If you’re planning on installing an irrigation system, there are many different types of sprinklers to choose from. When shopping for a sprinkler, consider the size of the area you want to water. Also, think about your soil type. Clay soil tends to need longer watering sessions at lower rates while sandy soil is more likely to need frequent but smaller amounts of water. While this can all be overwhelming, it’s important to understand which one is best for your specific needs.
Fixed Spray Pattern
A fixed spray pattern sprinkler is one of the most common types of sprinkler heads. These heads spray water in a fixed pattern, typically a full-circle shape. This type of head is the best choice for irrigating smaller areas, such as flowerbeds and small garden plots. They also work well for watering narrow beds or compacted soils.
Fixed spray pattern heads are available in many different spray patterns and can be used in a variety of situations. Some spray head nozzles feature a field adjustment screw that can be used to fine tune the radius of the spray pattern. This is helpful for preventing spray from reaching sidewalks, driveways, or lawn edges.
Rotating Head
A rotating head sprinkler is one of the most common types of watering heads. These spray heads rotate as they spray to maximize the effectiveness of a gear-driven water application, and they typically come with a wide array of spray patterns. These spray heads are a great option for large lawns or landscapes, and they’re especially beneficial when you have a lot of ground to cover.
The most common use of a rotating control head is to shield rig floor formations from the release of well fluids during underbalanced drilling applications (e.g., air or gas drilling with a permeable formation). Other applications include workovers involving the use of nitrogen and H2S in areas where monitoring is not required, and flow drilling (also called producing while drilling) to exploit coal-gas methane.
Impact Rotor
Impact sprinklers are generally used for large areas and can cover very large yards and still deliver a good watering coverage. They are also a very efficient form of irrigating if properly fine tuned. However, they can sometimes be a bit jerky when moving so they’re not always a great choice for smaller lawns.
Gear-Driven Rotating Head
A gear-driven rotating head sprinkler is an excellent option for covering large areas of landscape. It also offers less impact vibration than a standard spray head. It can also be adjusted to a wider radius than a standard spray nozzle without changing the nozzles. These rotor sprinklers can be used on athletic fields, commercial lawns and more. They provide more coverage distance than a spray sprinkler and are often promoted by water conservation agencies.
Squirt Sprinklers
A favorite for kids, squirt sprinklers are wind-resistant and feature adjustable jets. They also lower water pressure and flow rate, making them a good choice for medium-sized lawns. Squirt sprinklers can be installed in any area of the yard and usually cycle through to provide complete coverage. They’re recommended for oddly shaped yards, front and back of the house and hilly areas. As an added bonus, they typically feature an automatic shutoff valve to save time and energy.
Stream Sprinklers
Stream sprinklers are an effective way to water slopes and uneven terrain throughout your yard. Stream sprinklers are typically more cost-efficient than traditional pop-up impact sprinklers and can save 30% of your water bill while delivering the proper amount of water to healthy landscape plants. Stream sprinklers are also less likely to drift from wind than spray heads which can reduce irrigation efficiency and wasteful runoff. They can also deliver water slowly, allowing for more time for plants to absorb the water.