Adding In Sprinkler Heads

Sometimes if you have a lawn with burn spots it's simply a matter of the number of sprinkler heads and how they are covering the lawn. In my front lawn I have two sprinkler heads trying to water two lawn areas and it’s not working. Video covers how to add in sprinkler heads to a sprinkler zone. Sprinkler zone flow rates and performance along with adjusting Rain Bird rotary VAN nozzles are also covered in the video.
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[@wyatthuber]

These videos were my childhood (I was obsessed with sprinklers when I was young).

[@ezrav.5163]

I am still obsessed with sprinklers, and I'm 18. I love irrigation and lawnwork

[@packetattack7437]

These are really the best heads. I replaced all my pop ups with the RVANS. Apart from not needing any tools to adjust the distance and pattern, you can also flush them out by pulling up hard on the nozzle. Really well thought out, they make other nozzles look antiquated when it comes to ease of adjustment and cleaning.

[@Iscaper]

The RVAN nozzles by Rain Bird are my favorite nozzles also. I get a lot of comments from neighbors on how cool they look.

[@trentwood1449]

I like their look, but the RVANS didn't perform well enough for me. Even with 10 more psi than recommended a single head on my line couldn't throw water even 13 feet fully opened (I first used the PR45 body which regulates, then shut off all other heads and switched out the PR body. Pressure reading at the nozzle was 55psi unregulated and flowing.). It was rated for 13-18 feet. Cool design, didn't perform to it's specifications in my case.

[@DirtygardenCA]

@@trentwood1449 why not step up to the 17-24, the red r-vans are the best, even with low pressure.

[@tracyr5594]

amazing results. I just bought a bunch of these heads and am retrofitting my existing fixed arc simple heads. they are really fun to watch.

[@jeffthewhiff]

What a difference the extra water makes when watering your lawn, Cary! My lawn usually turns brown in July and August and then slowly and then greens-up toward the fall.

[@Iscaper]

My lawn does this also. It's mostly Kentucky bluegrass and bluegrass tends to go dormant in hot summer months.

[@jeffthewhiff]

@@Iscaper Okay, thanks for the information, Cary!

[@artordonez9323]

Nice video. Appreciate you spending the time developing and publishing this video.

[@thricecrazy33]

my favorite nozzles... they are the best!

[@stevenshmerler3191]

I've watched two of your videos and really appreciate your time. I need to extend to a new head from the last head as opposed to moving the head. I'm trying to figure out how to do this since the pipe ends into the last head and I need to create a T so I can install a pipe to the new last head.

[@Iscaper]

Remove the head and nipple from the PVC threaded fitting (I'm assuming it's 1/2"), thread a SBE-050 barb elbow into the fitting. Next attach funny pipe to the barb, cut at one foot and insert a funny pipe tee (Rain Bird SB-TEE). Thread a SBE-050 into original head and run funny pipe back to this head. Attach funny pipe to other end of tee and run funny pipe to new head.

[@pappydc12]

I'm moving to a new home and planning to put in a sprinkler system. The more I learned the more complicated it seemed...until I found your channel! Subscribed- thanks!

[@Iscaper]

Thanks for subscribing.

[@codybakerousucks3926]

The Rain Bird R Van nozzles have installed on a couple of properties have shown me good results. The only downsides with these nozzles is that they get clogged up very easily if they are deep in the ground. I know there is the flush feature on them and they do respond. but then they get clogged up again. One has already failed and it won't flush anymore when i pull up on it.

[@frankminer4061]

Saw a an evaluation video where they put the Rain Bird, Hunter, and Toro’s all thru the hard paces with sand & dirt. The Hunter MP Rotator won hands down. I’m a Rain Bird guy, but want to try the Hunter MP’s.

[@matthewhowell8287]

Fantastic video, thank you.

[@johnmontana18]

Those quick connections break. I had one that did.

[@heroknaderi]

Very Cool and detaild info. Now if the pipe was 1/2 inch what would be your alternative solution. Just curious.

[@Iscaper]

It gets tricky with 1/2" pipe because it only delivers 5-6gpm (gallons per minute). Usually you either have to add in more sprinkler valves at the manifold, or use sprinkler heads that you can nozzle down so they use 1-2gpm.

[@heroknaderi]

@@Iscaper oh I see. I plan on doing this to my sprinkler system too it has nine stations and the main supply is 3/4?in and the lateral (Zone lines) are all 1/2 in. I feel I can nozzle them down like you said and get by with the pipes I already have. My static pressure is 60 psi. You could also do a video whenever you have time about number of heads per zone. I appreciate your feedback. I might add an extra zone if I need to. Your videos are always so informative 😎

[@Iscaper]

@@heroknaderi It's hard to give advise without seeing how your current system is configured. If you want to send me a sketch I'd be happy to help. Show me head placement for each sprinkler valve and distances. My email is [e-mail]

[@heroknaderi]

@@Iscaper hi Kerry I emailed you a sketch of my yard and zones including the sprinkler heads. Now you can send me back a sketch of your suggested areas to relocate sprinkler heads.😎👍 and for the valves I couldn’t find them because they are buried

[@dominickle6677]

This is some nice looking soil, at my house we have clay grass grows, but barely, and its super hard to dig.

[@Iscaper]

Clay soil is miserable to grow anything in.

[@iceveiled]

Did you do anything else as far as re-seeding grass over the trenches you dug or did the dug up parts you replace fill in automatically over time? I was surprised with how full the grass looked at the end. Love your videos btw.

[@Iscaper]

When digging down to the sprinkler pipe, try to remove the soil and sod in complete sections. Lay the sections next to the trench where they came out. After doing the repair/work try to replace the sections in the reverse order that you took them out. Water the repaired area with the sprinkler so the replaced sections don't dry out. After a week or so you will hardly be able to tell where repair/work was done.

[@mr.rogers1962]

When you are cutting sod for a trench cut the side and just flip it over so you only have to lay it back down not in pieces

[@johnfrank2217]

leaving the drass roots exposed to the sun...is NEVER a good idea...

[@mr.rogers1962]

@@johnfrank2217 I was the landscape contractor for over 20 years the sword can be flipped over 4 days it will be just fine just causing a lot of extra work

[@lauracampa1838]

He doesn’t care. I would have even used a tarp to lay it on. More tidy.

[@jdaniels1911]

The Hunter MP nozzles would have been a better choice they have less flow rate and would allow more options

[@user-22-]

Very nicely done!

[@a-veteranlandscapesitework2413]

great video thank you.

[@TommyTT71]

Great tips...thanks

[@chardi7]

Your channel is awesome. Moved into this house a couple years ago and realized the prior owner “FUBAR’d” the sprinkler design. Your videos are really helping me fix the problems. Thank you!!! Quick question how far can you run funny pipe? Just wondering about loss of pressure. I am trying to move from over watering my flower beds and under watering the lawn with RB5000’s to the R-van heads hitting just the lawn and a drip system for the beds. Thanks again!!!

[@Iscaper]

I've run funny pipe up to 25' with no problems. Be sure not to exceed the flow available in funny pipe which is 5-6 gpm (gallons per minute).

[@daveanderson6994]

😂 No. T T. 😅. A. 🎉😂w 😊😊🎉🎉😂🎉f. 😂

[@jhongmanila738]

Looks easy. I just build a water pond in my front yard, I don’t know what happened I just followed what you said in the video.😥😩

[@fayedyousef]

Did you not turn off the water

[@BenjaminGib]

Beautiful!

[@melerickson4341]

The house I live in has a homemade system. It has 1/2" pipe in the whole system as far as i know. Should I replace with 3/4.

[@Iscaper]

3/4" piping would be better, but will be expensive to do.

[@mikemaynard3107]

Been completely redoing all my sprinklers down here in Florida and also added a new zone. Your videos have helped a ton. Are you using the 4in 1800 series spray heads?

[@Iscaper]

Yes, 1804 is the part number.

[@Eric.Mercado]

I thought funny pipe shouldn't be used any longer than 1' to 1 1/2? For reasons of flow reduction and durability ?

[@Iscaper]

As long as your sprinkler heads don't exceed the flow (4-6 gpm) funny pipe will deliver, you can run it longer lengths.

[@LivnTex]

Awesome video. Thank you.

[@Iscaper]

Glad you liked it!

[@Rhodes19]

I love your videos

[@Iscaper]

+jaxondawg 05 Thanks, I appreciate the feedback.

[@AlabanzasyAdoración7]

What's the name of the tool you use to cut the pipe?

[@Iscaper]

It's a PVC pipe cutter. Cutter in the video is a Wheeler Rex model 5290.

[@BE2001]

Is there a way to know if my irrigation system can support another head? My irrigation runs off of a well. All of the components are buried. I don't currently know the GPM or pressure of my system.

[@Iscaper]

A rough guess would be if your pipe size is 3/4" you could use 9-12 gpm. If I remember right most sprinkler/well pumps deliver around 50 psi. Add up the gallons per minute used by your sprinkler nozzles and see if it falls in the 9-12 gpm range.

[@BE2001]

@@Iscaper Thank you so much for the helpful response. So cool that you reply to messages on videos from 6 years ago. Thanks again!

[@johnfrank2217]

by the book.....3/4 inch pr 160 pipe will carry apprx. 11.8 gallons before building up turbulence.....there is another variable...thrust...as not to confuse the people attempting this with minimal knowledge of hydraulics...go with the 11.8 number......a centrifical pump will generate 35 psi at free flow.....a jet pump will generate 45 psi at free flow....as per the rainbird nozzles you use....at the irrigation supply houses.....these nozzles gather dust on the shelves

[@Iscaper]

@@johnfrank2217 Thanks John for the good information. I don't use the rotary nozzles on other people's yard because they're tricky to adjust. I like how the look on my yard.

[@JakeCraftChannel]

How do you know if it is the last sprinkler in the line?

[@samadabdul1242]

follow the zone from ground box. Furthest from the box should be the last. Or dig and find out.

[@josephbarringer6439]

Nice man thank u

[@maximus20895]

Two heads was not near enough for that lawn, especially being sprays. How do you like the rotaries?

[@Iscaper]

+Max W. I love the rotary nozzles. I get a lot of comments from people walking their dogs past the yard on how cool they look.

[@maximus20895]

Awesome. I plan I using them in a future sprinkler system. I really like your videos, they are very informative!

[@Iscaper]

+Max W. Thanks Max.

[@gbrianmullinax8448]

is there a maximum length of run for funny pipe?

[@Iscaper]

I've run it up to 25' with no problems. Be sure not to exceed 5-6 gpm (gallons per minute) in flow.

[@gbrianmullinax8448]

iScaper1 Thank you. I really enjoy your videos.

[@Alarmo05221]

Maybe the reason why the full circle spray heads were in the wrong spot was probably because a long time ago, the walkway did not exist but was changed later

[@Iscaper]

Good point, you could be right.

[@Alarmo05221]

@@Iscaper I guess when they (if) put the walkway in, they forgot to move the heads or something. My upper lawn near the pool had misplaced heads in the beginning, one head was slanted and was not watering the lawn anymore because the 2 inch head there before was removed or something, so I used funny pipe to move the head and replaced it because the head there was broken. Another misplaced head was a 180 degree near the center of the lawn, so I capped that one off and fixed the arc of one of the spray heads since it was a 45 degree in a 180 degree spot (why)

[@Iscaper]

@@Alarmo05221 Thanks for the information, I guess a lot of times the yard gets updated but the sprinklers don't.

[@codybakerousucks3926]

Why does it half to be 3 quarters inch instead of half inch. Is is because of flow

[@johnkosheluk1041]

Kerry how do you like those van nozzle

[@Iscaper]

So far the R17-24 rotary VAN nozzles are working great.

[@noahmartin8199]

Where do you buy the rotary nozzles?

[@Iscaper]

Any Rainbird dealer or sprinkler supply.

[@BellyUpFishGarage]

Do you have a tried and true method to locate the last head in a zone?

[@Iscaper]

Nothing tried and true. I would try locating the valve box, fire up the zone and see which head pressures up last. Also, last head is often furthest from valve.

[@BellyUpFishGarage]

I'll give that a shot. I am thinking about adding a sprinkler head or two to a zone.

[@buddhaVSkafka]

Would the rubber funny conduit decay?

[@Iscaper]

I've used funny pipe for 25 years and have never had a problem with it.

[@mcuevas2]

Where could I buy the funny pipe?

[@derekb4505]

Home Depot or Lowes… they have all the barb fittings and tees you will need.

[@pappydc12]

At roughly 5 min in...can you not make the 3/4 x 1/2 tee work without using the quick fix section? The quick fix piece is necessary?

[@Iscaper]

It's much easier to use the quick fix coupling because it telescopes out to fill the gap between the pipes. The other more time consuming option is to expose enough of the pipes that they can be lifted in order to add a piece of pipe and a slip coupling.

[@Adam-dn5oc]

Alternatively you could use a 3/4" x 1/2" PVC Snap On Saddle and drill through the 1/2" piece (after the primer/glue have settled) to avoid having to do any cutting or slip fix.

[@noeeon9910]

@@Adam-dn5oc those snap on saddles leak..

[@jdaniels1911]

Never remove the blow off caps until the heads are installed they are there for a reason

[@almas7123]

Sir why did you use funny pipe and not pvc pipe?

[@Iscaper]

I could have used either one, but in this application it was easier and faster to use funny pipe.

[@almas7123]

iScaper1 👍🏼, thanks

[@samadabdul1242]

its more flexible as well compare to pvc and also you buy the funny in a roll of upto 200ft which makes transporting this much easier than pvc.

[@JEK]

because it's so much easier

[@-mejor-que-nostradamus-6152]

Good job but you have a problem, your sprinkler system has not pressure, not good watering, because too much sprinklers in only “One Zone”.

[@Iscaper]

On this sprinkler zone I have 3/4" PVC Schedule 40 pipe with 80 psi pressure. That gives me 9-12 gpm (gallons per minute) of flow available if I keep the velocity of the water in the zone around 5 fps (feet per second). If I add up the flow of the Rainbird R1724 VAN nozzles I'm using in this zone, it adds up to a little under 10 gpm. So you're mistaken when you say I have too little pressure and too many heads.

[@MAGAMAN]

How can you tell what his water pressure is from watching a video?

[@adamfinley5992]

@@Iscaper great answer love your knowledge and patience and yes how can you tell water pressure from watching this video

[@karlk2737]

Worst sprinkler heads on the market ..

[@JEK]

nope

[@BRISTOLFORCE2009]

@@JEK yep

[@Alarmo05221]

@@BRISTOLFORCE2009 I bought one without the nozzle and it had a busted riser or something because it leaked, so I bought a 1800 replacement for the failed 1800 and it works fine. The heads are decent, and the nozzles I am using which are RVANS work fine, and no they do not rotate so fast on my use, they use a similar speed to the MP Rotator

[@DirtygardenCA]

@@BRISTOLFORCE2009 nah

[@BRISTOLFORCE2009]

@@DirtygardenCA I changed my mind awhile back actually