Water pressure is very critical when planning to install a sprinkler system in your yard. It determines how far apart your sprinkler heads will be spaced to work properly, as well as the type of sprinkler head that is the best choice for your application. In the United States, water pressure is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI); with the average water pressure for homes and businesses ranging between 30 psi and 50psi. Most sprinkler systems are designed to use water pressure that is around 40psi. The pressure can vary widely from home to home and therefore determining your specific water pressure is crucial to your irrigation plan.
Here are 3 ways to find whether you have enough water pressure to have a sprinkler system installed;
1. Measure your water pressure using a water pressure gauge
You can simply measure your water pressure by using a water gauge attached to an outdoor faucet. Water gauges are pretty much available in any hardware store. This pressure reading is called the static pressure. In other words, this is the water pressure with no water flowing. This tells us what the potential water pressure will be. In order to properly design a sprinkler system, the designer will want to know the dynamic water pressure. In other words, the pressure with water flowing.
2. Call your water supplier
You can also simply call your water supplier and ask them for the static water pressure in your area/neighborhood. If they give you a range of say 30-60psi, note the low number on this range.
3. Determine the elevation of your landscape
You need to determine whether your sprinkler system will be installed at an elevation that is higher or lower than where you will be tying into your water source. If the location is uphill or above the water source, then the pressure will be lower. If the location is downhill or below the water source, then the pressure will be higher. The pressure lost or gained by elevation change is 1 PSI per 2.31 feet of elevation change.
Getting advice from the experts at the Irrigation Outlet is your best bet in ensuring your water pressure questions are addressed fully.
