How to Install an Outdoor Misting System

Too hot to sit outside? For those hot summer days, an outdoor misting system, based on evaporation of water, can cool a yard up to 20 or 30 degrees F. It turns hot air into cold air and brings relief from a sizzling summer. To install a low-pressure outdoor misting system for a patio, follow these steps.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• PVC pipe
• PVC pipe cutter
• Spray nozzles for every 2 feet of length
• PVC primer
• PVC glue
• PVC clips
• Hammer
• PVC elbow fittings
• Drain
• Hose adapter
• Filter

1. Cut PVC pipe into lengths of 24 inches. Use a PVC pipe cutter to cut the pipe, as this is easier and will not leave debris in the pipe. Coat the pipe and nozzle with PVC primer. The nozzle is a PVC joint with a spray nozzle head. Coat about ½-inch of the outside of the end of the pipe and the insides of both ends of the nozzle with the primer.
2. Glue the nozzles onto the pipe. Use PVC glue to coat the end of the PVC pipe. Insert the misting nozzle over the pipe. Give a quarter turn to lock into place. Continue priming and gluing the other nozzles and pipes for the straight run of the misting system. The nozzles must line up straight with each other as they are glued to the pipe, as they cannot be adjusted once the glue has dried. Lay the pipe out on the floor of the patio as each straight run is completed. Remove all the spray nozzle heads to allow the system to be flushed.
3. Attach the pipe clips to the pipe straight run. Hold the straight run of PVC pipe up to the roof of the patio. Hammer the pipe clips loosely onto the roof of the patio. Use three to four clips along the straight run to start. Be sure that the starting clip is an inch higher than the ending clip; this will allow for draining the pipe when necessary. Loosely attach the other straight runs to the patio roof using clips.
4. Adjust the nozzle holes so they do not point directly down. The nozzles should tilt out slightly. Using primed elbow fittings, glue the runs together. Be mindful that the nozzles stay at the correct angle; adjust if necessary. Tighten the clips. Add additional clips between each nozzle.
5. Add a drain to the system so that the system can be drained when necessary, especially before winter so the pipes don't freeze and crack. Take a primed elbow fitting and glue to a short piece of pipe, approximately six to eight inches. Attach a drain to the bottom of the pipe. The drain should be able to be unscrewed to release the water. Glue the elbow to the low end of the system.
6. Add the water source. Run PVC down from the ceiling to the faucet, using elbow fittings when necessary. Screw in an adapter to the faucet. Use an elbow fitting to glue the PVC pipe to the adapter. Allow one hour for the glue to set over the entire system.
7. Open the drain to begin flushing the system. Turn the water on and allow it to run for several minutes. Turn the water off and attach the spray nozzle heads to the nozzles. Close the drain. The outdoor misting system is ready to use; turn on the water to begin misting.

Tips & Warnings

• Outdoor misting system kits may be available at hardware stores.
• Using a PVC cutter instead of a hacksaw prevents debris from accumulating in the PVC and possibly clogging the spray nozzle heads.
• Clean nozzle heads periodically with a solution of vinegar and water to flush out any hard water deposits. To extend the life of the nozzle heads, remove them at the end of the season.
• A two-way hose adapter placed on the faucet allows the faucet to be used for others things, such as the garden hose.
• For hard water areas, use a sediment filter in the hose adapter.

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