How to Install an Expandable 3-Zone Lawn Sprinkler (Irrigation) System (Plumbing Tutorial)

An open sprinkler box containing the manifold with three zone valves. Orbit unions where used to attach a pre-built manifold to each of the three Irritrol 2400TF sprinkler zone valves and also to the supply pipe and temporarily to an elbow that attaches to a pressure gauge. I also added a ball valve to shut off water supply to the manifold and another to isolate the quick connect for the air compressor blowout connection.

Note the absence of a vacuum breaker - these are almost certain to cause problems in Colorado in the Spring and Fall, when temperatures drop from above 80F to below freezing, sometimes in a matter of hours. To prevent backflow, I'll be adding an RPZ device in the basement, instead.

Also look for more information on this install, a complete parts list and some helpful hints on installing any home sprinkler system in other upcoming videos.

[TheElevenBravo]

What a fantastic job explaining how you put together a superior system!
Well done, sir, and thank you so much for the awesome video!
-You just made my life much easier.

[noeeon]

Not the way a pro would do it but by far one of the best DIY irrigation systems I've seen.

[mnight]

air port is in the wrong place. It should be after the shut off valve otherwise it backflows into the main water system and you dont want your tap water contaminated. Other than that good video

[mikesahle]

Thank you 🙏 great 👍 assembling system ☝️and it helps 😎👏👏👏

[jmgeraghty]

Why is the shut off downstream from the blowout when you winterize the system, don't you risk the chance of forcing air back into the main rather than the heads. Wouldn't it make more sense to put shut off on the other side of air compressor fitting, then when you force air you shut off main and all air is forced out head direction I've never installed before, I'm just doing my homework now getting ready to do this in the spring and really like how clean this setup is.
Let me ask you this as well, where would you tap off if you plan to have another manifold setup a good distance away, off the manifold or off the main supply

[heroknaderi]

Very helpful. I’m curious will the pressure gauge read the same static pressure at the manifold and spigot

[mathewjoseph]

Its good gig so fsr for me i jus got hooked up a guy from Courtney area we in bc Vancouver Island

[nickthompson]

Hi just have some questions what inch poly pipe are you using, or if the connection is not perfect to your manifold what adapters are you using, and what sprinklers are you using. Thanks I'm looking forward to building my own system but I'm so confused on all the adapters and I don't want to use PVC to connect to my manifold but your video really helps so thanks.

[kennethsilvestri]

Love the fact, that making a mistake isn’t an option here!

[innando]

Might be a dumb question bc I am still researching but this system doesn’t require a pump?

[ramblinman]

My main line comes in on poly and connects to the manifold. Is it possible for me to break the connection and add a shut off and blow out like you have?

[wjackstl]

I wish I had seen your video before I started my project; however, I'm still pretty much on par with what you did. I do have a question though -
I thought about installing 1/2" PVC (for air) to run parallel with my 1 1/4" (water) main. This way, I can pipe it to my compressor in the garage, instead of doing it your way with the quick connects. Any thoughts on this? Thank you in advance for your reply.

[dadli]

Jake, thanks for this, very helpful. What type of pressure gauge and fitting for the gauge did you use? I'd like to install one on my system but can't tell from the video which fittings and the size of the gauge nipple. Thanks again!

[orangutan]

Please help. What irrigation timer model# has on/off time settings but has no limitation or duration on water flow time?

[hmousavi]

Great video! Where is the back flow prevention valve?

[jonathanhetrick]

i am using a well- and only have about 50 psi- i am looking to water a couple acres- how much pressure loss will i loose with a long run and a lot of sprinkler heads- thanks

[SETXthermal]

Your blowout is in the wrong spot. All your going to do is blow air towards your main supply. It should be downstream of your shutoff valve. Major fail.

[billt]

this looks like a pain in the ass for repairs though if one of the valves fail. I just build it myself

[jeffreymelton]

No offense but you wont be able to use the blow out unless you turn your meter off. There should have been a shut off valve before the blow out