Home made water sprinklers

[free07110]

Well figured I would see if anyone is a cheap a$$ like me and made home made sprinklers from pcv pipe and sprinkler heads from hardware store?

I live on a acre lot and run off well water. My water is very hard and has has killed three of my tripod sprinklers. I was thinking of making a small square tubing pcv pipe with the sprinkler head in Middle. Figured if the heads get ruined from the hard water then I can just replaced them easily. Just need to get sprinkler heads that cover at least 5000sq ft. Input or thoughts?

 

[ForceFed70]

Not sure what you're describing there. Do you mean using the PVC to create a square base/stand for a movable sprinkler? If so, I recommend you use black iron pipe instead. You'll want the weight of the iron to hold the sprinkler still. You'll also want the durability for when it inevitably gets stepped on, or hit with a truck/atv/tractor, etc.

Pretty common in agriculture to use PVC riser with just a sprinkler head on top. If using AG pressure and sprinkler heads (high volume, long distance) be warned - the vibration from a clacker style head WILL cause the PVC to crack and fail. Make sure it's well braced and I strongly recommend the thicker wall stuff (Schedule 40?)

 

[tjdux]

My neihbor has done that. Seems to work well for them.

Also have you tried soaking one of those ruined heads in viniger? It should disolve the hard water deposit and let let work again. Make sure to rinse and purge well with water cuz vinegar isnt good for plants

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[russ_h]

Any chance of creating a larger water catchment system to irrigate with and avoid using the hard water? IMO that would be a better plan in the long run. That hard water can't be doing your lawn any favours.

 

[dbabicky]

Just soak the ones you have in CLR from time to time. It'll clean them up like new.

 

[Docbentley]

Why do you think the new sprinkler heads won't clog up????

 

[Marctrees]

I'm thinkin you should look into real live heavy duty sprinkler heads like farmers, sod farms, etc may use.

Nothing that would be at a "hardware" store straight of the boat from jina.

Buy just the heads, NOT jineez, then create whatever stand you want, heavy pipe as said above would be best.

If you know your water pressure, and have sufficient flow, I'm sure many manufacturers have information showing coverage area. Marc

 

[Richard Cranium]

get a good rain bird brass impact sprinkler like they use in orchards, Not the plastic, then you can replace just the nozzle if it plugs up. Also you can change the nozzle to different sizes for different coverage. Be prepared to pay 25 to 30 dollars per head, but they can also be completely rebuilt if they wear out. Rich

 

[grommit]

After 34 years in Balto city FD (now retired), I've seen more damage from faulty sprinkler heads than fire in protected buildings. Be sure your system is secure and free from freezing before you charge it. Mineral build up should not be a problem as you shouldn't be flowing any water on a regular basis

 

[ForceFed70]

After 34 years in Balto city FD (now retired), I've seen more damage from faulty sprinkler heads than fire in protected buildings. Be sure your system is secure and free from freezing before you charge it. Mineral build up should not be a problem as you shouldn't be flowing any water on a regular basis

Thanks for the insight!

I'm pretty sure the OP was talking lawn sprinklers tho.

 

[larry_g]

I have a couple of these rainbird #35 sprinkler heads, http://www.rainbird.com/ag/products/impacts/35A-TNT.htm That work well for me. One sprinkler will cover an acre is 8 sets. Study the performance charts and pay attention to the flow rates. Not all systems will handle sprinklers this big.

If you spend some time in the Rainbird Agricultural catalog you can learn a lot about the flow rates, angles of discharge, and coverage.

On edit; I went back and reread your post and see your lot is 1 acre, not irrigated space. So a smaller #25 may be better suited to you needs. But study the catalog and you can come up with something that will last a lot longer than the residential heads.

lg
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