SPRINKLER TALK FORUM - You Got Questions, We've Got Answers

Hi, I am so happy to find out this great site! Lots of information for me to learn!

I am in the process of design my sprinkler system. I am in Toronto. My land size is 60x120, with a 3000 sq house in the middle.

I checked the static water pressure is 65 PSI, the pipe size is all the way 3/4" (from water meter to sprinkler system). So I figured the water flow should be at least 10 GPM.

I divided my land to 5 zones, 2 large areas use Rainbird 5004-PC-SAM rotors, 3 small areas uses Rainbird 1804 headers with strip nozzle.

I will tap in the water from garage (marked 'water' in the picture below). I plan to install an inline double check valve for back flow preventer. The valve box (one valve box for 5 zones) will be installed just outside of the garage.

FB stands flower bed in the picture below. I do not plan to have separate zones for the 2 flower beds, as I am hoping the rotors can cover both.

Now my questions, for the main water pipe (tap to the valve box), do I need to use 1" PVC or 3/4" PVC?
for the lateral (from valve box to heads), should I use 1/2" or 3/4" PEX pipe? Do I have to use funny pipe?

Can anyone please give me some feedback on my initial design?


Thanks!!!

Thanks.
Yes, flower beds can have same amount of water as grass.

Any feedback on the zone, head placement?

Quoted from "grey"

I believe mainline should be 1". 1/2" is way too small for laterals as well as 3/4" PEX. I think you should use poly pipe for laterals given you are in freezing climate.As far as size goes there's calculations at irrigationtutorials.com but I will be using 1" poly. I have essentially similar static pressure, GPM and supply pipe size.
Does flower beds require the same amount of water as grass?

Quoted from "Wet_Boots"

Inline dual check valves are not for sprinkler system backflow protection. Once you input your location, specific advice can be given.

I am in Toronto.

thanks

Quoted from "wsommariva"

Don't have to use funny pipe but it makes an easier install. Toro also says that it cushions the heads in high use areas.

As far as the flower beds, if they are mulched any extra water won't cause erosion.

PVB is a good backflow preventer, double check valves aren't. IMHO. If you can install a PVB use unions so you can take it in in the winter.

This one?

FEBCO FEU765-100 1 in. PVB Backflow Preventer w/ Union Ball Valve Ends

I am in Toronto, so I'll have to winterize the system every fall.... and I plan to install the backflow preventer in garage, so still good to use w/ Union ball valve ends or the regular one?

Any feedback/comments on the head placement or selections?

thanks

Quoted from "wsommariva"

PVBs are expensive and I would not leave it in the garage unless it never freezes in there.

As far as head placement my design on paper didn't relate well to reality. And once I finally settled on a plan, I needed to make a couple adjustments once all my heads were in. But now it's great.

Thanks, I don't have other place to put the PVB, garage is the best place for me. Will it be ok I blow out the water from PVB every fall? Still no good?

Also, my head placement looks good (at least on paper?)

thanks