Installing an Inground Irrigation System

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Carol A. Crotta

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A permanent inground watering system makes caring for your lawn easier. Installing such systems, while physically demanding, is actually fairly easy to do and requires only basic tools. Plan your system carefully, using the readily available literature and worksheets found at your garden center or hardware store, and be sure to allow for future expansion so your irrigation system can grow along with your lawn and garden. Follow these simple steps shown in the pictures and explained in the captions to help get your lawn irrigation system up and watering.

Irrigation Installation - Step 1

Install a separate control valve for each water circuit, creating a manifold with as many valves as you have watering circuits. Use a ½-inch reducing bushing between each valve and the lines that run to the sprinkler heads or drip emitters. In areas with cold winters, provide a drain fitting at the lowest point in the pipe so you can empty the system of all water before the season’s first freeze (to prevent pipes from bursting)

Irrigation Installation - Step 2

Cut pipes to required lengths using a PVC pipe-cutting tool. Then join sections using two-step primer and adhesive. Allow the joints to completely dry.

Irrigation Installation - Step 3

Where each irrigation head is planned, install a 90-degree “street tee” or “ell” fitting with slip joints to the pipe and a threaded coupler to the riser.

Irrigation Installation - Step 4

Install sprinkler spray housings or drip-system hose couplers atop each riser, using three wraps of Teflon® tape around the threads of each fitting to prevent leaks. Turn on the water and adjust each sprinkler. Backfill the trenches.

Facts

An automatic irrigation system can be a lifesaver for your plants and lawn, especially if you live in a low-rainfall climate, have limited time to water regularly or travel frequently.

Tips

Flush your irrigation system by turning on each valve until the water runs out clear, then turn it off again. Only after the entire system has been flushed should you install sprinkler heads and drip-emitter couplers.
Set your irrigation system to turn on early in the morning once temperatures begin to rise. That’s the best time of day for watering because it prevents plants from drying out in midday heat, allows foliage to dry completely before it cools down in the evening and discourages slugs and snails.

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