Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Nov 29, 2009 8:43 am I have been seeking advice on home watering systems, and have received a lot of very helpful advice, for which I am very thankful. Those offering advice are obviously either professionals in the field, or have that level of expertise. I am a very amateur DIY home gardener, and I want to install a garden watering system myself. I was wondering if there are any others in a similar situation who have successfully done this, and whether you have any tips from the perspective of someone who lacks experience. I'm interested in whether you found it difficult, whether the system you installed has worked well, and what approach you took (products, design of system, etc). That's pretty vague, I know, but I want to supplement the expert advice I have received with experience from people like me. Thanks. Re: DIY home watering systems 2Nov 29, 2009 8:47 am What I'll try and do is just put some pictures together. That will give you a better idea and help get your head around it:) Re: DIY home watering systems 3Nov 29, 2009 9:47 am yes please Fu Almost ready to start putting in the first bit of garden here. ( yes I know weather /season wise it's bad timing) so I'd love to see piccies too Re: DIY home watering systems 4Nov 29, 2009 5:56 pm well I will go make up a manifold that would suit what ercatli is after and get some photos I have been saying for ages I'd do a how to on installing a system using some of the pics I have gathered but I have not Re: DIY home watering systems 5Nov 29, 2009 5:59 pm 'A bottle of wine contains more philosophy than all the books in the world.' Louis Pasteur Vegie garden: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=27637&start=0 My Backyard Adventure Re: DIY home watering systems 6Nov 29, 2009 7:17 pm I installed my own system at our old place - but that was back in the days when you could use sprinklers. It was easy to do, but took a bit of trial and error for me to work out how many sprinklers I could run off each line (yes, there's probably a formula to follow, but where's the fun in that? ). One thing I'd suggest is not to bother if you have a dog who likes to chew stuff. My back yard system served me well until we got a new pooch and then it was kind of in bits all over the yard... Pics would be lovely Fu - I need to put a drip system in now. Re: DIY home watering systems 7Nov 29, 2009 7:51 pm kek One thing I'd suggest is not to bother if you have a dog who likes to chew stuff. My back yard system served me well until we got a new pooch and then it was kind of in bits all over the yard... That's why I'm going to wait to get a dog until after I've done my irrigation, I'm going to try to put most of it under the soil 'A bottle of wine contains more philosophy than all the books in the world.' Louis Pasteur Vegie garden: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=27637&start=0 My Backyard Adventure Re: DIY home watering systems 8Nov 29, 2009 8:03 pm I got some piccies for you but I ma juggling some other things just now and will post them and what you are looking at tonight or tomorrow In the mean time this is the standards and an excellent run down of irrigation systems and how they go together. http://www.watercorporation.com.au/_fil ... ations.pdf Re: DIY home watering systems 9Nov 30, 2009 1:34 am I;m currently putting in a drip irrigation to all my garden beds and a greywater system to service my lawn in the back yard. I bought all the drip irrigation stuff from my nursery, what they didn't have I bought from Bunnings. There is a huge range of things available, and I think all up for the drip irrigation stuff it's going to set me back about $400 (front and back). The greywater unit is costing me about $800 and the cost of the plumber to set it up to both my baths. I had instant turf laid about a week ago, and with the rain it is flurishing, but it wont when the heat comes so I need that system ASAP, it's due mon/tues I think. This will automatically water my lawn every time we have a bath. The drip irrigation is permitted to be turned on for 2hrs twice per week (depending one what number your house is). For me it is Weds morn and Sun morn. I am told by my landscaper that these two systems will give me a flourishing and happy garden for many years to come, providing I give it the occasional extra water on VERY hot days... fair nuf any questions, just PM me A thankful person is a happy person. [/color]My hobby design blog: http://aviewondesign.blogspot.com/ Re: DIY home watering systems 10Jan 17, 2010 9:30 pm Since I began this thread, I thought I'd report back and ask a couple more questions. I've pretty much installed my drip system and a lawn watering system. Both are working OK, but still need a bit of tweaking.
So now a couple of questions about adjusting the rotators, if anyone can help please. I have used 90-210 degree rotators, and these have one setting (the left edge of the watering area) and two adjustments (the angle of watering and the radius). There are no markings for the two adjustments, and it is hard to know whether one has reached any maximum or minimum. It seems (to me) that the angle adjustment ring can be rotated past the maximum setting until it completes a circle and comes to a minimum angle, and I'm not sure how far to turn the radius screw either. Does anyone know how to know when one has reached the maximum angle and radius please? Re: DIY home watering systems 11Jan 17, 2010 11:32 pm The Holman controller! but you are happy and that is the main thing. Now the MP's on a hillside shouldn't matter that much at all. These are best used with a water pressure reducer (hi flo) The adjustment of the arc is easy enough to nut out. there will be a black line on the MP marking the "start" point for want of a better word, then adjust the radius while in use. The depth of throw is controlled by the screw in the top. Screw it down = more water. screw it out/up = less water. You want "head to head watering with all irrigation systems other than subsurface (even then it is similar). The throw of one pop up needs to touch the head of the next one. That is the basic rule of irrigation. The water from the opposite popup/ MP is watering the area immediately around the opposite popup These will have to be on for nearly 40 mins on average to provide the required 10mm of water to the lawn To check, use the lid of a SPC or Goulburn Valley juice container as it holds exactly the equivalent of 10mm of rain You will need to use something to get them level though and that will determine the watering time The heads should be installed not level but on the angle of the slope. You should be right with that though. As for punching the holes, well a hole punch is essential. there are two, use an orange 4mm punch for the red and brown 6mm miniscape tube fittings and there is a special 7 or 8mm punch (don't recall the exact size) for the 10mm/13mm fitting for the 13mm Techline AS. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Using a screw driver is going give you head aches. The proper punches are designed to not go through the other side of the pipe and will make the job far quicker and easier than not using them. They are also designed so the fitting goes on the other end and you don't get sore hands pushing them in The flush valves are essential at the end of the subsurface lines and handy for the pop up line. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: DIY home watering systems 12Jan 18, 2010 6:31 am Thanks for that info. A few comments and further questions ..... 1. I am adjusting arc and radius while in use, but I'm wondering is there any "stop" at either end of the adjustment? It appears that the arc adjustment can just go round the full circle, so finding the maximum (where I need the maximum, for obviously I don't always need it) is a little difficult. But my main problem is the radius adjustment - with a screw adjustment, I worry about whether I can screw it too far? (I also have one rotator that is not watering at the start of its arc as designated by the line on the rotator, so I have to figure out whether some dirt has got in to block it, or of there has been some internal re-adjustment somehow - but that is a one-off.) 2. I installed the rotators vertical. I have wondered since whether perpendicular to the slope would have been better, and that is what I understand you to be saying. There is a little flexibility in the poly pipe, so I can probably adjust a little, but I may need to dig down a bit to achieve this. I don't want to disturb the turf just now, but I may be able to fix that later. 3. Testing water depth with strategically placed tins is a good idea, and I will do that. I have an odd shaped lawn, and I'm also trying to water grass on the footpath without putting pipes and pop-ups on Council land, so I can't have a regular layout as shown in the manuals. But I've tried to achieve "head to head watering", and mostly succeeded. 4. I used a proper hole punch, but the problem was that the poly pipe squeezed together under the pressure of punching (even though I used premium quality poly) and once or twice the point of the punch hit the opposite wall, even though I tried to squeeze it the opposite way. I just think it seems to be a simple system, but I didn't find it easy to do. 5. Are there any known problems with the Holman controller? I have had none, and found it very convenient and easy (important for a mug amateur), although I haven't got the rain gauge attachment working properly yet. Thanks for you ongoing help. I hope this discussion may help others who are doing the same as I am. Re: DIY home watering systems 13Jan 18, 2010 12:34 pm Quote: 1. I am adjusting arc and radius while in use, but I'm wondering is there any "stop" at either end of the adjustment? It appears that the arc adjustment can just go round the full circle, so finding the maximum (where I need the maximum, for obviously I don't always need it) is a little difficult. But my main problem is the radius adjustment - with a screw adjustment, I worry about whether I can screw it too far? (I also have one rotator that is not watering at the start of its arc as designated by the line on the rotator, so I have to figure out whether some dirt has got in to block it, or of there has been some internal re-adjustment somehow - but that is a one-off. Not sure I understand this one. The water just stops once it reaches it's maximum coverage. Ie a half will only cover 180 deg. You would have to have fulls or 3/4 for the effect you are having of the water coming around behind the nozzle. You can turn the nozzle till the cows come home but the water still will only be adjustable between 90 and 210 degrees. There is no internal adjustment, The nozzle will be blocked with grit from installation. you'll have to pull it out and check the filter. You can't clean the internals of these. That is why it has such a fine filter. Say with MP 1000's they cover around 2-2.5m minimum so the next one should be about 2-2.5m away. When you use them for the first time, they will normally be spot of for the distance they throw. You can feel like you turn the screw for ever but in the end it will only adjust the throw of water from between 2.5 right out as far as 4m. When they are on, you will see the water throw change like as if you were turning a tap as you adjust the screw. 4 or 5 turns either way is about all you need to adjust. Use a flat blade jewellers screw driver to do that. yes they should be perpendicular to the slope. With odd shapes you just won't avoid (and even regualr shapes) overthrow onto paths etc. the key is minimising it. If it goes on council land then, hey. Most houses here in Perth irrigate the verge lawns which are on council land but it's all about making your home look more presentable. You might not avoid it in places. Either way your system is far more efficient in applying water than handwatering, and that is a fact. After installation it's a good idea to flush each station for about 4 or 5 mins to ensure any debris has been flushed before fitting the nozzles to the popup bodies. Each pop up body will normally be sold with a flush cap. That stays on till flushing has been done. They are often white or orange. They are cheap to buy and that is a bonus for many. I find them difficult to use in comparison to the Hunters, toro, rainbird and Irritrol controllers. I replace many Holman controllers Re: DIY home watering systems 14Jan 18, 2010 12:37 pm I would strongly advise having pipes on the council verge as watering from your side will be inadequate and inefficient. a building inspector should be able to tell you about any major problems but we need a floor plan with dimensions to clarify options for extra bedrooms ... sometime an… 1 8716 Assuming the structure of your cabinetry is good then I would DIY everything as follows: - replace your counter tops entirely, - replace all drawer runners with soft close… 1 4780 |