Lawn Sprinklers

Lawn Sprinklers • Sprinkler Systems • Planning • Installation • Usage & Maintenance

Lawn sprinklers are devices used to irrigate lawns and landscaped areas, especially during periods of low rainfall. Lawn irrigation may be accomplished with a portable lawn sprinkler or a permanently installed underground sprinkler system. You can find either type of lawn sprinkler at eBay or at local home centers and hardware stores.

Portable Lawn Sprinklers

There are several types of portable sprinklers, and each type is best suited to certain lawn shapes and landscape configurations. The simplest type is the sprinkler hose, which is suitable for long, narrow areas. The sprinkler hose contains tiny holes along its top side which emit a fine, soaking mist. The other four lawn sprinkler variations are attached to garden hoses:

A turret sprinkler consists of multiple sprinkler heads which spray circular or rectangular patterns of varying widths and lengths.
An oscillating sprinkler features an oscillating spray bar which evenly douses a rectangular area. The spray bar can be set to water both sides of the sprinkler or either side of the sprinkler.
A pulsating sprinkler sprays water in a circular pattern with an adjustable arc of coverage.
A traveling sprinkler waters a long, rectangular area, using its hose to guide and track its direction of travel.

Lawn Sprinkler Systems > Landscape Irrigation Systems

Although mechanical and electronic timers are available to control the watering cycles of these portable sprinklers, many homeowners prefer the convenience of an automated lawn sprinkler system. Underground sprinkler systems, which consist of a timing unit plus a network of water pipes and sprinkler heads buried in the ground, are becoming more popular in many areas. The automated timer opens and closes water valves at preset times. When the valves open, water pressure in the system causes sprinkler heads to pop up above the ground and spray water on the lawn in overlapping coverage areas. When the valves close, the sprinkler heads drop down level with the lawn surface. In climates where ground temperatures drop below freezing, the water pipes must be drained to prevent them from icing and bursting.

Several types of sprinkler heads are used to ensure adequate irrigation of the lawn and adjacent landscape areas. Spray heads send a steady shower over a small area. Impulse heads shoot water jets from a rotating nozzle over a larger area. Both types come in plastic or more expensive brass versions, and both types are also available in special purpose standing heads which do not "pop up" but are situated above ground, next to a foundation or at the edge of a yard, for instance.

Lawn Sprinkler Supplier Locator

Lawn Sprinkler Manufacturers

Nelson Lawn Sprinklers
Offers lawn sprinklers, irrigation, and landscape products for home, lawn, and garden.
www.LRNelson.com
Hunter Lawn Sprinklers
Features a full line of irrigation products for turf, landscape, and golf courses.
www.HunterIndustries.com
Toro Irrigation
Lawn sprinklers and irrigation equipment for residential, commercial, and golf applications.
www.Toro.com
Rain Bird
Leading supplier of commercial, residential, golf, agricultural, and drip irrigation systems.
www.RainBird.com
Gilmour Gardening Innovation
Manufactures a wide range of watering tools for lawns and gardens.
www.Gilmour.com
Mister Landscaper
Find microsprinkler and drip irrigation kits, fittings, and tubing.
www.MrLandscaper.com

Landscape Irrigation Resources

Landscape Irrigation Tutorials
How to install sprinkler systems and drip systems for lawns and landscapes.
www.IrrigationTutorials.com
HowStuffWorks.com - Sprinklers
Technical overview explains how oscillating sprinklers work.
www.HowStuffWorks.com

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