Installing an automatic sprinkle system requires some planning and effort, but once you install it, it is worth all the efforts. It can save you from the hassle of dragging hoses around every time you want to water the lawn. Moreover, an automatic sprinkle system comes with a built-in timer that prevents your lawn from becoming too wet or too dry. However, before you actually start installing it, make sure that you have following tools ready with you. Tools - PVC primer and cement - PVC pipe cutter - Measuring tape - String - Gravel - Shovel - Gloves - Safety glasses - Hacksaw - Gas-powered Trencher with vibratory plow (you can rent it for about $150-$200 per day) Basic Preparations Now that you are ready with all the required tools, you have to do some basic preparations as discussed below. - Get information about your water supply.

If you do not know about that, call your utility company. - Check the meter capacity, and make sure that how many sprinkle heads you can install per zone in your irrigation system. - Gather information about some other things, such as climate, soil type, wind conditions, water flow rate, water pressure, etc. - Gather information about what are the installation requirements in your area. If you are not sure, you can get this information from the building-codes enforcement agency.

- There can be underground pipes or cables, so before you begin your installation project, locate these things with the help of your utility company. Installation Procedure 1. The best way to start the procedure is to draw a map of your lawn on a paper. Now, mark all the important locations with specific measurements as applicable, such as the location for the water meter, sprinkle timer, sprinkle manifold, sprinkle heads, etc.

It is better if you mark other things as well, such as the location of your house, driveway, mailbox, etc. 2. Now as per the measurements and location of your map, place your PVC pipes along the supply lines.

Place some markers on the manifold, valve, and each sprinkle head. You can use some colored flags as the markers. 3. Take a string that is equal in length to the spray coverage and stretch it from one marker flag to another.

This way, you can have an idea of how much spacing is there between the sprinkle heads. 4. Now you have to dig a trench. You can use a gas-powered trencher with vibratory plow for this purpose. It will not only dig the trench but it will also place the PVC pipe simultaneously. 5.

Switch off the water supply. 6. Cut a two-inch piece from the pipe that is leading to your house. You can use a PVC pipe cutter for this. 7.

Clean both the "cut ends" of the pipe and put a PVS T-fitting, with the T-points upward, at that position, and glue it with PVC cement. 8. Take a short piece of PVC pipe and attach the same with a 90-degree elbow. 9.

Connect the PVC sprinkle supply lines from the main water supply to the backflow preventer or an anti-siphon valve, whatever is applicable as per your building codes. 10. After you are through with the required connection, use short pieces of PVC with T-fittings to assemble the manifold. Do not forget to follow your manufacturer's instructions. 11. Use PVC cements to attach timer valves to the manifold, and then attach this assembly to the main pipe.

12. Assemble all the sprinkle risers. 13. Once, you are through with assembling sprinkle risers, this is the time to attach the sprinkle heads. 14.

Cut the risers to proper heights as per the manufacturer's instructions. 15. Attach the proper sprinkle head to each riser, and make sure to keep it vertical while establishing it. 16. Use soil to fill all the trenches but leave a little gap at the top. Make sure to tightly fill it so that there are no air pockets.

17. Place the timer in a dry location or in a weatherproof box. 18. Use wire nuts to connect the ground wires of each valve together, and the circuit wires of the valves to the terminal screws at the timer. Do not forget to follow the manufacturer's instructions in this regard. 19.

Now fill the gap at the top you left, and bury the cable, which is leading to the manifold, under it. 20. Connect the timer to the power supply and set the time. Note: After every connection, do not forget to turn on the water supply to check the leaks. Hence, here we see how easy it is to install an automatic sprinkle system. However, make sure that you have done the basic preparations and all the necessary tools are available to you before you actually start the installation process.

Owen Walcher writes for the Best Plumber Resource which provides plumbing tips to consumers and helps people find quality plumbers in New York.