What is the best size pipe for a sprinkler system?

The pipe that extends from your home's water supply to the irrigation area is the main line. Holding the bulk of the water volume, this pipe size should range from 2 to 3 inches in diameter. You need this diameter so the water pressure is not significantly reduced before entering the garden.

What size sprinkler pipe should I use?

That number is flow rate in terms of gallons per minute, or GPM. For schedule 40 PVC, use 1/2-inch pipe for a 4 GPM system, 3/4-inch pipe for 8 GPMs, 1-inch pipe for 13 GPMs, 1 1/4-inch pipe for 22 GPMs, 1 1/2-inch pipe for 30 GPMs, and 2-inch pipe for 50 GPMs.

What is the most common sprinkler pipe size?

Class 200 pipe, the most common class pipe used in irrigation, is rated for 200 pounds per square inch pressure (psi) and has a wall thickness of . 063” for a 1” pipe.

What size PVC should I use for sprinkler system?

When it comes to selecting PVC irrigation pipe, both Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 pipe are common types of irrigation PVC pipes. They handle pressure roughly the same, so you won't have to worry about more frequent breaks if you opt for Schedule 40.

What is standard sprinkler pipe?

The most commonly used steel pipe for sprinkler systems is black steel pipe. Copper tubing is another piping material listed for sprinklers in NFPA 13. Also, plastic pipe (namely, CPVC and PEX tubing) is permitted for certain types of sprinkler systems.

Choosing The proper pipe for sprinkler systems( residential and commercial) or irrigation systems

How many sprinklers can I run on one line?

With your 10 gpm flow rate at your spigot, you could run two sprinklers at 5 gpm each. The best set-up is to run two hoses from the spigot–each to one sprinkler. Suggested sprinklers for this set-up are the Residential Sled Base Sprinklers or the Tripod Sprinklers.

How deep should sprinkler lines be?

To prevent sprinkler lines from becoming tangled in grass roots, pipes must be installed at least 4 inches below ground. This depth will put the lines out of reach of grass. To make sure your lines are installed at a proper depth in grassy surfaces, use sprinkler bodies that have a total depth of 4 inches.

How long can a sprinkler line be?

LENGTH OF RUN LIMITS: ½ inch tubing can run up to 200 linear ft. ¼ inch tubing should not exceed 19 ft in length. MAXIMUM FLOW CAPACITY: ½ tubing can handle a maximum of 240 GPH or 4 GPM.

How many sprinkler heads can you have on one zone?

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.

Can I use PEX for sprinkler system?

PEX piping for irrigation systems is a good option due to cost, reliability, ease of installation, and flexibility. The benefits of PEX over other rigid pipes outweigh the negatives. Whether you plan to use it above or below grade, PEX for irrigation systems is a good idea.

What PSI should irrigation pipe be?

For spray heads, it is 30 psi, with an operating range of 15 to 30 psi. For drip lines, this is about 20 psi, with an operating range of 15 to 30 psi.

Can I use poly pipe for sprinkler system?

Related Articles. Poly tubing is lightweight, flexible and does not require glue to assemble, making it desirable for use in many outdoor plumbing projects. It is not suitable for high-pressure applications, but it is safe to use as a low-pressure water line, such as those used for underground irrigation systems.

How do I increase water pressure in my sprinkler system?

Hook up a sprinkler booster pump for your hose.

All you do is hook your hose up to the pump, and then hook another hose up that runs from the pump to the sprinkler. Plug the pump in and turn the water on. The pump will artificially force water out of your weak water line at a much higher psi.

How do you increase gpm on a sprinkler system?

If you pump your own water from a well, stream, or pond the only way to increase your water flow is to install a newer and/or larger pump, larger pipe leading to and from it, and possibly drill a deeper well. You will need to see the Irrigation Pumping Systems Tutorial for details on how to do that.

What type of pipe is used for underground sprinkler systems?

Two types of pipe/tube are commonly used for sprinkler system laterals, polyvinyl chloride pipe (PVC), and Polyethylene tube (Poly). Both are types of plastic. PVC is usually white or gray color and semi-rigid. Polyethylene is usually black and is flexible.

How far apart sprinkler heads should be?

Sprinkler heads must be a maximum of 12-15 feet apart, depending on the hazard rating of the space (it ranges from Light Hazard to Extra Hazard 1&2), and at least half that distance from the nearest walls (typically 7.5 feet away).

Should irrigation valves be buried?

Valves can be grouped together in manifolds, or installed individually - and valves should always be buried inside a plastic irrigation valve box. Never bury a valve directly in the dirt.

How deep should I trench for sprinklers?

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).

How do you dig out sprinkler lines?

Can you daisy chain sprinklers?

One sprinkler does the job pretty well. And while my setup doesn't reach the edges of my yard, I do have the option of installing up to three additional Quick-Snap sprinklers down the road. These can either be daisy-chained together to function as one unit or used independently when needed.

How many emitters can I put on a drip line?

How Many Emitters are Needed? 1 or 2 emitters per plant, depending on the size of the plant. Trees and large shrubs may need more. Obviously, using two allows for a backup if one clogs up (which happens now and then, even on the best designed and maintained drip systems.)