Turn on the faucet with the gauge connected after youre sure no other locations are utilizing water. You can find heating cables that automatically adjust their temperature based on the conditions. You will want to attach risers at certain points, using 90-degree connectors at each of the intersections. amarcoplumbing.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. If you make a purchase after clicking on an affiliate link, I may get a commission. Anything shallower than 8 inches or so runs the risk of becoming damaged during winter or compromising your soil and preventing grass from growing properly. Irrigation lines for residential sprinkler systems should be buried between 8 and 12 inches under the soil surface. Many areas have requirements for irrigation pipes that determine how deep you must bury them to follow your local ordinances. Each head has its own different water pressure and, thus, consumes water at a different rate. August 4, 2020. This will help them get established and will also prevent them from drying out and damaging your sprinkler lines. It is the trees and plants that have shallow root systems that can be the problem. Many people recommend burying it about 12 inches deep in the ground. The subsurface installation insulates pipes and helps prevent damage from frozen pipes. Consider that the planning of the course is also an important part of the process. You may now begin putting the sprinkler heads once the sprinkler lines have been installed. andrea martin nick davies; To pull that off, you typically need to use an aptly named tool such as a compactor or perhaps an excavator. Make sure you know where all gas lines, power lines and cable TV lines are before you start to dig. Plant anything at least 15 feet away if at all possible for peace of mind. Colder climates should be buried closer to 12 inches while warmer climates can be buried closer to 8 inches. How Deep Are Sprinkler Lines? There are two reasons why you want to bury them so deeply. You may also phone your local water company if you dont have a pressure gauge or dont want to go out and get one. Leaves and piles of snow work just fine as makeshift insulators. Finally, install the controller. The time needed to dig the trench will depend on the length and depth. Just be sure to plant shallow-rooted plants like annuals and perennials. For a mild climate environment, 8 to 12 inches is enough depth. Take out the screen basket as well and make sure to clean it thoroughly. The pipes will be far enough down to not disturb any grass seeds or other small flowers that might take root in your yard. Keep everything as level as you can; use a leveling tool if you have to in order to approximate evenness. The heads are going to be the first point of investigation. In colder areas, 12 inches below the surface should keep them from freezing. According to the National Snow & Ice Data Center, snow excels at insulating because of its makeup. How long does it take to dig a trench by hand. This is usually a 4-inch pipe that is buried below the frost line in a trench that is properly prepared and sloped. With these tips in mind, digging your trenches will be a breeze! The length of the sprinkler body will also help determine how deep a sprinkler line needs to be buried. If you accidentally damage a sprinkler line, you should call your local water utility company. Thinner lines should usually be buried slightly deeper to give them better protection from disturbances and cold weather. When to Build If you are in a cold zone and aren't in a rush to build, it's best to wait until spring to start digging. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. These have several great advantages. That means you dont have to monitor the cables themselves. All underground utilities must be confirmed to be out of the trench network. If you must plant a large-growing tree with a spreading root system, keep it 100 feet away from your sewer line. Allowing the water to continually flow through your shallow water pipes can stop the freezing process. (And How Do You Extend Its Life?). This looks like water from the fire sprinkler system, which is entirely separate from the regular water lines. Make sure to check the backflow device of your sprinkler system; sometimes they can be closed off and will simply need to be opened. Remove the lid from the canister to remove the head, then rinse away any dirt or soil that may be blocking it up. Before covering the lines, they can be secured. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. It can be easily done with the right tools and first with the right information. The trenches can be dug by hand or using a trencher. Anything less and you run the risk of doing damage to them during lawncare or allowing them to freeze during the colder months of the year. So when digging your trenches, be sure to keep this in mind. The best way to provide water for your sprinkler system is to connect it to your water lines existing spigot. Every zone in your irrigation system should contain between four and six sprinkler heads, according to a reasonable rule of thumb. This depth, plus the riser and the supply line, will ensure the sprinklers don't interfere with the grass. A sprinkler system requires a water source that can provide a higher volume of water than a hose bib can provide. This will help keep your route even and on target and avoid digging off course and making a larger mess for yourself than you anticipated. If that doesnt help, then you may have a clog in your homes water line. If your location doesnt allow for that, choose plants with a deeper root structure to prevent harming your sprinkler lines. Before you start digging in your yard for any reason, its important to know where your sprinkler lines are. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. The sod can be gently lifted with the shovel and placed on one side of the trench. How deep are sprinkler lines buried? 5 Will tree roots damage sprinkler system? Watering the dirt lightly with a hose can settle dirt in just a few moments, and it might make your digging easier at the same time. The depth of the trench for the sprinkler line is dependent on the climate of the area. This will need digging up your pipes, replacing them, and then digging deeper holes. Now that I'm all grown up with a wife and kids of my own, I hope to share all the knowledge I've gained over the years. Just avoid using anything that produces a flame. Should the sprinkler head and the valve be in fine working order, there is a chance that you have a leak that is siphoning the water pressure from your irrigation system. Can you plant over them? This will require you to dig up your pipes, replace them, and then dig your trenches deeper. If the heads are swing-joint-mounted, you can pry up on a head to raise it, if needed. It is also needed to know the length of the whole trench line. If you want to bury your line in a more shallow trench, purchase risers that sit flush between the sprinkler and the supply line. The signs that you have frozen pipes are easy to detect. Water lines should be dug to this depth to ensure that they remain undisturbed by normal surface activity, deep enough to be protected from freezing temps in the early Spring and late Fall, and shallow enough to easily supply water to sprinkler heads that rise above ground level. By marking these ahead of time, youll avoid accidentally digging in areas where you cant install anyway, and avoid causing damage to these lines with the sharp end of your shovel. Each trench with a depth of about 10 inches and a width of 4 inches is enough to contain both components. In addition, a small hand spade will give you some fine control to carve a narrow pathway in your lawn thats the perfect size for placing sprinkler pipes. While budgets are understandable and important, it may be worth saving the effort by going with a different process. Ensure to lay the lines on an even gradient for an effective flow of water through them. This depth will put the lines out of reach of grass. Because of those varied conditions, you dont always to worry about your water lines freezing over. The soil excavated should be placed on the other side of the trench. 1) The roots of the tree will eventually entangle themselves in the line, potentially damaging the sprinkler system. They will be able to tell you where your lines are and how deep they are so you can avoid them when youre digging. The unit of measurement is pound per square inch (PSI). Fountain glass is a tall glass used in soda fountains, family restaurants and 24 hour diner-style restaurants. Some smaller yard applications use CPVC (bell end) water pipe, in same diameters as the poly. Once enough ice accumulates inside a pipe, it could burst. However, it's a good idea to check with your local utility company before you dig, just to be sure. This is the minimum depth for pipes that run over long distances and do not connect to sprinkler heads. The trench should end at least 6 to 8 feet away from the home. A pick mattock or pickaxe can be used to clear such obstacles. The answer is that the depth of the sprinkler line depends on how much water pressure it will be used with. No matter how good the plans are, they can go bad in a heartbeat without some preparation. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. She earned a BA in communications from Jacksonville State University. While the standard depth for fire sprinkler pipelines is 35 to 38 inches, deeper burial may sometimes be required. In many areas, codes require that electric lines be buried at least two feet deep. Whatever route that you choose, digging the proper depth is imperative. The trenches are covered with soil. Dig for Your Sprinkler System The trenches will be relatively shallow, usually 6 to 12 inches deep, depending on your areas freeze cycles and frost severity. Trees with spreading roots and species that require large amounts of water should be planted at least 20 feet from any underground pipe or utility line. The lines need to be deep enough, too, to allow sprinkler heads to retract down to ground level so they don't run afoul of lawn mowers. Step 4: Insulate Above-Ground Components. A good rule of thumb is that you should have between four and six sprinkler heads for every zone in your irrigation system. If you do not want your drip tubing exposed, you can cover it with mulch. Youll save yourself a lot of time and energy if you test the sprinkler system beforehand. Backfilling is a good idea if you want to keep your shallow water lines at the right temperature. For about 10 feet long trench digging, about an hour of work is needed. Please consult your local codes. So, when should you start to worry? How deep do electrical lines need to be buried? Hi, my name is Marco. However, most funeral homes require the use of a casket for a traditional burial. Stop your shallow water lines from freezing by adding some kind of insulation. Keep laying your piping along the open trench and use T connectors for any pipes that run directly off of the main line. For more information, please visit our Disclaimer Page. If youre wondering how many sprinkler heads you can use per valve or zone, the answer is that it depends on the pressure and flow rate of your system. The depth of the lines needs to be at least equal to the diameter of the pipe plus 4 inches. This entails a significant amount of time (and money) spent resolving an issue that might have been avoided. For example, if you're using a pipe with a 2-inch diameter and you want it buried 10 inches below the surface, your trench must be 12 inches deep. If youre not sure where your sprinkler lines are, you can always call your local utility company for help. It is not compulsory to have two pipes as the wires may not be put in a pipe. Pipe for conveying liquids susceptible to freezing should be buried no less than 12" below the maximum frost level.