Sprinkler/Irrigation Install, How hard?

[atgreene]

I have a lawn install coming up. The customer wants a sprinkler/irrigation system installed in the rear lawn that I did last year, and in the front that we plan to do this year.

So how hard is a system install? I'm looking for decent stuff, low maintenace, good quality. I don't want a maintenace nightmare and the customer would prefer to pay for top-notch and not have any issues.

I, however, have no clue and am debating if I should just sub it out. The owner is going to call me if there is any issues, so I would like to know enough about it to deal with anything wrong, as well as maybe handle the fall blowdown.

Should I just sub it or are they easy to do?

What brands are good to deal with?

Is there enough mark-up on an install to make it worth learning how to do it?

[OSCLandscaping]

Alan,

The residential systems are pretty easy to design and install. I have done a few myself and we have a pretty large system here at the shop and apartment complex.

If it is something you would like some help with let me know and I will be more than glad to work with you on this.

John Deere Landscapes by the jetport, used to be Lesco, has everything right in stock, I have an account there so I could pick up whatever you need.

[atgreene]

Thanks, I'm completely new to this, so I need to be talked off the ledge if I'm about to do something foolish.:popcorn2

I'm just thinking that if this summer is going to be slow I may as well do the install myself.

[OSCLandscaping]

They really are simple for the most part, water supply, timer, backflow preventor, pipe, wire and heads.

Handyman in Portland rents pipe pullers and they are pretty easy to operate.

[atgreene]

I'll be needing all the help I can get if I decide to do it. I'm just starting to research this online.

[Pickering Snow]

Alan

I would take Rodger up on the help and set up. My brother Steve did Irr for about 5 yrs when i was still funding that Div of the company, i know he used Nelson stuff and some Toro, i paid for a school or at least my checkbook said i did.

[stargazer]

Thanks, I'm completely new to this, so I need to be talked off the ledge if I'm about to do something foolish.:popcorn2

I'm just thinking that if this summer is going to be slow I may as well do the install myself.

I've never even seen one, but I maintained and installed sections of well over a mile of plumbing where I used to work, either shallow or above ground (summer use only).

The biggest cause of failure was was freezing in low spots in winter. Be sure to pitch the piping and add drains where needed. Air bleeds at high points are very helpful also.

Plastic pipe doesn't break right off, but anywhere there is a dip water will tend to collect. Even if you blow the pipes, residual water and condensation will collect in a low spot. The yearly freeze cycles gradually weaken the pipe till it finally leaks. Finding the leak is more difficult than carefully pitching the piping in the first place.

Make sure to open to the air any check valves or fittings and valves with built in check valves when you do drain the system.

My two cents. Remember, I know nothing about these systems or what they put in for fittings. But I do know that lots of stuff is designed for more southern climates than we have here.

[John DiMartino]

Alan,I built and installed several new zones on the system at our golf course,it isnt terribly hard to do,but I would definetely take Rodger up ,and along with his guidance,go ahead and install it.We installed most of our system 18 yrs ago,and nothings failed yet,we blow them out every fall with a 185-360CFM compressor around thanksgiving.
You dont want to dig any lines,just pull them with a vibratory puller. We borrow a Vemeer,and its an animal,will pull pipe thru anything.I learned that the 160PSI poly pipe is worth the cost over the 100PSI,as its much more durable,(this is esp tru with 1 and 1 1/4" diameter in 300 ft pull lengths)although connections are a little harder to make .We use Hunter,Toro,Rainbird,and Lesco sprinklers.Im sure you will do a good job with it.Just do your research first.

[GMC Driver]

We've done a few. Like most have said, it's fairly strightforward stuff. We use Hunter or Rain Bird parts, Irritrol valves and controllers. Use red line poly over white line, it's worth the extra money. For residential systems, red line should be sufficient for the pressures being used.

And a vibratory plow makes quick work of putting in the lines. We've used several walk behind units. We manged to locate one to purchase this off-season, and I'm looking forward to picking it up next weekend.

Alan, you mentioned subbing it out. Just keep in mind that there is annual service work with these systems (spring start-ups, winterizations). Installing it may give cause to you having to provide all these services as well. This may not be all that lucrative to only be required with one system, but as the clientele grows, it can certainly be a good revenue generator.