Irrigation lines are typically installed at a depth of 10” (to the top of the pipe) to prevent a standard 8\" shovel blade from reaching the lines. A 12” depth would be best. This is for residential installations, not commercial. The mainline (pressurized line) should be between 12” to 18” deep.
My recommendation is to bury sprinkler lines 8-12 inches. I usually try to keep a standard depth of 10" because it provides more safety if I need to do some type of ground work so I don't have to worry about hitting lines. A walk-behind rototiller generally won't go deeper than 8".
When planting shrubs or trees throughout your lawn, you'll want to be conscious of where your sprinkler system is if its already installed. Tree roots, especially River Birch and Silver Maples have roots easily capable of crushing the lawn sprinkler lines and blocking the flow of water.
Nothing should be in that area between the bottom of the sprinkler heads and the imaginary horizontal plane parallel to the ceiling that is 18 inches below. This is done to allow an even and unobstructed spray pattern from the sprinklers when triggered to extinguish the fire.
Although it is impossible for your lawn to look perfect after an installation, a properly installed system will not damage your lawn.
You can operate 2 or 3 sprinklers at one time with 'Y's and extra hoses, depending on your water pressure. To run more than one sprinkler off the same faucet, attach a 'Y' to your faucet and run a hose to each sprinkler.
The Joint Commission and CMS have zero tolerance that prohibits anything being supported by the sprinkler piping system, including incidental contact. This is a condition that must be corrected when discovered, and prevented in all future projects.
After the watering cycle, any remaining water in the system line drains to the lowest zone point. If there's a sprinkler head in that area, the water will continue flowing until it attains equilibrium or the zone's pipes become empty. It's common for water in sprinklers to seek equilibrium because of gravity flow.
When looking for completely unmarked PVC pipe, there are essentially two options: to manually probe or to call a professional. Hand probing is the process of repeatedly pushing a metal rod into the ground to physically feel for the buried PVC pipe.
Water spurting between sprinkler heads means a lateral line below ground has broken and has blown out the soil above it. Water trickling steadily out of an irrigation head long after the irrigation system has turned off could indicate a leaking- or weeping- valve below ground.
At the freezing point of 32 degrees, Fahrenheit water left in your sprinkler system can expand and burst the pipes. Call on Home Inspection Geeks to take a look at your winterizing needs.
Typically, though, a sprinkler system zone will boast 5 to 6 rotor heads and/or 8 to 10 spray heads.
The correct height for a sprinkler head is to have the top of sprinkler head just above the soil surface. No more than a quarter of an inch above the ground level.
A high-quality system that has been installed properly and receives regular maintenance in the spring and fall should last 20 years before needing any costly repairs. Various components of the sprinkler system should last: 40 years: Underground irrigation pipe system. 10-15 years: High-quality sprinkler heads.
Cross-linked polyethylene pipe is suited for many different applications. Otherwise known as PEX, it is flexible, durable, and easy to install as well as affordable. It can also be run for long distances with fewer fittings. Running PEX pipe underground is possible, so long as you adhere to local building codes.
Per NFPA 25 5.2. 1.1. 1 and 5.2. 2.2 items cannot be hung off of fire sprinkler pipe or heads.
A common rule that is followed for obstructions within 18 inches of the sprinkler deflector is the “three times rule”. This requires sprinklers to be positioned away from obstructions a minimum or three times the maximum dimension of the obstruction.
If your home's water capacity was 10 GPM, you could place 3 heads per zone. Consult the Performance Charts on or inside the box your sprinkler head came in for your head's exact performance data, or locate the performance data in the Support area of this website.
Homeowners will also find that the fire sprinkler system can provide a generous discount on insurance. A recent poll of property and casualty insurers by HFSC showed that discounts as high as 35% are offered for homes with sprinklers. Because discounts vary, homeowners should shop around for the best discount.
Lawn sprinklers are an excellent investment for homeowners. They keep your lawn looking lush and green and help you save money on water bills. But does sprinkler installation actually increase the value of your home? The answer is yes.
Once the moisture builds up in the siding, it can end up encouraging mold and mildew growth inside your walls. Adjusting the sprinkler heads to avoid hitting the house will keep the damage at bay. Sometimes, the spray from your sprinkler heads can soak into the ground very quickly.