Understanding All The Parts Of Your Sprinkler System
You’re getting a sprinkler system installed at your residence or the commercial property you manage. Congratulations! You’ve made a great investment that will increase the attractiveness of your property and help reduce irrigation costs. But how much do you really know about the technology that now exists on your property?
Whether you plan on performing your own maintenance or rely on the irrigation supplies and support provided by Kern Turf in Bakersfield, it’s a good idea to have at least a working knowledge of the parts that make up your irrigation system.
Keep reading for a basic overview of the major sprinkler system components and their function. Keep in mind that terminology and parts may vary depending on the brand of sprinkler system you have installed.
Automatic Timer
Also known as the controller, this is the piece of your sprinkler system that will probably be located in your garage or attached to the exterior of your home or building. The timer allows you to control when, where, and for how long your sprinklers run.
Electric Valves
There are Electric Valves which are connected to your timer by Direct Burial Cable (wire). Each valve, when actuated, opens to allow water to flow through a particular portion of your landscape. This portion of the landscape is referred to as a Zone. The Electric Valves themselves are of two types: In-line valves (installed below ground and require a separate back flow device), and Anti-Siphon Valves (back flow device incorporated into the valve itself). Anti-Siphon valves must be installed at least 12” above ground.
PVC Pipe
You’ll probably only see this part of your sprinkler system once, when the system is installed. That’s because the PVC pipe is buried under the ground. It’s used to transfer water from the main valve to each of the sprinkler heads located throughout your property.
Riser
The riser is a small vertical attachment that guides the water up from the horizontal PVC pipe to your sprinkler. The riser is the most likely item to suffer damage and need repair.
Sprinkler Head
Finally, the part that you’ll actually see! Each Zone is comprised of a specific type of watering device such as rotors, pop-ups, or drip lines. The sprinkler head can rise above ground level, or you might have a system that rises up when the sprinklers come on and recedes back into the ground when they’re turned off. This makes mowing easier and protects the feet of anyone who might be walking around on the grass.
Remember that Kern Turf is your trusted provider for irrigation supplies in Bakersfield! If you have questions, need technical support, or simply need replacement parts, come into one of our store locations today.