage. You should map out your property on paper and plan where your sprinkler heads will go before you start, so that you can make sure your coverage will be complete and that you don't spend time and money water things like walls or driveways.

Installation Tips

While your automatic lawn sprinklers will come with thorough installation instructions there are some tips that can make the process easier, as well as give you a better finished product.

Use a built-in check valve on the sprinkler in the lowest part of the lawn. This will make sure that the water drains out properly when the flow is turned off, and prevent problems like freezing and breaking in the wintertime.

Flexible nipples or swing joints on risers cost a little more but can save you a lot of time digging and replacing them later. When a sprinkler head or riser are damaged, you have to dig around them and replace them, which isn't expensive but can be time consuming and cause more problems if dirt or debris get into the piping system. Flexible nipples or swing joints will absorb the impact if the head is bumped and help prevent riser damage.

Be sure that your automatic lawn sprinklers don't stick up too far above the ground. That's just asking for feet and lawn mowers to break them or the riser beneath. But it's also important to make sure they're not so low that dirt and debris are going to cause problems with their operation. If you're worried about damage, a donut of natural materials or decorative concrete can go around your automatic lawn sprinklers to protect them.

Photo Credits: Mykl Roventine

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Garden, Handy Man, Install, Landscape, Yard, sprinklers

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automatic sprinklers, check valve, close to the ground, driveways, evaporation, finished product, Landscape, lawn sprinklers, multiple streams, nipples, oscillating sprinkler, professional installation, rotary sprinkler, spray arm, spray pattern, sprinkler systems, step installation instructions, swing joints, time and money, wintertime