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Are you kidding?

Comment a comment by Anonymous, published on 16 March 2006
Navigate to the top level to view all replies to the article How To Install an Underground Sprinkler System on a Budget
other nerds have left 22 comments below

Your claim that you saved a lot of money over a professional installation without sacrificing watering quality is preposterous!

I challenge you to do an irrigation audit of your system. In other words, set out a bunch of cans throughout and calculate how even the system waters. I think you’ll find that the uniformity is rather poor (which means you have to run your system longer to wet the dry spots thus wasting water). You can’t skimp on the number of heads and have good quality coverage. You need to have head-to-head coverage in all directions. You can use rotors successfully for large areas, but small areas really need smaller sprinklers. I feel sorry for your building and fencing that is likely already suffering water damage.

Also, your "backflow device" is well, sorry, it’s just a joke. That little loop won’t prevent backflow any more than a silly straw prevents you from sucking a soda pop dry. The next time you’re watering and a fire breaks out in your neighborhood or a water main breaks, all the dirty water, fertilizer, bugs, lawn chemicals, and dog feces puddling around your sprinkler heads will get sucked right back into your system and into your city’s drinking water. Did you get a permit and get your system inspected? I’ll bet not. You need the proper backflow device, properly installed, not one of those silly loops.

There is nothing wrong with doing it yourself, as long as you do it right. This is definitely NOT the way to do it.

Sincerely,
A concerned irrigation professional

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RE: Are you kidding? by Brandon :: NR9

It’s good to hear from a professional. I’ve no doubt that there are benefits to spending the big bucks. I’m an engineer, and I can understand the value of a well-designed and complete project. It’s understandable that a cheap system like this would make a "irrigation professional" cringe, but for under $600 (and going on year three) I’m very pleased with the system.

I’m curious, though. In your professional opinion, what could I have done differently to improve the project without significantly increasing the cost? The system I installed is extremely adaptable, so if you have some good suggestions, I just might implement them.

(I have to warn you ahead of time, though, I’m not concerned about the minute probability that there will be a fire or water main break in my neighborhood during the couple of hours a week that I water.)

Posted 16 March 2006, Hide, Parent, Reply
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Backflow question by Brandon :: NR9

I’d like to take advantage of your expertise and ask a question about the physics of backflow. How, exactly, does water push from my yard, into the sprinkler system and then into the city water? The major obstacle I see is that even if the sprinkler line pulled a vacuum, it would be extremely difficult for water to enter the line. The sprinkler heads would be closed and the filters are one way. I’m sure there would be some seepage at those points and any imperfect joints, but only if the potential points of entry were completely submerged (otherwise the vacuum would just suck in air).

Posted 16 March 2006, Hide, Parent, Reply
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RE: Are you kidding? by tomtolman :: NR5

Concerned Irrigation Professional,

Thanks for your comments. I’ve got a different question for you. If someone is planning on installing an irrigation system and they are looking for a professional what should they look for? What is the best way to select a company to do the install? I’m sure some companies are better than other? What clues can you look for to make sure you are getting the best quality for your buck? Where can you save money? What have you learned from your experience working with customers?

Thanks,
Tom

Posted 16 March 2006, Hide, Parent, Reply
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RE: Are you kidding? by Anonymous :: NR0

I know this may be a little late and none of you may see this post.

In the picture I saw the spigot DOES have a backflow preventer on it -Every new home has one. Isnt that good enough??

Posted 09 May 2006, Hide, Parent, Reply
1 Nerd-It - +
RE: Are you kidding? by Anonymous :: NR0

Just a small add-on to the "backflow preventer" postings. I live in Post Falls, Idaho and here we are required to by code to be audited yearly. I just got a notice saying that if I don’t have a professional audit submitted I will lose water service in 15 days until one is complete.

I did, however, use the information in this article to add to an existing system (back yard). I used rigid 3/4" PVC in 20’ lengths and the Rainbird 32SA heads. I have a 60’ X 75’ yard and 9 heads, I overkilled on the number of valves, each valve supplies only 3 heads. I’m burying shallow with the exception of the head in the center of the yard, all the rest are along fences and are protected so I’m not going to dig deep in the rocky soil here.
Posted 31 July 2006, Hide, Parent, Reply

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