Sprinkler tips (2024)

FAQs

Is 10 minutes of sprinkler enough? ›

Don't forget that the type of sprinkler head you have influences how long you should water your yard: Spray heads: Water for 5 or 10 minutes. Rotor heads: Water for 20 to 30 minutes. MP rotator heads: Water for 20 to 30 minutes.

The number of sprinklers per zone depends on the pounds per square inch pressure (PSI) and gallons per minute (GPM) flow of the system as well as the gallons per minute used by each sprinkler head. Sprinkler heads use more gallons per minute at higher PSI but can be spaced farther apart.

If you notice one sprinkler head that doesn't seem to be going as far as the others, you may have a clogged line. If the entire system is falling short of what you expected, however, you may have an issue with the backflow preventer or simply low water pressure.

The average system uses approximately 15-16 gallons per minute, per station. Here is an easy formula to help you calculate the approximate amount of water you are using each month.

On the other hand, watering longer but less frequently, “deep watering,” produces deep roots that mean lawns can better survive periods of drought. The ideal watering schedule is once or twice per week, for about 25 to 30 minutes each time. Taking care of a lawn doesn't have to be an overwhelming, all-consuming task.

In the late spring, rotor irrigation zones typically need to run 30-45 minutes per zone, and spray irrigation zones typically need to run 8-12 minutes. We recommend watering 2-3 days a week during late spring. In mid to late summer with extreme heat, your lawn will need more water.

If your home's water capacity was 10 GPM, you could place 3 heads per zone.

Typically, though, a sprinkler system zone will boast 5 to 6 rotor heads and/or 8 to 10 spray heads.

Distribution uniformity is increased by head-to-head spacing. This occurs when sprinkler heads are located a distance of 50% of the nozzle throw diameter from the adjacent head. In other words, a sprinkler head with a 10-foot throw should be spaced 10 feet from the adjacent head.

By checking the pressure regulator, inspecting the sprinkler heads, checking for leaks, doing a pressure test, installing more stations and increasing the water supply line, you can boost water pressure and keep your lawn healthy and green.

How to calculate sprinkler water usage? ›

Here is an easy formula to calculate your approximate amount of monthly irrigation water usage. Multiply your number of stations by the number of minutes each station runs by the number of GPM by the number of days you water per month.

Watering with a typical sprinkler using a standard 5/8" garden hose for one hour uses about 1,020 gallons of water; if you water three times per week, that's about 12,240 gallons per month.

So, how often should you water your lawn in the summer? The answer may surprise you. Between irrigation and natural rainfall, your grass should receive between 1 and 1.5 inches of water each week during the summer. Water deeply every other day for the best results.

As a guide, water sandy soil for 10 to 15 minutes and clay soil for 20-30 minutes with your sprinkler on a low setting so that there is no root damage due to high pressure. A good habit to get into is before your planned watering session, to use a towel or soil probe to check the moisture level in the root zone.

Your sprinklers apply one inch in 20 minutes. This means you need to water 40 minutes per week. Divide the 40 by 7 and round up. This means that you should run your sprinklers about 6 minutes per day.