DIY pop-up sprinkler system
Installing a DIY pop-up sprinkler system with Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant voice control
“Alexa, water the garden for 10 minutes”…is now the amount of effort it requires to water your garden with a smart sprinkler setup! Speech recognition software leveraging artificial intelligence has now been integrated into many of our home devices and it is a wonderful technology that will enable you to voice control many aspects of your home. When combining this technology with your DIY sprinkler setup, you can now water the garden simply with your voice. Aside from being very satisfying, installing a sprinkler system can have several benefits such as ensuring that your garden consistently and reliably receives the appropriate amount of water that it needs to flourish as well as reducing unnecessary waste or damage from over-watering.
This blog post will interest you if you are interested in installing your own DIY pop-up sprinkler system, as it provides a step-by-step guide on how to do this. It also explains how you can automate your DIY sprinkler system by linking it to one of your voice-activated home devices, such as Amazon Alexa & Echo, Google Home & Nest, or Apple HomePod (Siri). I have created this “how to” guide based on my own DIY sprinkler system project and have summarised the research that I conducted for this project. I hope that you find this blog post helpful and informative! This blog post covers:
- How to measure your water pressure and flow rate
- Design considerations for your DIY sprinkler system
- Choosing the right sprinkler for your needs
- Placement of sprinklers for optimal performance
- Increasing water pressure and flow rates (if needed)
- Testing your DIY sprinkler system
- Considerations for burying your system
- Choosing and installing a Wifi voice-controlled water timer
- Review of the top 8 Wifi watering controllers and timers
1. Measure your water pressure and flow rate
I recommend that you start your DIY project by measuring the water pressure and volumetric flow rate from the water source that you intend to use. These measurements are important pieces of information as they will indicate which sprinklers and system design will best suit your available water source. It is important that you do not skip this step as you will require these measurements to help with future calculations. Too little water pressure or flow and your sprinklers will not pop up or have poor coverage. Too much water pressure or flow and your sprinklers may mist up and fail to achieve even coverage. Thankfully, both the water pressure and flow rate are easy to measure with limited cost.
Water pressure can be measured in units of BAR, kPA, water column meters, Atmospheres and PSI… where 1 BAR = 100 kPA = 10m water column = 0,987 Atmospheres = 14 PSI
To measure your water pressure, fit a pressure gauge onto your outdoor tap or water supply and then open it to achieve maximum water flow. This will measure your static water pressure. While doing this, make sure that all other taps in your home are turned off. It is also helpful to measure pressure at your anticipated watering times e.g. first thing in the morning and late evening, as your water pressure can fluctuate throughout the day. This one from Neish Tools fits both round and square domestic taps as well as various domestic appliances, which makes this one more versatile for future use. Typically, a house is running happily with a 2-bar feed from the mains line, although pressure can vary from 1 bar to 3.5 bar depending on your mains connection and plumbing.
The flow rate is the quantity of water passing through a point during a specific unit of time. It is typically measured in litres per minute (l/m) or meters cubed per hour (m3/h)
To measure your flow rate, you can use an empty 1-liter Coca-Cola bottle, 10-liter bucket, or any container where you know its capacity. Simply time how long it takes for your water source to fill up the container and then convert these measurements into the unit size that you require. For example, if a 10-liter bucket takes 20 seconds to fill up, the flow rate is 30 litres/m (10 liters / 20 seconds * 60 seconds = 30). An intensely flowing garden tap could be delivering approximately 17–20 litres/m. Now that you have measured your water pressure and flow rate, you now understand your baseline water source constraints which will help you to design an effective DIY sprinkler system. Both your water pressure and flow rate measurements will help you to select the most appropriate sprinklers for your needs. When reviewing your sprinkler options, you may discover that either your water pressure or flow rate is insufficient and that you need to increase these (how to do this is discussed later).
2. Measure your watering area
Now that you understand your current water source, the next step will be to understand your desired watering area. At this point, it can be helpful to create a scale plan drawing of your garden to understand the shape and size of your watering area. A scale plan and these types of measurements will aid you with deciding on the type and number of sprinklers to buy, where to position them as well as to calculate the length of piping that you will need to connect your sprinklers together. Sprinkler manufacturers typically indicate the area covered by their sprinklers in metres², therefore having an estimate of your watering area in metres² can aid you with choosing the best sprinkler for your project.
3. Choosing a sprinkler to meet your watering needs
For optimal watering performance, you will need to choose a sprinkler that is appropriate for your watering needs. The right sprinkler for you will depend on the overall size and shape of your garden as well as match the specifications of your water source. It’s important to keep in mind the pressure and flow rate you are working with, although these can be increased or decreased using pressure pumps and water tanks in order to meet your exact requirements (more on this later). Prices for sprinklers can range from £2 ($3) and £40 ($50) per unit, depending on the specification, quality, and manufacturer. Companies such as Rainbird, Claber, Gardena, and Orbit, are specialist manufacturers with a solid reputation for delivering high-quality products. These brands are usually a good place to start your search for the right sprinklers.
Four important considerations when choosing sprinklers include the water pressure and flow input requirements, coverage arch (e.g. 360°, 90°) and coverage radius i.e the maximum watering distance from the sprinkler head…
For my system, I have chosen sprinklers from the Claber Colibri Micro-sprinkler range, as they operate at a lower water pressure and flow rate as well as offer great value for money. These sprinklers are specifically designed for small to medium domestic DIY systems and overall, I think they are excellent value for money and would recommend them to others. They operate at a minimum pressure of 1.5 bar and a flow rate of 4 litres/m, 2.9 litres/m or 1.7 litres/m depending on the coverage arch — 360°, 180° or 90°. These input requirements make them well-suited to the average domestic water source without the need to adjust water pressure using pumps or flow rates using water tanks, reducing the complexity and cost of your DIY system.
4. Thinking about sprinkler placement
For the best performance, many professional irrigation specialists would recommend adopting what is called a “head-to-head” sprinkler placement design. A common design flaw of many DIY pop-up sprinkler systems is a lack of head-to-head design, which can result in dry spots, under-watering, and over-watering. One of the characteristics of circular or radial sprinklers is that the area covered is not watered evenly and less water is typically delivered the further you move away from the sprinkler head. Therefore, to achieve even watering, it is often recommended that you add a return sprinkler, which just touches the outer radius of the first. As per the image below, it is recommended that you position 90° sprinklers in the corners, 180° sprinklers along the perimeter, and the 360° sprinklers in open spaces.
5. Connecting your sprinklers
In terms of the sprinkler connection layout, a common question is how many sprinklers can be connected together in a series. Unfortunately, there is no single answer to this as the number of sprinklers you can connect using a single water source will depend on the available water pressure and flow rate as well as the length and design of your piping. That said, below shows some general principles for piping layouts.
Connecting your sprinklers with the appropriate piping is another important design consideration for you. A common flaw in DIY sprinkler installations is the use of incorrect pipe sizes, specifically, using pipes that are too narrow, which can negatively impact the performance of your system. For example, using narrow pipes (under 20mm diameter) over longer distances may result in large pressure losses, resulting in a low watering radius or worse — the gear drives (rotors) on your sprinklers stop rotating due to insufficient pressure. This sort of pressure loss is known as ‘friction loss’ — when water flows through a pipe, a certain amount of pressure is lost due to the friction between the water and the pipe. Factors affecting the amount of friction loss include the diameter, length, and material of the pipe; as well as the water flow rate and temperature. The pipe diameter is a factor that you can easily control through your choice of piping. It can be tempting to undersize your pipes in order to save costs, but this could be a false economy if you find that your system is not performing as expected. Calculating your anticipated friction losses can be an important exercise to carry out — before purchasing components — to avoid experiencing pressure-related problems at a later point.
Generally speaking, the further the distance the water has to travel the larger the pipe size you will require…the pressure loss in a 1/2' pipe is 5 times higher than that in a 3/4' pipe. You will loose roughly 10 PSI per 100 meters in a 1/2 inch poly pipe…
Some principles to help here include:
- Use the largest possible pipe diameter for your water feed and connecting sprinkler pipes. Smaller pipe diameters are accompanied by larger and more significant pressure loss across the system.
- The greater the number of connections and constrictions, the greater the pressure losses will add up across your system. Where possible, reduce the number of connections and constrictions.
- Constrictions closer to the start of your water pipes have a greater impact on pressure loss than constrictions closer to the sprinkler heads, therefore, keep constrictions are close to the sprinkler heads as possible.
6. Increasing your water pressure and flow rate
Your initial water pressure and flow rate measurements will indicate whether you will need to adjust these values to support the system you have just designed. Unless you are selecting a low-pressure, low-flow rate design — such as Claber’s Colibri system — it’s likely that you will need to increase both of these parameters in your DIY home installation.
To increase water pressure, a decent water pump is a straightforward way to achieve this. For my installation, I used a recycled 2.6 bar shower water pump to increase water pressure. I installed the pump in a water-tight brick shed near the main water source so that the pump would be protected from weather damage and receive adequate ventilation.
To increase the flow rate, you will need to either 1) increase the flow from your mains supply or 2) increase the availability of water during a watering cycle, relative to what is available from your mains source. In other words, you will need to invest in a water tank large enough to supply one watering cycle. This tank would then need to be refilled at the end of each watering cycle, ready for the next one. Thankfully, for my system, I already had a sufficient flow rate to my sprinklers.
7. Building the plumbing
When it comes to the piping and connections I have used polyethylene pipe or “poly pope” which is also branded as PEX or PE-X. This piping is lightweight, extremely durable, easy to manipulate and install as well as “freeze resistant” for the colder winter months. Brands such as Floplast, Plumbsure, John Guest, and Polyplumb all offer push-fit “plug and play” type connections which makes installation very quick and easy. You simply have to cut your PEX pipe to your desired length, apply the pipe insert and push it into your connection or valve.
In terms of connecting the sprinklers to the main water supply line, a swing-joint riser or flex-pipe is a favorable way to connect your sprinklers. The benefits of using these swing joints include easier sprinkler maintenance and replacement as well as protection from impact or earth movement. If you have the budget, they are a great component to add to your sprinkler system. The cheapest swing joint I could find online is manufactured by Hunter Industries and costs only £3.50 per connection from Amazon. Because I am on a limited budget for my design, I have decided to use a standard poly pipe with a 1/2" threaded connecter to connect my sprinklers to the water supply line.
8. Testing your system above ground
Many sprinkler system manufacturers and installation experts suggest that it is advisable to test your system above ground before burying your system. This will make it easy for you to easily identify and troubleshoot any problems that might come up. A common problem includes too much to too little pressure which is something you would want to discover before your pipework and sprinklers are buried!
9. Burying your system
Trenching water lines are definitely the most labor-intensive part of building your sprinkler system and it is hard work! The ideal tools for the job are a lawn edger, a small spade, a hand trowel, gloves, and something to temporarily store your soil. According to the irrigation expert, Grounded Landscaping, the most common problem they encounter in home irrigation systems is inadequate trenching. Because it is labor-intensive, they say that it is often neglected. They advise that pipes should be trenched to a minimum of 400mm (15.8 inches) below the surface. This is to help avoid accidental punctures of the pipe and therefore lower maintenance costs in the future. Not only does trenching your lines to a 400mm depth protect the pipes from accidental damage, but it also ensures that they are buried below the frost line — the point at which the ground freezes. That said, installing further anti-freeze protection may also be worthwhile considering.
Take time with your trenching to get it right first time. Frost protection may add additional cost to your system, however, it is your insurance policy against burst pipes…
Adding a drainage valve at the lowest point of each irrigation line is a good way to add frost protection. Doing this means that when the circuit is closed and no water is circulating, the valve automatically opens to release residual water, which otherwise may freeze and potentially damage the hose. When water flows through the hose, the drainage valve automatically closes so that the system can pressurize.
10. Install a Wifi voice-controlled watering timer
The final step in building your DIY sprinkler system is to choose and connect a Wifi enabled wireless water timer which has the capability of linking to your Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, or Google Assistant device. When it comes to choosing a Wifi enabled system, you are spoilt for choice as there are several major product manufacturers with competing products.
For my system, I used the LinkTap G1S, which is a single-valve system that can be attached to a garden tap and can be easily controlled with Alexa and Google Assistant. Based on my personal experience as a customer, I would highly recommend this product, and both the G1S and G2S have strong customer ratings on Amazon. That being said, there are plenty of options for you to consider and LinkTap might not be the optimal choice for you. Below, I have summarised the main positive and negative aspects of 8 available Wifi enabled watering controllers on Amazon. I hope that this helps you with your own deliberations!
- LinkTap G1S and G2S (£105-£145, Alexa, Google, IFTTT)
- Rainbird ESP-TM2 controller & LNK2 WiFi module (£350, Alexa)
- Gardena Smart Water Control (£270, Alexa, Google, Apple Siri, IFTTT)
- Orbit B-hyve Smart Controller (£235, Alexa, Google)
- Eva Aqua Smart Water Controller (£130, Apple Siri)
- Orbit B-hyve 21004 (£100, Alexa)
- Diivoo Smart Irrigation Sprinkler Timer (£60, Alexa, Google)
- Johgee Smart Sprinkler Water Timer (£45, Alexa)
(1) The LinkTap G1S and GS2
LinkTap is a technology company dedicated to creating innovative and reliable smart watering solutions for gardens and landscapes. I used the G1S for my project and personally, I found the product quick and easy to set up, the instructions were clear and I was activating my sprinklers within 5 minutes using the mobile and web application, and voice activating them within 15 minutes using Amazon Alexa. I got a family member to test this activation when they were in a different country, and it worked, so you can truly control this device anywhere in the world where there is an internet connection! The G2S model is the same as G1S but includes a range of real-time notifications on flow rate, water usage, fault detection, cut-off water supply detection, and leak detection.
Positives:
- It is easy to set up (it took me approximately 5 minutes).
- Supports integration with Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT.
- Easy-to-use mobile app for Android and iOS as well as a web-based application to control and monitor your watering cycles.
- Longer-range wireless connectivity for large properties.
- The tap has a 2-year battery life so low maintenance.
- The tap has a rugged IP66 waterproof design, comes with a 2-year warranty, and is built to last.
Negatives:
- No native support for Apple HomeKit.
- A single valve is limited to only two watering zones, therefore, limited watering area, although the Wifi gateway can be linked to multiple valves, so you could control multiple devices from a single app.
- The system does not have rain or moisture sensors although does have a “Rain Skip” function which checks your local weather conditions a few minutes before your cycle begins. If it has recently rained or is forecast to rain, the cycle will skip. You can fully calibrate this threshold.
- Higher initial cost — at £105 for the GS1 and £145 for GS2, it’s not the cheapest option but also not the most expensive.
(2) Rain Bird ESP-TM2 Controller paired with LNK2 Wifi Module
Rain Bird is a highly respected and globally recognized leader in the irrigation industry, consistently delivering innovative and sustainable water management solutions since its inception in 1933. The LNK2 enhanced Wifi control module is Rain Bird’s latest wifi control option which can be paired with the ESP-TM2 and ESP-Me control units. This is one of the most expensive solutions available on the market, but also one of the most reliable and sophisticated retail systems available.
Positives:
- Easy setup with lots of dedicated tutorials and support from Rain Bird.
- Remote access and control via mobile iOS application (Andriod soon).
- Easy linking with Alexa for voice control with a dedicated setup guide.
- Weather-based watering adjustments for efficient irrigation.
- The module can support large irrigation systems and watering areas.
- Firmware updates are available automatically via Wi-Fi.
- The controller can be easily integrated with Rain Bird’s suite of products such as rain, moisture, and flow management sensors.
Negatives:
- No native support for Google Assistant or Apple HomeKit.
- The LNK2 Wifi controller requires a compatible Rain Bird controller, which is sold separately and is an additional investment on top of the Wifi controller cost.
- Limited to existing Rain Bird ESP-TM2 and ESP-Me systems.
- Is not a tap-based system i.e. it does not link directly to your tap and the system requires the purchase of a separate valve to control water flow.
- High cost — at £350 for both the TM2 and Wifi controller, this is one of the most expensive retail systems available, although Rain Bird has a proven track record for manufacturing high-quality, reliable products.
(3) Gardena Smart Water Control Set
Gardena is a renowned German brand specializing in garden and lawn care products. The Gardena 19103–20 Smart Water Control Set is a comprehensive solution for managing garden irrigation systems through the Gardena smart system app.
Positives:
- Can be integrated with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and IFTTT.
- Integrates easily with other Gardena products for a unified garden management system (if you are already / planning to use Gardena).
- The product comes with a free easy-to-use mobile application for iOS and Android as well as a web-based application for remote control.
- Durable, weatherproof design as well as a lithium-ion battery for long-lasting performance.
- The system allows for weather-based watering adjustments for efficient irrigation and water conservation.
Negatives:
- Higher initial price compared to other tap-based smart water controllers. At £269, it is the most expensive tap-based system.
- Limited to Gardena’s smart system ecosystem for integrations.
- Some customers have reported that the setup process and app interface are less intuitive than they were expecting.
(4) Orbit B-hyve Smart Sprinkler Controller
Orbit is North America’s premier company for residential watering and is a leading manufacturer of innovative and high-quality irrigation products for residential and commercial applications. The Orbit 57985 B-hyve XR Smart 8-Zone Sprinkler Controller is Orbit’s latest generation Wi-Fi-enabled irrigation controller designed for indoor and outdoor use. It is designed to provide users with an intelligent and efficient way to manage their garden watering systems.
Positives:
- Easy setup and control through the B-hyve app for Android and iOS.
- It is compatible with Alexa and Google Home for voice control.
- Strong Wifi connection — the system utilizes a 2.4 & 5 GHz dual-band connection as well as high-powered, long-range radios giving the XR a stronger signal connection and fewer disruptions.
- Supports up to 8 watering zones for customizable irrigation schedules.
- Mains power supply so no need to change the battery.
- Indoor and outdoor installation with a weather-resistant enclosure.
- High-definition touchscreen display for easy on-device control.
Negatives:
- Higher price compared to the 6-zone B-hyve model and other options.
- Is not a tap-based system i.e. it does not link directly to your tap and the system requires the purchase of a separate valve to control water flow.
- Some Amazon customers have reported that they find the app interface less user-friendly compared to competitors.
- Some Amazon customers have indicated that product support could be improved.
(5) Eve Aqua Smart Water Controller for Apple Home App or Siri
Eve Systems is a company specializing in smart home products designed exclusively for the Apple ecosystem. The Eve Aqua is a smart water controller that allows users to control their irrigation systems natively via the Apple Home App or Siri.
Positives:
- Seamless integration with Apple HomeKit and voice control using Siri.
- Quick and easy setup process using an iPhone or iPad.
- Automatic shutoff feature to prevent overwatering.
- Durable and weatherproof design.
Negatives:
- Exclusively compatible with Apple devices.
- No support for Android or other smart home platforms.
- Limited to one watering zone.
- Requires a Home Hub (Apple TV, HomePod, or iPad) for remote access.
(6) Orbit B-hyve 21004
Orbit is a leading manufacturer of innovative and high-quality irrigation products for residential and commercial applications. Their dedication to providing efficient watering solutions has made them a go-to brand for many homeowners and professionals alike. The Orbit 21004 B-hyve Smart Hose Faucet Timer is a Wi-Fi-enabled timer designed to bring smart watering capabilities to standard hose faucets, offering users an intelligent and efficient way to manage their garden watering needs.
Positives:
- Easy setup and control through a mobile app for Android and iOS.
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control.
- Weather-based watering adjustments for efficient irrigation and water conservation.
- Durable and weather-resistant design for reliable outdoor performance.
- Manual watering option for on-demand irrigation without a smartphone.
Negatives:
- No native support for Apple HomeKit.
- Software updates are approved for North America only.
- Some Amazon customers have reported that they find the app interface less user-friendly compared to competitors.
- Some Amazon customers have indicated that product support could be improved.
(7) Diivoo WiFi Water Timer
Diivoo is a technology company offering smart home devices and solutions. The Diivoo WiFi Water Timer is an irrigation controller with two watering modes, providing users with flexible and efficient garden irrigation options.
Positives:
- Easy setup and control through a smartphone app.
- Two watering modes for customizable irrigation schedules.
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control.
- Weather-based watering adjustments for water conservation.
- Affordable price compared to similar smart controllers.
Negatives:
- Limited to one watering zone.
- No support for Apple HomeKit.
- Requires a stable Wi-Fi connection for optimal performance.
- No physical buttons for manual control.
- Some users may find the app interface less intuitive.
(8) Johgee Smart Sprinkler Water Timer with Wi-Fi Hub
Johgee is a Chinese company specializing in smart home and gardening products. The Johgee Smart Sprinkler Water Timer is a Wi-Fi-enabled irrigation controller that provides users with intelligent and efficient garden watering solutions.
Positives:
- Cheap — at £45, it is the cheapest Wifi enabled controller I have found.
- Easy-to-use smartphone app for remote control and scheduling.
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control.
- Weather-based watering adjustments to save water.
- Supports up to 8 watering zones.
Negatives:
- No native support for Apple HomeKit.
- Limited customization options compared to other smart controllers.
- Some users may find the setup process challenging.
- Some Amazon customers have reported that the device is not as waterproof as expected, leading to poor performance.
- Some Amazon customers have reported that the device has failed, resulting in flooding or consistently running water.
Links to manufacturer's websites: LinkTap, Rain Bird, Claber, Gardena, Orbit, Eve Aqua, Diivoo.
