Sprinkler or Drip System - Edumacateify me!

[RWebb]

my backyard is down hill a ways from the street - no way to get machinery down there (except by crane)

[john70t]

You might want an anti-siphon valve, to keep hose/yard material from getting into the house.

Also, a electonic smart cutoff, in case of leaks during winter.
PVC cracks easily.

[thingmon]

Code is often a vacuum breaker like this:

Febco Backflow Pressure Vacuum Breaker Assemblies for lawn sprinkler and irrigation systems.

#of heads per zone is based on pressure and flow a cheap pressure gauge and a bucket test (amount of flow over time) can be used to get these data pts. Measure at peak use times (morning showers, etc...) for worst case numbers. Calculations for long pipe runs may need to be adjusted to account for pressure loss over distance.

Vibrating plow style 'pipe pullers' and poly pipe are ideal. Somewhat less pressure loss and much less soil disturbance.

In freeze prone areas, it's a good idea to install an NTP connection near the water source so you can hook up a compressor to blow the system out.

Always get a utilities identification company to come out and mark your lines. Neighbors get annoyed when you cut off their cable and phone and it's amazing the flame you can get from cutting a natural gas line.

I installed systems for a few summers when I was in college. It is fun unless you have clay soil, big old trees or lots of rocks. Speaking of trees, be careful not to destroy the roots!