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DIY Garden irrigation planner – materials required

dream home

System Installation Tips

Tools required

Important Note – Consult local authorities for buried cables, water pipes, backflow prevention laws (backflow prevention and isolating valves must be installed by a certified plumber/contractor where required by state laws) underground power supplies and gas pipes.

 

 

 

CONNECTION OPTIONS

 

OPTION 1 – MAINLINE WATER SUPPLYplanning is everything

BACK FLOW PREVENTION is recommended for all underground installations.

Warning: When pipes are damaged, back flow occurs polluting household water. Please contact your local Water Authority for advice on installing an approved back flow prevention device.

OPTION 2 – PUMPS

  1. When the water source is a tank, lake, well or bore hole the irrigation system is usually pressurized by a pump.
  2. A check valve and manual control valve should be installed on the discharge line to prevent backflow and regulate flow.

 

 

MARKING OUTtrenches

 Use stakes and string line to mark position of trenches and sprinklers TIPS

  1. Pre-soak ground to soften digging
  2. Use a hose to make a trench underneath paths and driveways
INSTALLING THE CONTROLLER

 installing the controller

  1. Decide where you would like to locate the controller.
  2. Follow the installation instructions that come with the controller.
  3. Use colour-coded irrigation wire to connect the valves to the controller.
  4. The total number of wires you need is one for each of the valves, plus one common wire.
  5. Connect wires to valves with waterproof connectors.

 

 

INSTALLING SPRINKLER HEADSinstalling sprinkler heads 

  1. Use a flexible riser to install sprinklers for ease of height adjustment when  installing.
  2. Install all the heads but the last head on a run. (Leave off for flushing)
  3. Flushing system: Allow water to flush out any dirt that may have entered the system when installing.
  4. After flushing is complete install the remaining sprinkler heads
  5. Make sure sprinklers are just level with ground to prevent low head operation and to avoid sprinkler damage from lawn mowers.

 

Important: Adjust heads for proper spray pattern and check for adequate head to head coverage

 

BACKFILLING TRENCHESbackfilling the trenches Do not directly bury the valves.

  1. Install a valve box for easy access to valves.
  2. Wait until you are backfilling the trench to set the valve box.
  3. Check system again before filling the trenches, this time looking for any leaks in the pipe work and adjust sprinklers for coverage.
  4. If joints and sprinkler performance is satisfactory, fill in the trenches.