Choose the right sprinkler head alongside a professional system to create a fresh, effortless yard
Having a lush, green yard can be time-consuming and frustrating, but with the help of a lawn sprinkler system, your lawn can quickly become the best on the block. Working with the right sprinkler head and sprinkler installation professional will optimize your water use, giving you the perfect place for touch football, games of tag, or just lounging.
Before you begin your decision-making process, note the size of your yard and the types of plants growing so you can assess what sprinkler head and spray pattern is the best fit.
1. Pop-Up Sprinkler Head
Many home systems use pop-up sprinkler heads. These sprinkler systems rise from the ground when the water pressure activates the sprinkler, and go underground when the system shuts off. They provide even water distribution and spray at a low angle.
Ideal for:
Any size yard
Side yards
Gardens
2. Spray Irrigation Heads
A fixed spray sprinkler head produces a solid, continuous stream of water that can reach up to 15 feet. Basically, the sprinkler puts out a lot of water really fast. If you live in a windy place, this is not the sprinkler head for you.
Ideal for:
Small or medium-sized lawns
Shrubs
Ground covers
3. Rotary Nozzle Sprinkler Heads
A rotary nozzle sprays one continuous stream of water while it rotates around. This head spreads the water more slowly than spray sprinkler heads. They work best for slow draining lawns and slopes, where flooding is common. Because these sprinkler heads stream water out, this sprinkler has less runoff and wasted water. The wind does not blow the water away easily.
Ideal for:
Medium or large lawns
Side yards
4. Impact Sprinkler Head
Known for its ticking sound, impact sprinklers cover a lot of ground as they rotate and spray up to a 150-foot radius. Most impact sprinkler heads can be adjusted with a nozzle to water a smaller radius. Because these heads have an uninterrupted flow, they are less vulnerable to clogging, making them ideal for systems supplied by mineral-heavy well water.
Ideal for:
Large yards
Yards watered by well water
5. Gear-Driven Systems
Gear-driven sprinkler heads rotate at a uniform speed and offer a lot of flexibility. These sprinkler heads are smooth and quiet and allow for uniform watering of your yard. Gear-driven sprinkler systems come with nozzles to enable you to match your sprinkler head with your lawn needs.
Ideal for:
Medium or large yards
Side yards
You can mix and match sprinkler heads depending on the plants in your landscape arrangement. If you go this route, pay attention to how much water flows from each head, as you do not want to overwater your plants.
“Ideally, a dripline is recommended rather than sprinkler heads for landscape plants, as overhead watering can cause leaf spot and disease issues on a lot of ornamental plants,” says Tara Dudley, Angi Expert Review Board member and owner of Plant Life Designs. “Sprinkler heads are mostly recommended for turf grass areas.”
Can You Install Your Own Sprinkler Heads?
Once you’ve determined the optimal sprinkler head set-up, it’s time to call in the pros. Sprinkler head installation is labor intensive and complicated. Not to mention, you run the risk of hitting utilities.
For new construction installations, It’s best to install the sprinkler heads after the landscape beds have been created, before any turf grass has been installed.
“There are other things you can do in the landscape if you want to invest some of your time to save some money. Irrigation’s one of the last things I’d suggest,” says Jim Brandon of Landmark DBM in Indianapolis.
Whether you are looking to install a new system or upgrade an old one, doing thorough research on price, sprinkler heads, and the system as a whole can save you time and money. And, remember, troubleshooting your sprinkler system problems can save you quite a bit compared to replacing it.
