Rating | Image | Products | Score | Price |
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1 Best Rated |
Rain Bird 32ETI Automatic Sprinkler System Editor’s Choice |
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2 Best Price |
Inground sprinkler systems are one of the most efficient irrigation systems for residential gardens. They’re known to be water-efficient, not to mention most models available are highly durable and packed with options that suit each individual’s preferences. If you’re looking for the best inground sprinkler system, this article will guide you by giving you some buying tips and reviews of the best products on the market.
An inground sprinkler system ensures your lawn can get the watering it needs.
Why Install An Underground Sprinkler System
Your lawn will require proper irrigation and an efficient water system to keep the grass stay alive, fresh, and healthy. Watering the lawn manually isn’t easy, and you can’t even distribute the water properly. With a walking sprinkler system, you don’t have to worry about uneven water distribution on your lawn. In fact, it’s one of the best investments you could get to ensure your lawn can maintain a healthy and beautiful landscape without the issues of over or under-watering.
Aside from that, installing an inground sprinkler system in your lawn allows you to benefit from the following:
1. Efficient Watering
One of the most sought-after benefits of an underground sprinkler system is its watering efficiency. It allows you to water your lawn efficiently by limiting and evenly distributing water throughout your lawn. Moreover, it also opens and closes water flow based on the soil moisture for hassle-free lawn maintenance.
2. Water-Saver
A sprinkler system allows you to save water since you can configure it to water your lawn early in the morning or late in the afternoon. By watering the lawn during such periods, you can reduce the rate of evaporation and give enough time for the plants to absorb water. Since most sprinkler systems in the market are now automatic, you simply have to set the timer and let them do the rest.
3. Lawn Care Automation
With a complete underground sprinkler system, you can benefit from lawn care automation. You no longer need to do manual watering work every now and then, which is really beneficial especially if you are away from home for a few days and no one is there to water your lawn. Basically, your sprinkler system will be the one to take care of that.
4. Fully Customizable
One of the best things about installing the best inground sprinkler system in your lawn is that you can customize how you water your lawn. There are settings that will allow you to configure how it will water your lawn depending on its size, shape, and type.
Inground sprinklers are automated to ensure your lawn gets watered even while you’re away from home.
Top 2 Best Inground Sprinkler System Products For The Money
Now that we’ve talked about the benefits you can get from an inground sprinkler system, let us review two of the best inground sprinkler system products available on the market.
#1 Rain Bird 32ETI Automatic Sprinkler System
Rain Bird 32ETI Automatic Sprinkler System. Via: Amazon.com
The Rain Bird 32ETI sprinkler system is the perfect solution if you’re tired of the results you get from manual watering. It comes with an installation manual to allow you to perform a do it yourself inground sprinkler system installation with ease. It also includes six rotary sprinklers with patented Rain Curtain nozzle technology. The sprinkler system is capable of covering between 1000 and 3000 feet. It also comes with a convenient timer setting to allow you to schedule watering on any day of the week.
Pros
- It’s relatively easy to install and comes with an installation manual for DIY projects.
- It offers great performance for a product of its price.
- Its Rain Curtain nozzle technology allows you to save a lot of water by reducing overspray.
Cons
- The total coverage is only limited to 3,000 sq. ft. However, this is actually enough in a residential setting.
- It doesn’t come with a rain sensor, which probably explains its low price.
#2 Quick-Snap QSK-742 Adjustable Sprinkler System
Quick-Snap QSK-742 Adjustable Sprinkler System. Via:Amazon.com
Quick-Snap QSK-742 is a versatile inground sprinkler featuring an adjustable design which could last for several years. Like the Rain Bird, this is also relatively easy to install with the help of an installation manual. It’s capable of covering up to 5,000 square feet, making it the ideal choice for those with a huge lawn area.
Pros
- It can cover up to 5,000 square feet. Therefore, if you have a huge lawn, this could be the perfect product for you.
- It’s a very affordable product that provides excellent value for its price.
Cons
- Some buyers have complaints regarding minor leaks, although they can be solved with the help of a Teflon tape.
How Much Does an Inground Sprinkler System Installation Cost?
The average cost for an inground sprinkler system installation may vary from one place to another. However, it usually depends on two main factors: your lawn size, and the chosen components for building your system. On average, it will cost you around $2,000 to $2,500 to install an inground sprinkler system to a lawn measuring 2,500 sq. feet. However, as the size increases, it doesn’t necessarily mean the costs go up at the same rate.
With the help of an installation manual, you can conduct DIY installation for your inground sprinkler system.
You can find sprinkler system installation services nearby that will install a sprinkler system for you. However, if you have enough time on your hands and want to perform a DIY project instead, you can always follow these DIY/homemade inground sprinkler system installation steps.
#1 Step: Get In The Zone
Your lawn is often divided into several different zones. Each zone having different needs and watering schedule. Some of the most common zones in a lawn include the following:
- Landscaping zone
- Lawn zone
- Flower and vegetable zone
Inground sprinklers have an automatic timer, which regulates water flow throughout the system. However, you can choose to include rain sensors and self-adjusting timers to make sure overwatering is prevented.
#2 Step: Create a Plan
Typically, creating a plan as a first-timer is difficult. For this reason, most inground sprinkler manufacturers even provide planning help that is specifically designed for your property. All you have to do is provide them information regarding the size of your lawn and your water supply system. The best part about it is that such service is free and the plan can be downloaded in the form of guides and step-by-step videos.
#3 Step: Start Digging
You will need to dig trenches for your water supply lines and sprinkler heads.
Now that you have a plan, the next step is to dig trenches in the yard for the water supply lines and sprinkler heads. However, before that, make sure you check your local building codes first. In some cases, you will need a permit and the services of a licensed plumber to connect your irrigation system to the water system in your house. To avoid injuries, make sure you have all the necessary safety tools before you start digging.
#4 Step: Install The System
After you’re done digging, it’s now time to install your inground sprinkler. A complete underground sprinkler system actually has a lot of other components, such as bubblers and sprinkler heads. Make sure you check them out in the manufacturer’s guides.
Unless you have experience as a DIY electrician or plumber, the installation process will sometimes require a bit of professional help from:
- An electrician to connect your system to the automatic timer and
- A plumber to connect your sprinkler to the water system in your house.
Sometimes, DIY installation gets too complicated that you will have to seek the help of the experts. Source: diynetwork.com
If you believe a DIY project is too complicated for you to tackle, you can always consider the services of a professional installation company. Although you will have to spend a few thousand dollars, it will definitely help you save a lot of work.
How To Choose The Best Inground Sprinkler System For Your Yard
Choosing an inground sprinkler system is one of the most important decisions you can make to ensure a healthy and well-watered lawn. With a proper inground sprinkler installed, you can create a flawless lawn for you and your family to enjoy. But how do you choose the best inground sprinkler system on the market? Here are some tips you can follow:
1. Choose a Sprinkler Based On Your Property’s Size
Your choice of an inground sprinkler will depend on how big your lawn is.
Inground sprinklers are normally suited for large-sized lawns and in areas where grass won’t grow properly without enough water supply. In general, they are expensive to purchase and install. However, once they’re installed, you no longer have to worry about watering your yard even when you’re away. For smaller lawns, a stationary lawn sprinkler is often the ideal choice. However, you can also find inground sprinkler systems which are suited for relatively small lawns.
2. Make Sure There’s a Timer Included
Certain areas in the US tend to experience water restrictions on a regular basis. This is an effort to ensure water is conserved as much as possible. Therefore, you are required to water your lawn responsibly.
Timers allow you to schedule watering your lawns. This ensures that they get the water they need without the need for manual work. Source: thaltech.com
In order to deal with water restrictions, the best course of action to take is to use a timer and record the duration you’ve been watering on any given day. Although an automatic timer is commonly included in most inground sprinkler products, you should still check if it has this feature. With a timer, your sprinkler system will automatically set the watering schedule and duration.
3. Look For a Product With Easy-to-Understand Guide
The best inground sprinkler system should come with an easy-to-understand user manual. This is useful, especially if you plan to tackle a DIY installation for your sprinkler system. Each technical aspect of using the system should be laid out in a quick and easy to understand manner so that you no longer have to call for the help of an expert.
Moreover, your sprinkler system has to do more than simply water your lawn. It should also do the job in a precise and efficient manner. This only means you need to check if there are timers included, if you can adjust the water pressure, and if it comes with rain sensors to prevent overwatering.
How An Inground Sprinkler System Works
The controller is the one responsible for the overall operation of your inground sprinkler system. Source: galttech.com
Inground sprinkler systems allow you to water your landscape without unnecessarily wasting water. Since water flow is carefully controlled, inground sprinkler systems give you the utmost control over your lawn. Although the benefits of an inground system can’t be denied, a lot of potential buyers wonder how it works.
In an inground system, a number of retractable sprinkler heads are buried for around 12 inches below the surface. Water then flows throughout the pipe through a pressure system which follows this pattern:
- Water valves are opened and closed by an electronic controller;
- Upon activation, water flows through the pipe and sprinkler heads are forced above the ground through pressure; and
- Once water pressure stops, the sprinkler heads will go back underground.
In other words, once the controller opens the water valves, water is then released and irrigation commences. Water often comes from two main sources: a pump system and a metered water system. In a pump system, water flows to the sprinkler from a nearby body of water. This could either be a pond or a lake. By taking water from this source, homeowners are able to save a lot on water costs. Meanwhile, a metered water system is connected to the home’s existing water supply. This does come with additional costs; however, it is a lot more reliable as compared to a pump system.
A nearby body of water such as a small pond or lake could be used as a water source for your sprinkler system. Source: tinyfarmblog.com
To get a full idea of how does an inground sprinkler system work, you need to understand that everything is controlled by the controller. The controller, which is installed above ground, is connected to a set of water valves. This set of valves is where water flows before it gets evenly distributed throughout the entire sprinkler system. The controller is programmed to control the valve individually and control when they should open, how much water they should release, and when they should stop.
The Verdict
Despite a good number of inground sprinkler systems on the market, I have chosen only two of them to review. Of the two, I would recommend the Rain Bird 32ETI Automatic Sprinkler System as the best inground sprinkler system. The fact that it can cover up to 5,000 square feet of lawn makes it a highly versatile system. Moreover, it is available at a very affordable price.
Have you tried using an inground sprinkler before? What features do you love about it? Feel free to share your thoughts in a comment below! Also, please share this article with your friends. Thanks for reading!
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