Installing a sprinkler system can be very easy if one installs them with the correct procedure. While adjacent to sidewalks and curbs the sprinklers should be at least 1" away which allows room for an edger or other tools to operate without disturbing the sprinklers. One can install the heads as far as 6" away from the concrete edge if you like. Always try to get the riser worked into a position where the sprinkler stays where you want it. If the sprinkler heads keep bending over in an angle or they wobble a lot then always try adding a 4" to 6" length of pipe to the bottom inlet of the sprinkler. Then connect the riser to the ell which is essential to make the sprinkler body longer as the bodies tend to be much more stable than short ones. The shrub sprinklers on pipes above ground should be avoided where possible.

Sprinklers and Seeded Lawns

In order to install the sprinklers the first is to buy a short "riser extension" which screws into the pop-up riser under the nozzle which raises the nozzle up a few inches higher so it doesn't wash away the seed and then remove the extensions before the first mowing. The next and most common method is to install the sprinkler heads so the top of the sprinklers is 2" above the ground.

Emitter Placement

Always remember not to place the emitters directly at the stem of the plant. For the newly planted shrubs and trees the first emitter should always be over the root-ball but as far as possible from the stem and for established plants the emitter should be placed at least a foot away from the stem or trunk. The next emitter should be not less than 24" away from the first one and always remember that a single emitter will saturate the soil with water in at least a 36" diameter area around the emitter in sandy soil. Always space the emitters at least 2 feet apart with an exception: for lawns one should use in-line emitters spaced a foot apart, with the emitter tubes in rows 18" apart.