pop-up irrigation

Pop-up irrigation is a generic name for sprinklers that pop up when running and then retract after watering. There are three main types; pop-up heads, pop-up spray nozzles and rotor heads

A pop-up irrigation system is best suited for moderate size home lawn areas (larger than 7 to 10 feet wide up to 30 to 45 feet wide) and irregular or curvilinear areas.

The spray pattern of a pop-up head depends on choosing nozzles to water quarter-circles (90 degrees), half-circles (180 degrees), or full circles (360 degrees). A few manufacturers offer a variable arch nozzle. However, don't use adjustable nozzles where a fixed nozzle would work, as the pattern predictability of the adjustable nozzles is not as good as that of fixed nozzles.

Pop-up spray nozzles are most common in 10, 12 and 15 feet radius and in quarter-circle, half-circle and full circle. A pop-up spray nozzle can usually be adjusted down about 30 percent, using the nozzle's adjustment screw. So a commonly available 10-foot nozzle can be reasonably adjusted down to 7 feet. Any greater adjustment would significantly distort the pattern, resulting in poor application efficiency

Rotor heads are best suited for larger lawn areas, greater than 30 feet wide. The rotor-type head has a typical radius of 30 feet up to 90 feet in some commercial-line heads.

The spray pattern depends on the head. Many can be set at any angle from 15 degrees up to a full circle. Some are adjusted at 15 degree increments. Others are designed for quarter-circle, half-circle or full-circle.

Additionally, some specialty patterns to handle narrow rectangular turf areas are available, (often called end-strip, centre-strip, or side-strip nozzles). However, nozzle performance is not as predictable or as uniform compared to quarter-circle, half-circle or full-circle nozzles.

Pop-up irrigation systems work best with water pressure at 30 to 40 psi. Although, this may vary when using rotor heads that often require pressure at 40 to 50 psi. The water pressure at some homes can be significantly higher and an inline pressure regulator will be needed. A sprinkler producing a mist cloud around the head is a common symptom of excessive pressure. This not only wastes water but also can give a distorted distribution pattern and lead to increased maintenance problems.