Sprinkler lines should be buried below the grass roots, and deep enough the sprinkler heads sit flush with the soil surface or slightly above grade. The depth varies depending on factors but typically ranges from eight to 12 inches.
The trenches will be relatively shallow, usually 6 to 12 inches deep, depending on your area's freeze cycles and frost severity. The trench must also be deep enough to allow the sprinklers to retract underground to prevent breakage from lawn machines. Dig the trench by hand or rent a trencher (a real timesaver).
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".
Without digging, it is possible to find sprinkler lines by getting a design map from the company that installed the system. If this is not possible, one could go to the valve box and follow a line back to each of the head sprinklers in a circuit. Or one could utilize an electronic water-detection device.
To make sure you avoid the sprinkler lines when digging, it's best to use a sprinkler valve locator, which may be available in your local hardware stores. Once the batteries are placed, turn on the power. Similar to an ordinary metal detector, also perform the test to assess if the equipment is functional.
Other secondary private utility lines can include site lighting, storm sewer lines, irrigation lines, underground storage tanks (USTs) and vent pipes. The 811 One Call system will generally not mark secondary utilities and will not provide the depths of any utilities as part of their locate.
If you do not reroute your irrigation system before laying down concrete, you can accidentally block your drip lines. Any blockage to your drip lines can cause the system to malfunction.
Typically, sewage lines, electrical lines, and telephone lines not in a conduit are buried approximately two feet underground. Finally, water pipes, electrical lines, and larger sewage pipes are typically buried three feet underground.
The cheapest and easiest way to find buried irrigation valves is often to probe the soil with a thin rod, such as a long screwdriver. Often you can estimate the rough location of the irrigation valve, then find a buried valve box by probing the ground.
Today, the best tool for the job is ground penetrating radar (GPR) as it accurately maps metal and PVC pipes. Traditional pipe locators use electricity and magnets to locate underground pipes.
Narrow your search area by looking at your sprinkler system map or by turning on the water, watching for flooding areas, and listening for water trickling underground. Mark areas with possible missing sprinkler heads with flags or sticks, then use your metal detector in those spots.
For instance, residential sewer line depth ranges from 18 to 30 inches. However, city sewer line depths are different. Your city's sewer lines must always be deeper than the deepest residential pipe to allow waste to flow downhill. As such, these lines can go as deep as needed.
Pipe-schedule systems and hydraulically calculated systems with a density at or over 0.25 gallons per minute per square foot have a 12-foot (3.7 meters) maximum distance between sprinklers. Hydraulically calculated systems with less density have the standard 15-foot (4.6-meter) maximum. High-Piled Storage (12-15 ft).
Turn on your system and start by identifying the zone not working correctly. Look for sprinkler heads that don't spray properly or have low water flow. You'll likely find the leak or water line issue somewhere between a functioning head and several non-working ones, especially if that area stays wet and soggy.
Your water line must be buried at least 12 inches below the frost line to meet local code requirements. However, a minimum depth of 6 inches below the frost line is often recommended for extra security against freezing.
Dig trenches following the string. Mark the sprinkler locations with flags or the stakes. Typical trench depths range from 6 to 12 inches.
Check for a System Map
While it might seem obvious, the easiest method for quickly locating sprinkler lines is to refer to a system map. Installation companies often prepare a detailed map that shows the exact location of sprinkler heads and service lines.
Sprinkler lines should be buried below the grass roots, and deep enough the sprinkler heads sit flush with the soil surface or slightly above grade. The depth varies depending on factors but typically ranges from eight to 12 inches.
Although there is no specific rule regarding the allotted depth of a project dig before calling 811, it IS important to note that ANY DIG requires a call to 811. This is not a suggestion; it is a requirement by law.
If you are looking to learn how to locate PVC water lines in your yard, GPR is the way to go. GPR is not limited to metallic materials, and can locate underground just about any type of piping, including PVC pipes. It can also reveal important information about how deep the line is.
This means that you would typically want your water lines to be at least 4.5 feet below the ground level or possibly even deeper if you live in the mountains or the foothills. The sewer lateral leading from your house out to the municipal sewer main should also be at the same depth as it could also freeze.
Pipe slope is a critical element in reducing water collection following a sprinkler system drain. Water removal is important in that the largest detriment to sprinkler system life, corrosion, occurs across interfaces between air and water.
While some might be tempted to pour it on the grass to save time, you should avoid doing so. Pouring concrete slabs on grass can crack easily because of the influx of moisture over time. Furthermore, there is less support because the vegetation beneath lacks rigidity.
The water in the sprinkler pipes freezes and expands, damaging your underground system. As water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, a sprinkler system will freeze. When temperatures drop to the freezing point and below, you should start worrying about your sprinkler system.