When designing an irrigation system, it's important to specify the right type of sprinkler heads to use in each zone. Sprinkler heads come in many styles, sizes and spray patterns. Careful planning will guarantee that you select the right types of sprinkler heads to cover your lawn.
One thing to keep in mind when laying out your irrigation system: don't mix different types of heads in the same zone. Sprinkler head types have different flow rates; mixing them will lead to uneven coverage.
Micro-sprayers: Small But Effective
Micro-sprayers are adjustable sprinkler heads that can provide a dribble or a spray up to 10 feet. These sprinkler heads are mostly used to water flowerbeds, foundation plants and areas that have limited water needs. Micro-sprayer heads come in a variety of fan patterns up to 360 degrees.
Pop-up Heads: The Industry Standard
Pop-up sprinkler heads hide underground when not in use. When the irrigation system is turned on, these sprinkler heads use water pressure to rise up out of the ground. Water pressure is also used to turn the gears in rotary pop-up heads. Pop up heads can cover an area of up to 35 feet and are used to water large areas of turf grass.
Pop up sprinkler heads come in both rotary and fixed spray models. Pop-up rotary heads can be adjusted to fit a custom spray pattern or can be allowed to cover a full circle. Fixed spray pop-up heads come in quarter, half and full circle patterns.
Impact heads: A Blast From The Past
In an impact sprinkler head, a mechanical arm interrupts the water flow causing the water to form a spray pattern and moving the head around in a circle. Impact heads have a range of up to 45 feet and are useful in covering large areas.
The open design of impact heads leaves them vulnerable to debris. This makes impact heads a poor choice for -crawling' types of grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia. These grasses can tangle impact sprinkler heads increasing maintenance and downtime.
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