Most homeowners don’t realize this…

You can spend thousands hiring out an irrigation system — and half the time, the pro isn’t doing anything you can’t learn yourself over one good weekend.

If you’re ready to save money, avoid rookie mistakes, and actually understand how water behaves in your yard, stick around. If you’re impatient and can’t sit still for 30 minutes to learn something important… this probably isn’t for you.

This is Part 1 of the ABCs of DIY Irrigation Installation. If you want to watch the video, check it out right here: DIY Irrigation Installation ABCs: What You MUST Know Before You Start (Part 1) on YouTube

Next week we’ll hit Part 2.

💧 Step 1: Do You Even Need a Sprinkler System?

Here’s the truth — not every landscape needs a full irrigation setup. Where Maestro and I live here in northern Maine, less than 5% of yards have them. Too much rain. Too many trees. And honestly… folks here don’t have lawns big enough to justify it.

But many of you do need irrigation, especially:

• In hot, dry, or windy climates (Southwest)

• In new subdivisions with zero shade

• On large lots

• On yards with brand-new sod

• On DIY landscapes with plant beds that dry out fast

So before you dig anything, decide:

Is irrigation a requirement? Or just a luxury?

If it’s a requirement, keep reading.

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If you’re new to landscaping and want the basics laid out simply, grab my Landscaping Simplified eBook.

It’ll save you HOURS of frustration out in the yard.

👉 https://www.youryardcoach.com/landscapingsimplifiedebook

🏡 Step 2: Measure Your Square Footage + Plan Your Coverage

I’ve preached this for years across every part of landscape planning — measure first.

Don’t eyeball it. Don’t guess.

For this example, we’ll use a hypothetical 1,000 sq ft lawn.

Your job:

• Measure the area

• Sketch it

• Identify where your water source is

• Determine where your valves will sit

• Buy bundles of colored flags (each color = a different head type)

This is how you layout:

• Spray heads

• Rotor heads

• Impact heads

• Drip zones (in Part 2)

🔁 The Overlap Rule (Most DIWyers Get This WRONG)

Every nozzle has a printed number, like:

• 15H = 15 ft half circle

• 12Q = 12 ft quarter

• 15F = 15 ft full

Those numbers are suggestions, not law.

Real-world rule:

Subtract 3 feet from whatever the nozzle claims.

• 15 ft nozzle → treat it as 12

• 12 ft nozzle → treat it as 9

Why?

Because the edge of a spray pattern is weak, misty, and inconsistent — especially in windy climates. Your overlap is what creates even, healthy turf. This is one of the biggest mistakes new DIYers make.

🧰 Step 3: Build Your Parts & Pieces List

Once your lawn is flagged, you can estimate:

• Number of heads

• Type of heads

• Number of tees, elbows, risers, swing joints

• Pipe length

• Valve count

• Fittings & connections

Pro tip:

Buy more than you think you need. Every irrigation installer in the world has made emergency runs for two more elbows or one more swing arm. Buy extra → return what you don’t use. Trust me. BONUS: My favorite parts come from Rainbird (not sponsored)

🚿 Step 4: Understanding Your Water Supply (Pressure + GPM)

This is the part nobody wants to learn — but it is the entire backbone of whether your system will work or fail. You need two numbers:

1. PSI at the faucet (pounds per square inch)

2. GPM (gallons per minute)

Typical ranges:

• 35 PSI (low)

• 50–60 PSI (ideal)

• 90 PSI (rare, high)

A standard ¾” house spigot usually gives you 9–10 GPM.

A 1” stub-out gives around 13 GPM.

More GPM = more heads per valve = fewer valves = less money.

If you’re on a well system:

• Look at your pressure switch rating

• 65/45 is ideal

• Larger yards may require 1½” or even 2” plumbing

For our 1,000 sq ft example? You’re fine with a ¾” or 1” setup.

🔥  Ready to Actually Learn How to Design Your Yard?

If you’re planning a full landscape project — start to finish — my digital course Homescape 2.0 walks you through EVERYTHING. It’s the closest thing to having me standing in your yard coaching you through the build. 👉 https://www.youryardcoach.com/diy-landscape-course

🔩 Step 5: Pipe Choices — PVC vs Poly

PVC

• Comes in Schedule 40 or Class 200

• More rigid

• Common in warm climates

• Glued with primer + cement

• Not forgiving when the ground shifts

Polyethylene (Poly)

• Comes in rolls

• More flexible

• Great for cold climates

• Uses compression fittings (no glue spills!)

If you live in freeze country, Poly is your friend.

🔧  Step 6: Tools You’ll Need

Don’t overthink this. You need:

• Trenching shovel

• Round-nose shovel

• A trencher (rent one — don’t be a hero with a pickaxe)

• Knee pads or a garden pad

• PVC cutters / poly cutters

• Back support if you’ve got a touchy lower back

• Valve box for protection

• Flags and measuring wheel

If you can rent a mini-excavator with a trenching bucket, even better.

📉 Step 7: Friction Loss (The Hidden Pressure Killer)

Hydraulics 101:

Water loses pressure every time it:

• Travels through pipe

• Makes a turn

• Splits at a tee

• Goes up a slope

That loss is called friction loss. To counter it:

• Start with 1” pipe

• Reduce to ¾” mid-run

• Reduce to ½” at the last couple heads

This keeps pressure somewhat consistent down the line. If you skip this step? Your last two heads will dribble like a bad drinking fountain.

🏁 Quick Recap

In Part 1 we covered:

• Determining if you need irrigation

• Measuring + planning

• Overlap (your new religion)

• Parts & pieces

• PSI + GPM

• Pipe types

• Tools

• Friction loss

• Head types

• Valve math

Next week (in Part 2), we’re diving into:

• Drip vs spray

• Zones

• Efficiency

• Water budgeting

• Installation tips

• Practical tricks pros use daily

👇 When DIY Isn’t Enough

Some yards are simple. Some yards fight you the entire way. If you:

• Have a big property

• Have slopes

• Have tricky pressure

• Are overwhelmed

• Are designing a full landscape

• Or want someone to double check your layout

Then skip the guesswork and let me help you: 1-on-1 Video Consultation 👉 https://www.youryardcoach.com/yard-coach-consultation or On-Site Landscape Consulting 👉 https://www.youryardcoach.com/on-site-landscaping-consulting

I can save you hours, mistakes, and money — fast.

🌿 Start With the eBook

If you’re serious about getting your landscape right the first time, start here: 👉 Landscaping Simplified eBook https://www.youryardcoach.com/landscapingsimplifiedebook

It lays the foundation for EVERY project you’ll ever do.

PS - Every yard has potential. Most homeowners just need a plan.

👉 Read Part 2: Irrigation Installation ABCs for Successful DIY Install (Drip, Beds & More)

Related Topics:

DIY Irrigation • Sprinkler System Installation • Lawn Irrigation Design • Irrigation PSI & GPM • PVC vs Poly Pipe • Friction Loss in Sprinklers • Sprinkler Head Overlap • Residential Irrigation Tips