SB HOME MATTERS
BY HAILEY LAWSON
IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
T
he grass is always greener with a good irrigation system. You can give nature a little help by nurturing your landscape with the water it needs to thrive. You need to choose the right irrigation system to achieve that lush landscape. Different systems are used in a variety of environments. Understanding the different types of systems will help you choose the best one for your landscaping needs. Here are a few things you should know.
SPRINKLER IRRIGATION
A sprinkler irrigation system applies water in a controlled manner that is similar to rainfall. The water is distributed through a network of pipes and sprinkler heads. There are two main types of sprinkler heads which differ in how they distribute water – rotor sprinklers and spray sprinklers. Spray heads sprinkle water like shower nozzles, whereas rotor heads rotate when watering an area.
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APRIL 2021
| SBMAG.NET
SPRAY HEADS • Good for small areas • Higher flow rate than rotary heads • More susceptible to water runoff and puddling • Stationary with a wide coverage range • On hot days, lower efficiency through evaporation • Can water complex and small areas that rotors cannot ROTARY HEADS • Good for large areas – Large spray radius (15 ft.-50 ft.) • Low flow rate reduces puddling and runoff • High spray pressure – prevents clogging of spray Sprinkler irrigation is excellent for any slope. However, water distribution is affected by high temperatures and strong winds. It’s important to remember that outdoor irrigation accounts for close to 60% of residential water use in some parts of the United States. The type of irrigation system you choose plays a large role in the amount of water used.
