Residential lawn irrigation is usually performed with the help of sprinklers—but which types of sprinklers are available, and which are best for your Burlington County, NJ yard? Understanding the difference between sprinkler types can help you choose the right kind for your specific lawn care needs. While you can always count on the experts at Star Sprinkler Systems Inc. to explain and install the available options, this overview of sprinkler types should help you narrow down your choices.

Automatic vs. manual

Your first major decision will be between automatic and manual sprinklers. Automatic sprinklers operate on a timer: you set the schedule and duration, and your sprinkler system will take care of the rest. This is especially great if you have a busy lifestyle or tend to go out of town often.

Manual sprinklers require you to turn the sprinklers on and off by hand. This isn’t really a hardship, but if you’re easily distracted and forgetful, it can be easy to let the water go too long. Automatic sprinklers are almost always the better choice for the majority of homeowners.

Sprinkler types

Next, you can choose between these sprinkler types:

• Rotary sprinklers: Rotary sprinklers are the most popular choice for large lawns, since a single sprinkler can cover up to 180 feet in diameter. They come in three main types: impact, gear-driven and stream sprinklers. All three types are good for clay soil—it takes longer to distribute the same amount of water, so the soil has plenty of time to soak the water up. Impact sprinklers are the noisiest and most high maintenance of the three, and are now considered “old-fashioned.” Gear-driven sprinklers continuously spray water in a turning pattern, while stream sprinklers spray rotating simultaneous streams.
• Oscillating: This type of manual sprinkler sends water through a rotating bar with holes in it. It’s usually hooked to a garden hose and can be moved to different parts of the yard as necessary.
• Fixed spray: Fixed-spray sprinklers do not move, unlike rotary and oscillating sprinklers. If you plan to use these, you’ll need to install them strategically around the yard for maximum coverage. They can be manual or set on an automatic timer, too.
• Misting: Misting sprinklers offer gentle water coverage. They’re great for flowerbeds that would be damaged by the high-powered streams from rotary sprinklers. However, the streams don’t extend very far, making them unsuitable for watering large lawns. You can, however, use these in conjunction with rotary sprinklers to ensure each section of your lawn is appropriately watered.
• Pop up: Finally, pop-up sprinklers are hidden when not in use. When they come on, they extend out of the lawn and can spray up to 15 feet. These are great when you want to avoid aesthetically displeasing sprinklers or tripping hazards.

When you need expert sprinkler installation in Burlington County, NJ, the team at Star Sprinkler Systems Inc. can get you set up with the perfect system for your lawn. Call us today to learn more and schedule an appointment.