What is too much pressure in sprinklers?

Author: Simone Treutel V  |  Last update: Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Most spray sprinklers have recommended operating pressures between 30 pounds per square inch (psi) and 45 psi. Operating a sprinkler system at a pressure higher than recommended can cause significant water waste, due to excessive flow rates, misting, fogging, overspray, and uneven coverage.

Is 80 psi too high for an irrigation system?

Under 40 is considered low, so you may need to boost pressure if installing an irrigation system. Over 80 is high, and many household water appliances may be at risk of damage over this range. A pressure reducing valve may be necessary. Static pressure is affected by elevation.

Is 40 psi good for sprinkler system?

For many sprinklers, the recommended operating water pressure ranges between 30-40 pounds PSI. A pressure regulator ensures that water pressure consistently stays within this recommended PSI range, regardless of the water pressure before it reaches the sprinkler.

Is 60 psi good water pressure for sprinkler system?

For a fixed spray system, aim for 20-30 psi per sprinkler. On a rotor/pop-up system, shoot for 30-60 psi. Irrigation and drip systems require 20-40 psi.

What is the max psi for sprinkler blowout?

Do not stand over any irrigation components (pipes, sprinklers, and valves) during air blow out. Air pressure must not exceed 50 pounds per square inch (psi). Compressor must be capable of delivering 20 to 25 Cubic Feet Per Minute of air volume.

How To Troubleshoot Sprinkler System Pressure Problems

What is the normal psi for sprinkler system?

The optimum operating pressure for most residential sprinkler heads is between 30 and 50 pounds per square inch (PSI). With correct water pressure, each head will perform the way they were designed, and the result will be even spray-patterns and efficient use of water.

What psi is a Rainbird sprinkler head?

Maintains constant outlet pressure at 30psi (2.1 bar). Spray nozzles perform best at 30psi.

Is 70 psi too high for water pressure?

Normal psi for a home pipe system is between 30 and 80 psi. While you don't want the psi to be too low, it violates code to be above 80. Instead, you should aim for a psi that's between 60 and 70.

How do I lower the pressure in my sprinkler head?

How to Adjust Stationary Sprinkler Heads
  1. Find the spray radius adjustment screw at the top of the nozzle.
  2. You may need to adjust the water spray in the direction of your lawn.
  3. Turn the screw clockwise to lower the water pressure on the spray head if too much water is shooting out.

What is the maximum pressure for a sprinkler head?

Maximum allowable water working pressure is 175 psig (12 Bar) unless rated and specified for high water working pressure [250 psig (17.2 Bar)].

Do I need a pressure regulator for my sprinkler?

Pressure exceeding 30 psi can damage drip irrigation systems, and many homes have water pressure twice that. So, in most cases, a pressure regulator will be necessary to protect a drip system and help it work properly.

How many pop up sprinklers can I run?

This depends on the flow rate you are able to achieve from your water source. Calculate your flow rate using the bucket test, then reference the flow consumption of the pop-up sprinkler. E.g. If you have a 45lpm flow rate, you can run 7.5 half circle professional sprinklers as they use 6 lpm (45 / 6 = 7.5).

How do I know if my water pressure is too high?

Expensive Water Bills: If your water bills seem a lot higher than expected, you're using more water than usual. This can be a sign that your pressure is too high. Clanging Pipes: As high-pressure water moves through your plumbing, it doesn't have enough room to move evenly.

Is 100 psi too high for house water pressure?

Most residential plumbing systems are designed to handle 40 to 60 PSI of pressure, with 80 PSI being the typical maximum and anything over 100 PSI being possibly detrimental to plumbing components.

Is 150 psi to high for water pressure?

The maximum recommended water pressure for homes is 80 psi; any pressurization exceeding this amount will result in thousands of wasted gallons of water each month.

Why is too much water coming out of my sprinkler head?

Disconnected Sprinkler Valve

If you have a faulty valve, your irrigation system may be leaking constant water from the sprinkler heads. In order to resolve the issue, you need to thoroughly examine the irrigation system and check valves that may be causing the sprinkler leaking.

How many sprinkler heads per zone?

At different pressures, the sprinkler head and nozzle will consume different amounts of water. For example, at 35 pounds per square inch (PSI) the 5000 Series Rotor using the 3.0 nozzle will use 3.11 gallons per minute (GPM). If your home's water capacity was 10 GPM, you could place 3 heads per zone.

Is 65 psi too high for water pressure?

The ideal water pressure for a house will be somewhere in the range of about 45 to 65 psi. Anything higher than 80 psi can cause damage, and anything much lower than 45 psi may result in issues when you use your shower, toilet, dishwasher and other water-consuming appliances.

What happens if water pressure is above 80 psi?

Water pressure over 80 psi can cause damage to your home's plumbing fixtures, including anything with a rubber gasket. Common problem areas include: water heaters.

Is 50 psi too high for water pressure?

Normal water pressure is generally between 40 and 60 PSI. Most homeowners prefer something right in the middle around 50 PSI. Once you measure the water pressure in your house, you can adjust it to a setting that is ideal for all family members and household uses.

What is the flow rate of a typical sprinkler head?

The average usage of water in a residential sprinkler system is between 12 – 30 gallons per minute depending on the type and size of the sprinkler head.

Will increasing pipe size increase flow?

Generally, the larger a pipe is, the higher the water flow. The water pressure level always has to be taken into consideration, however. Even the biggest, smoothest pipes will not have effective water flow if the water pressure is low, because there is not enough strength to defeat the force of friction.

What is the 3x rule for sprinklers?

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.

Is it better to run sprinklers longer or more often?

On the other hand, watering longer but less frequently, “deep watering,” produces deep roots that mean lawns can better survive periods of drought. The ideal watering schedule is once or twice per week, for about 25 to 30 minutes each time.

Previous article
Why are my hydrangeas wilting on a hot day?
Next article
Why do doors in Europe open outwards?