How do I increase the pressure in my newly installed up-hill sprinkler system?
Question:Today we installed a new sprinkler system that is not on a timer. It is connected to a hose outlet on the side of the house, which is connected to PVC 1/2" piping that runs up part of a steep hill. The pipe then splits, running horizontally across the different levels of our hill with grass. All together, there are about 12-15 sprinkler heads dispensing water, 10' apart. We've been looking online for some kind of pump or pressurizer that we can install to give the sprinkler system the pressure that it needs, but could not find anything. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
Answers:
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, BUT...
The only way to fix your problem is to re-engineer the system. Starting with the hose outlet. A dedicated line plumbed with proper backflow prevention is the right way to go. Just connecting to the faucet outside and burying the pipe is against code in most places.
A single line from the house just cannot supply enough VOLUME of water to run 12 to 15 sprinklers at one time. You need to break your system up into at least 3 zones especially if you have a hill. The sprinklers at the top of the hill will always receive less pressure than those at the bottom - it's just gravity. Try to arrange the zones so that all the sprinklers in one zone are on about the same level.
Well first it helps to know what State you Live in.
Secound are you on a City , county or Pump well system?
Then if you are using a Hose fittings thats not good. This cause some of the water lost.
The better way to go if possible is go the irrigation store,Home Depot,Lowes Pluming section.
Check your true Water pressure from the Main Facet outlet.
This is broken down by using a Pressure Gages attaches to the hose outlet. This will show like example.
20, 30 45, or 60 PSI.
If you may have from 30 to 50 PSI Great;
Then get the example that they have in the free Hand-out materials; Showing How to install a sprinkler system.
The materials maybe either of Rain-Bird, or Dig Co. systems.
Step by step system for hook-up from either cooper, Galvanzed systems to connection to the Anti-Syphion manuel or Automatic System; Yes, Even Toro offersa brand new small automatic system fora 9-volt battery hook-up to a Anti-sphion system.
Now for th other part of your question is if you use 3/4" PVC-Schedule 4o PVC pipe run it first. Then approximately 20-to 40' from the faucet or main water source Anti-Syphion Valves or commonly referance as. Control Valves, then use a reducer to 1/2 ' P.V.C scheduled 40 Pipe. This may help keep the pressure up before a pump may have to be used.
If this does not help then You may need to go on line and check for any Ewing Irrigation outlet close by your area. If there is not one then you can also go on line to Irrigation Tec.com
This is a Irrigation Co. out of Chino Ca, and Az. that puts on Irrigation Training and give answer to Tec problems like your also. So, Good Luck;
Landscape Contractor in Northern Ca that specialize in Sprinkler Work Repairs, installation and Counsults.
12 - 15 heads is entirely too much for 1 zone from a 1/2" source, 12-15 is too much for a properly installed 1" source. If you have very good pressure and put in 1/2 GPM nozzles and the heads have check valves it might work, MIGHT. When we install sprinklers from a 1/2" we put 3-4 heads depending on the pressure, and only use 4-5 GPM. If the pressure is low, you should have used 1" PVC to reduce friction loss. To do it right and make sure it works, you have to break it up into zones.
yeah.. i service professinally installed systems,, and this just isnt going to work.,. period.. ever... no N O no . number one, you cant get the pressure you need off a hose bibb, need to connect right outside the water meter,
number two, 1/2 inch is way too small for 12-15 heads.
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