Installing Underground Sprinkler Systems

1. Installing underground sprinkler systems, while a physical job, is not a difficult task. You can purchase the PVC and timers needed at any local big box store. If you live in an area that has watering restrictions, make sure you purchase a sprinkler system with a timer on it. The timer will allow you to set the sprinkler system for the proper watering day and for a set amount of time. Before starting, know how large the yard is and draft a layout of where you will be installing the pipes.
2. Dig a trench according to the design you drafted for the size and shape of your yard. For standard PVC, make the depth 4 inches. If you are using a kit, make the depth pursuant to the instructions on the kit. Lay the PVC pipe in the trench. Do not put it together yet.
   Once the PVC is in the trench, figure out which connectors go where and lay each connector in its proper location. If you are making your own PVC system, make sure the last piece at the end has a cap for it.
3. If you are short of PVC, purchase the missing PVC and connectors before putting the pieces together. Make sure there pipe runs in the center of the trench. You can either buy more PVC if you are short, or you can change the design. Changing the design will require digging up more of the yard. You want to dig up as little of the yard as possible.
   Starting at faucet, put all of the PVC pieces together. If you are using a timer, install the timer according to the manufacturer's instructions. Use the plumber's tape on the threads of the first connector to the timer or faucet (if not using a timer). Use PVC glue on all of the connectors and pipes in the ground. Use the plumber's tape on the end piece if it has threads. If not, use the PVC cement.
4. Cover the PVC piping with soil. Pack the soil down. Then add more soil as needed. You should have enough soil with what was taken out of the ground. But if there is still an indentation in the ground over the pipes, purchase more soil so that the ground is level. The loose soil may settle, leaving a slight dip over the pipes.
   Test the timer by setting the timer to come on in five minutes. Turn the system on. If you used pop-up sprinklers, make sure all of the sprinklers pop up. Make sure the sprinklers are turned so that the water is spraying the yard, not the street, sidewalk or house. Some sprinklers come with an adjuster so you can open them full, spraying water in all 360 degrees, or you can close them so it only sprays water where you want (these are good for the sprinkler heads near the street or against the house).