How to install DIY lawn irrigation system?

[KC80]

 

Hi all, planning on installing an irrigation system in my small front lawn. Not using solinoids just the pop ones via water pressure. I’m of two minds to have heads around the edges or one line of three 360 heads down the middle. There’s a tree at the bottom right and another tallish plant next to the post box on the left. 

Is a backflow preventer necessary at any point?  The water source is at the top which I am thinking of having removable piping to connect and disconnect as needed from a connection point on the system or laying copper pipes to be able to run the bins over them without damage and not have to worry about disconnecting piping. 

All help is appreciated. 

[JacobZ]

Hi @KC80,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

For the best coverage, I'd suggest using pop-up sprinklers around the edges, spraying inward. This ensures overlapping spray and avoids dry patches, whereas a straight line of 360° heads down the middle will likely leave the corners and edges underwatered, especially with obstacles like your tree and the plant near the letterbox. For some guidance on the design and installation, check out our supplier Pope Irrigation's guide on DIY Lawn Pop Ups. You can use this guide to help locate and select the best sprinkler heads for your lawn.

Keep in mind that everything needs to work with your water pressure, so make sure you conduct a flow rate test, so you know what you are working with. You can use the bucket test described in Pope's Installation calculators to work out your flow rate.

A backflow preventer is highly recommended and often required. You should check your local council's rules regarding backflow prevention for further guidance. Installing a TORO 25mm Dual Check Valve at the connection point is a simple and worthwhile safeguard.

For simplicity's sake, I would just use a short garden hose such as this Holman 12mm x 2m Yardmate Garden Hose to connect the system to the tap. It can easily be connected and disconnected as required.

You might like to check out some of the following discussions for some further information -

• How to install irrigation system? Soaker hose vs weeper hose vs pop up sprinklers
   
• Need help with garden pop-up sprinkler positions
   
• How to install a lawn irrigation system attached to recycled water?

Also, allow me to tag @TimGeo, @J-P, @R4addZ and @Dave-1 to see if they have any advice they can offer.

Jacob 

[Dave-1]

Good Afternoon @KC80 

Welcome to the Community I havnt as yet installed an irrigation system tho have looked into it a little. I really like @JacobZ 's references to "how to"'s 

I was thinking of pop ups down the center of the yard until @JacobZ pointed out the corners and the blacking of the arks. The length of your route sounds like its definently doable.

As someone who has been thinking of an irrigation system It would be nice to see a project unfold and see what you do  

Dave

[J-P]

@KC80 - Check my previous replies on this pop up sprinkler (let me know if you aren't able to find out) I have given extensive info on what to watch for. I think you should be fine to have 90 degree at the corners and 180 in the center (total 6). The biggest thing to watch out for how much pressure get off pipe. I put 10 and finally had to feed 2 inlets - one from main and another from rain water tank for everything to pop. The pop up sprinklers have to be positioned no more than 3 m to get best coverage.

Let me know how you go. Happy to help you along the way.

[KC80]

 

 

  

   

Follow up - 

Apologies for my radio silence. Happy to say the the system has been installed and works. Got it done this past weekend successfully. 

Initially planned as a 2 branch system but switched to one single system. Through the first tap timer being faulty and releasing water through both branches at once I found the water pressure was sufficient to run the 5 heads. 

The original tap timer listed in the receipt went faulty on first use. Replaced with the Hollman Wi-Fi WX1 timer. So far so good. 

Attached are some photos and receipt of what was used.

Thank you for the feedback on my original post, it all helped. 

[MitchellMc]

Many thanks for updating us on your project @KC80. Glad to hear you got everything sorted.

Well done.

Mitchell