Different Components of Standard Sprinkler System and How They Function

Yard sprinkler systems are necessary for growing a healthy garden and maintaining a picturesque landscape. Manually watering the plants from time to time is often not feasible when you have a large lawn to cover and different species of plants which must be watered in specific ways. A sprinkler system can save a lot of time and hassle for the user. But before investing in one, you must understand the basic components and their functions well.

Different Components of Standard Sprinkler System

This post is a guide to the various components of any standard sprinkler system and how they function.

• Timer/controller

Modern sprinkler systems these days are equipped with a timer that controls the flow of water for a specific period from the main source of water. They have a controller that is installed in the exterior or interior of the system or there is a central control system. The timer also controls the operation of the valves and when to turn them on or off. Certain timers which are highly advanced have moisture sensors which help them to automatically determine when to switch off the system and even suspend the scheduled watering.

• Valves

There is a series of valves which control each zone of the irrigation system. Usually, the water pressure is not enough to run the entire system together. These valves divide the different zones of the entire system and help them run independently from each other. They are colour coded to indicate the source of the water. A purple lid means that the water comes from a non-potable source while green means it is a clean water source. The valves when grouped together are called manifold and it helps to minimize the wiring time and make the maintenance procedure more convenient.

• Sprinkler heads

There are different types of sprinkler heads and each has specific functions. They have to be positioned around the lawn to fully cover the entire area. Oscillating sprinkler heads rotate and cover a large area. There are drip heads that will drip the water continuously from an overhead irrigation system. When they are not put to use, they are buried underground and usually pop-up at a set time to spray water. They come in a variety of 4”, 6” and 12” heights. There are also rotary sprinklers which are useful for watering turf grass.

• Pipes

An extensive pipeline carries the water from the main source to all the parts of the lawn. The pipes connect the valves and the valves are connected to the sprinkler heads. There are short vertical pipes which are called risers that extend from the horizontal pipes. The sprinklers are attached to the risers at the positions where they are required.

The different components of the sprinkler system should be understood to build an efficient irrigation system. At Green Valley Irrigation, you can get all kinds of irrigation system related solutions and shop for the components too. Contact our experts to find out the right components suitable for your garden.