Introduction

Installing a DIY sprinkler system in your yard can help keep your lawn and gardens lush, green, and healthy all summer long. With some simple materials and a bit of handiwork, you can build an automated system that waters your yard efficiently and effectively. The satisfaction you’ll gain from a DIY sprinkler system that you installed yourself makes the project worth undertaking. In this article, we’ll walk you through the entire process of designing and installing a homemade sprinkler system using common materials that you can pick up at your local hardware store. With our guidance, you’ll be on your way to enjoying a flourishing yard cared for by your very own irrigation system.

Things You’ll Need

Before starting your DIY sprinkler system project, you’ll want to make sure you have all of the necessary materials on hand. Here are the key components you’ll need to successfully build your own system:

PVC pipes and fittings – The bones of your system will be 1/2 or 3/4 inch PVC pipe and associated fittings like elbows, tees, adapters, and couplers. Purchase enough to span the coverage area you want to water.
Sprinkler heads – Choose quality sprinkler heads designed for the areas you want to water, such as in-ground, elevated, and shrub attachments.
Backflow preventer valve – This device prevents contaminated water from flowing back into your home’s water system. Most municipalities require it.
Hose bibs and hose Y connectors – To connect your PVC pipeline to your exterior faucet. Make sure they are the same size as your PVC pipes.
Wire and wire connectors – For hooking up any electric valves and timers that control water flow. Go with direct burial wire.
Pipe glue/solvent and Teflon tape – To join and seal the PVC pipes and fittings together watertight. Use the glue and wrap joints with tape.
Trenching shovel and lawn edger – To dig narrow trenches for placing your PVC pipes underground around the yard.
Hacksaw – For cutting pipes and PVC fittings to proper size.
Drill – To drill holes in the PVC for sprinkler heads.
Garden hose – To connect the PVC pipeline to your exterior faucet.
Timer – To automatically turn your system on and off on a set schedule. Choose an outdoor timer attached to an exterior outlet or a smart timer you can control from your phone.

With these supplies on hand, you’ll be ready to start enjoying the benefits of your very own DIY sprinkler system.

Planning Your Layout

The first step is to come up with a layout plan for where your pipelines, sprinkler heads, valves (if any), and timer will go. Here are some tips for designing your DIY system:

Evaluate your yard – Note any obstacles like trees and bushes, slopes, and areas that require more or less water. Break your yard into zones based on irrigation needs if it’s large.
Map out pipeline routes – Decide where to place PVC lines and how they will branch out. Bury lines around the perimeter and in areas that won’t be disturbed.
Choose sprinkler locations – Space out heads in even coverage patterns depending on type, from 8 to 15 feet apart.
Consider convenience – Place valves, timers, and hose connections in easily accessible spots.
Check local codes – Make sure your design meets any regulations like backflow preventers and pipe depths.

Sketch out ideas until you have a layout you think will work well. Knowing the plan is key for purchasing the right amount of materials.

Installing the Piping

With your map in hand, you’re ready to start installing the PVC pipelines throughout your yard:

Mark the routes – Use spray paint or flour to outline where your buried PVC pipes will go based on the layout.
Dig trenches – Dig 6-12 inch deep, 4-6 inch wide trenches along the marked routes using your trenching shovel and lawn edger.
Lay piping – Place lengths of PVC pipe into the trenches and piece together with fittings like elbows, tees and couplers per your plan.
Connect to water – Use hose bibs and Y valves to connect your PVC pipeline to exterior faucets. Add in any electric valves and hook up wiring.
Add heads – Drill holes in the PVC piping where you want sprinkler heads, then thread the heads in place.
Test waterflow – Turn on the water to check for leaks. Fix any joints that leak with more glue or tape then test again until no leaks exist.
Bury piping – When everything is working properly, fill in your trenches around the PVC pipe using the dirt you removed. Pack it down firmly.

Take care to follow your plan when assembling the piping so all the sprinkler coverage zones are connected properly. Thoroughly test for leaks before finishing your buried pipeline system.

Installing the Sprinkler Heads

Choosing the right sprinkler heads for each area of your yard is key for even water distribution. Follow these tips when installing your heads:

Evaluate spraying needs – Consider factors like spray distance, pattern shape, and output volume for each area.
Arrange heads properly – Space out identical heads in rectangular or triangular patterns for full coverage.
Set heads level – Place shrub and side strips level with the ground. Position elevated heads on straight risers perpendicular to the ground.
Adjust patterns – Tweak adjustable heads to water desired sections without spraying pavement.
Check for clogs – Make sure heads have clean orifices without debris that can block waterflow.
Consider an anti-drain valve – Adds a stop valve to the lowest head on slopes to prevent all the water from draining out.

Positioning your sprinkler heads correctly ensures every part of your yard gets the optimum amount of water and avoids wasted overspray in unnecessary areas.

Programming Your Timer

Setting an automatic timer for your DIY sprinkler system takes the hassle out of remembering to turn the water on and off. Follow these steps to set up your system’s timing:

Install the timer – Mount your outdoor timer near an exterior electrical outlet or set up your smart timer app.
Set current time – Make sure the device’s clock is set to the correct current time so schedules are accurate.
Input watering times – Enter start times and run times for each zone into the timer or app. Set multiple cycles if needed for thorough watering.
Consider variables – Water early mornings or evenings to reduce evaporation. Adjust times monthly for weather fluctuations.
Activate rain delay – Use automatic rain delay or a rain sensor to halt watering after rainfall. Prevent overwatering.
Check functionality – Manually activate zones and observe them to confirm the programmed times are opening the proper valves and controlling heads correctly.

Programming the timer is the last critical step that will bring your DIY sprinkler system to life and run it automatically for an enviable lawn and garden all season long.

Maintaining Your System

Like any equipment, your homemade sprinkler system requires periodic maintenance to stay in tip-top shape. Follow these best practices:

Inspect for leaks – Routinely check pipelines and connections for water leaks. Repair any you find promptly.
Watch for obstructions – Clear out weeds, dirt, and other debris around heads affecting spray patterns.
Adjust as needed – If any areas aren’t getting sufficient coverage, tweak the positions of nearby heads.
Check valve filters – Clean out the filters in electric valves periodically so water can flow optimally.
Test drains – Manually run drains before winter to remove remaining water from the system.
Disassemble and store heads – Remove heads and store safely over winter to prevent freeze damage.
Update programming – Make seasonal adjustments to watering times in your timer settings as needed.
Winterize pipes – Detach garden hoses and use compressed air to fully remove lingering water from pipes before freezing hits.

By conscientiously maintaining your system, it will provide dependable automated watering year after year. Your lawn and plants will flourish from the loving care of your homemade sprinkler system.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size PVC pipe should I use?

1/2 or 3/4 inch PVC pipe is recommended for most residential DIY sprinkler systems. Larger diameters may be needed for long mainlines servicing a greater number of sprinkler heads.

How deep should I bury the PVC pipes?

Bury your mainlines around 12 inches deep, and bury the lateral lines connecting to sprinkler heads 6 to 8 inches deep to prevent damage. Local codes may dictate minimum pipe depths in your area.

How can I design my sprinkler system layout?

Start by sketching out specific zones in your yard for unique watering needs. Map out piping routes from the water source to reach each zone. Space out sprinkler heads in rectangular or triangular grid patterns for full coverage.

What kind of timer can I use?

Choose an outdoor mechanical timer attached to an electrical outlet, a programmable smart timer that connects to an outdoor outlet, or a WiFi-capable timer allowing remote programming by smartphone. All automatically run your zones on preset schedules.

How often should I run my sprinkler system?

Ideally you’ll water your lawn about 1 to 1.5 inches per week, split into 2 or 3 watering cycles. Sandy soil may need more frequent, shorter watering than clay soil. Adjust your timer settings accordingly based on weather.

Conclusion

Constructing your own sprinkler system is an extremely rewarding DIY project. Following the steps we outlined, you can design, build, and install an automated irrigation system tailored exactly for your yard’s unique needs. With quality materials properly assembled and a timers to control it all, you’ll be well on your way to a lush and vibrant lawn that will be the envy of your neighborhood. Save money on your water bills over a professional system and gain the satisfaction of watering your yard with a system you installed yourself.

Summary

Installing a DIY sprinkler system can help keep your lawn and gardens healthy and lush.
Planning the layout, purchasing the right materials, digging trenches, assembling the PVC piping, positioning sprinkler heads, and programming the timer are the key steps in creating your own system.
Regular maintenance like checking for leaks, clearing debris, adjusting heads, and winterizing your system will keep it operating optimally for years.
With proper materials and some handy work, you can build your own automated sprinkler system tailored to your yard’s specific watering needs.

How to Make a DIY Sprinkler System