Home Improvement Outdoors Building Projects

How to Make an Affordable DIY Sprinkler System

Lee Wallender

Updated on 09/06/24

Reviewed by

Richard Epstein

Lawn Sprinkler — Jopstock / Getty Images

Project Overview

Total Time: 2 - 4 hrs
Yield: 1,000 square feet of lawn coverage

Skill Level: Beginner
Estimated Cost: $100 to $200

While a professionally installed in-ground irrigation system is one of the best ways to water a lawn, it's also expensive. Hoses and sprinklers are simple and cheap, but the sprinkler needs constant moving. Another option is a semi-permanent DIY sprinkler system with or without a remote control.

Learn how to make a DIY sprinkler system using a hose or PVC pipe, a timer, and sprinklers that stab into the lawn with spikes—no digging required.

Main Features

With interconnected sprinkler heads and a timer, this DIY sprinkler system has many features found in permanent, underground irrigation systems. Yet because the hoses run above ground, the system is easy to install and requires no trenching.

Part	Purpose	Notes
Faucet	Supplies water for the system.	Should be no more than 20 to 25 feet from the lawn.
Timer	Threads on the outdoor faucet to control water output.	Battery-powered, the timer does not need a GFCI outlet.
Garden hose	Moves water from the faucet throughout the lawn.	Use a 1/2-inch garden hose.
Sprinkler spike base	Stakes 10 to 12 inches into the lawn and holds the sprinkler body.	More than just a spike, this is a flow-through device for the garden hose.
Sprinkler body	Adapts a pop-up sprinkler for above-ground use.	In-ground sprinkler systems use pop-up bodies. This project adapts the same sprinkler body.
Rotator nozzle	Projects water from 90 degrees to just past a semi-circle.	The rotator sprinkler stream nozzle fits into the sprinkler body.

DIY Sprinkler System vs. Sprinkler Kit

On average, most sprinkler system installations go underground, costing $1,600 for more elaborate projects. To buy all the parts and get the permits, inspections, and plans, a DIY project will cost about $1,500 to $2,000.

A simple DIY sprinkler aboveground system can take at least two to four hours to install. Professionals charge at least $50 to $100, so doing it yourself can save you at least $100, often a lot more.

When buying a kit, you still have to install it yourself, but the kit ensures you have all the parts. Kits are convenient, taking the guesswork out of compiling a shopping list. Most kits come with installation instructions to help you get the job done. They can be found online or at home improvement stores. Paying for the parts in a kit may be a little more expensive than buying each part, but the difference is negligible and often worth spending a little more for peace of mind.

Safety Considerations

The sprinkler spikes may penetrate buried electrical, gas, communication, or other vital lines. Call 811 or check online to have your local utility location service mark your property. Also, check your local codes and municipal permitting office.

Equipment / Tools

Plumber's pipe tape
Pliers

Materials

6 1/2-inch flow-through lawn sprinkler spike bases
6 plastic sprinkler pop-up bodies, 4-inch
6 1/2-inch PVC sprinkler risers
6 rotator sprinkler stream nozzles
Dual metal shut-off hose "Y"
2 1/2-inch garden hoses, 15-foot
4 1/2-inch garden hoses, 25-foot
2 1/2-inch threaded hose caps
Sprinkler timer

Plan the System

A 4-inch pop-up sprinkler body casts water about 15 feet and waters a maximum of 700 square feet of lawn. Sprinklers need overlap for full coverage.

With this project, the lawn is 40 feet long by 24 feet wide, for a total area of 960 square feet. Six sprinklers, all on the perimeter, will cover the lawn with sufficient overlap.
Add the Riser to the Spike Base

Wrap pipe tape around the threads of one end of the 1/2-inch riser. Turn the riser clockwise into the top of the sprinkler spike base by hand. Do not use a wrench, as this will flatten threads on the other end of the riser.
Add the Sprinkler Body to the Spike Base

Wrap the riser threads with pipe tape. Turn the sprinkler body clockwise onto the riser as far as it will comfortably go. Turning too far may crack the sprinkler body or riser.
Fit the Rotator Stream Nozzle on the Sprinkler Body

Push the rotator stream nozzle into the sprinkler body until the two pieces are securely attached.
Place the Sprinklers in Lawn

Stake the sprinklers around the lawn:
- Corners: One sprinkler will be placed at each of the four corners.
- Mid-points: Place one sprinkler at the mid-point on the long side of the lawn. Do this on each side.
Attach the Sprinkler Timer to the Dual Hose "Y"

Turn the female-threaded end of the dual metal shut-off hose "Y" onto the male-threaded end of the sprinkler timer.
Run the Hoses to the First Two Corners

Connect one of the 15-foot hoses to one side of the dual hose "Y." Repeat on the other side of the "Y" with the second 15-foot hose. Run each of these hoses to the first two corners of the lawn and attach them to the corner lawn sprinkler spike bases.
Run Hoses to the Mid-Point Sprinklers

Use the 25-foot hoses to connect the corner sprinklers to the mid-point sprinklers.
Run Hoses to the Remaining Corners

Use the last two 25-foot hoses to connect from the mid-point sprinklers to the last two corner sprinklers.
Cap the Last Sprinklers

Turn the 1/2-inch threaded hose caps onto the last two corner sprinklers to prevent the water from flowing out.
Set the Rotator Stream Nozzle Angle

Turn on the water and test the system, adjusting nozzle spray angles:
- Corners: Set the rotator stream nozzle at 90 to 95 degrees on each sprinkler.
- Mid-points: Set each of the mid-point nozzles to 180 to 185 degrees.

Alternative: PVC Pipe Instead of a Garden Hose

Use a 1/2-inch PVC pipe for a sleeker installation that eliminates using a garden hose on the long sides of the lawn. Because the PVC pipe is not threaded, connect the pipes to the threaded sprinkler spikes with 1/2-inch PVC male and female adapters.

Run 15-foot garden hoses from the sprinkler timer's "Y" to the input side of the first two corner sprinklers.
Connect a 1/2-inch PVC male adapter to the output side of the corner sprinkler spike.
Attach a 10-foot PVC pipe to the other end of the male adapter using PVC cement. The PVC pipe runs above ground.
With cement, attach a 1/2-inch PVC coupler to the end of the PVC pipe, then connect another 10-foot PVC pipe to the coupler.
Continue the PVC pipe to the mid-point sprinkler spike using a 1/2-inch female adapter.
Continue in the same matter to the two end corner sprinklers.
Cap the last two sprinklers with 1/2-inch threaded hose caps.

Tip

Ensure that the sprinkler spikes are pushed down far enough so that the PVC pipes can run directly in and out of the spikes at ground level.

DIY Sprinkler System Maintenance

A semi-permanent sprinkler system is easier to maintain than an in-ground system. However, you'll still need to do a few things to keep it in good shape for the long term.

Remove the system in the fall or before winter.
Plug large holes in the lawn.
Drain water from the hoses.
Clean sod off of the spikes.
Inspect the sprinkler bases and bodies for cracking and replace them as necessary.
Remove the batteries from the timer.
Store all items in an enclosed space, like a garage or shed.

When to Call a Professional

If you can't install an in-ground irrigation system yourself, call a professional landscaper or irrigation company to fix it.

FAQ

Which type of irrigation system is the simplest to install?

The easiest irrigation system to install is a garden hose and an attached sprinkler. A more robust yet simple method is to use a 1/2-inch garden hose, a battery timer, and sprinkler spike bases, bodies, and nozzles to create a semi-permanent DIY sprinkler system.
What is the maximum amount of sprinklers you can run on one line?

The maximum amount of sprinklers on one line is about eight sprinkler heads, based on heads that use 2-1/2 gallons per minute at 40 psi.
Which sprinkler system is the most budget-friendly?

The most budget-friendly sprinkler system is a 1/2-inch garden hose attached to a faucet at one end and a sprinkler at the other. One of the cheapest lawn sprinklers is the oscillating sled: the type that waves from side to side.
How often should I water my lawn with a DIY sprinkler system?

Water at least two to three times a week for at least 20 minutes each time. On hotter days or during heat waves, water more frequently.

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