Sprinkler systems?

[Cuerno Largo]

Anyone design and install their own sprinkler system? Is it worth doing yourself. Installers want obscene amounts for this. I live in the country, but am on a local water supply with great pressure so I imagine backflow prevention would be good to have. Any thoughts?

 

[76FJ40]

I've done it several times for myself and for friends. I was actually a licensed Irrigator when I lived in TX. The Weathermatic company based in Dallas publishes a great book on irrigation system design, much better than the crappy pamphlets they give away at Home depot and lowes.

 

[splitshot]

Pick up a Rainbird catalog, lots of info in there also..

 

[Cuerno Largo]

I've done it several times for myself and for friends. I was actually a licensed Irrigator when I lived in TX. The Weathermatic company based in Dallas publishes a great book on irrigation system design, much better than the crappy pamphlets they give away at Home depot and lowes.

Thanks for the info. As a former professional, do you have any thoughts about potential pitfalls a newbie might make doing this on his own?

 

[Cuerno Largo]

Pick up a Rainbird catalog, lots of info in there also..

I think I looked at that one. They had some good info, but very basic stuff. I think the one I looked at wanted me to buy plans from them based off info I supplied.

 

[splitshot]

I think I looked at that one. They had some good info, but very basic stuff. I think the one I looked at wanted me to buy plans from them based off info I supplied.

The wholesale/retail irrigation suppliers here locally will design your system for free if you buy the parts from them. You might check that option.
The main issue is pressure loss at the heads, and is important to size the pipe accordingly.

 

[-Spike-]

I've been looking at underground systems. Much less water consumption. Anyone have any input on those?

-Spike

 

[splitshot]

Drip?

 

[-Spike-]

Yes, this stuff is what I've been turned on to so far: Drip Irrigation Products | Dripperline | Techline CV

-Spike

 

[76FJ40]

If you have any mechanical ability, a sprinkler system is pretty straight forward. I always designed for lower water pressure than what I observed to account for growth in the water distribution system, all of your neighbors watering at once, etc. I also used the gear drive heads wherever I could to reduce the loss to evaporation. Depending on where you live in TX, the pop up spray heads can be pretty inefficient with most of the water lost to evaporation. Good luck.

 

[splitshot]

Yes, this stuff is what I've been turned on to so far: Drip Irrigation Products | Dripperline | Techline CV

-Spike

I can help out with the design, and possibly get you wholesale pricing if you have a Horrizon Irrigation up there, but it's going to have to wait till I get back from fishing

Couple of quick notes: Rainbird "Rainbug" IMO are the best.
Plan on two zones, one for the trees, and one for the shrubs.

 

[-Spike-]

Grass is what I'm mostly interested in, and burying the dripline ~4". The trees in the lawn and oleanders around it should get enough water, I would think. They don't get much now, other than when I water the grass with a soaker hose.

-Spike

 

[splitshot]

Yes, this stuff is what I've been turned on to so far: Drip Irrigation Products | Dripperline | Techline CV

-Spike

Grass is what I'm mostly interested in, and burying the dripline ~4". The trees in the lawn and oleanders around it should get enough water, I would think. They don't get much now, other than when I water the grass with a soaker hose.

-Spike

Hmmm, interesting concept for turf. My first thought is you would get a "lumpy" lawn do to uneven water distribution especially in sandy soil, but could see the advantages. I'll check around and see if anyone has used it in Arizona..

 

[Mendocino]

I have put in underground systems multiple times. This included up to six zones with both drip and overhead watering. Its pretty straight forward. If you can wire tail lights you can do a sprinkler system.

Since you are in the country you may have a farm supply that will actually help you come out and design the system for a modest fee ($50) in my case. If you buy the parts from them its free. This saved me a lot of time and I did all the install. It was a good way to go.

 

[MTJohn]

I did mine myself a few year ago and has worked great. I got my information from Irrigation tutorials; sprinkler & drip systems, design, install and repair. and it was very helpful.