Step 2: Make the water connection

making the water connection when installing an in-ground sprinkler
Photo: Brian Smith
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Turn off the water to the house at the meter.

Cut into the main water line and splice in a tee fitting with PVC cement and primer. If the line is copper, solder on a copper tee.

Glue a 90-degree PVC elbow onto a male PVC adapter.

Thread the adapter into the tee fitting installed on the main water line. It's okay to connect PVC to copper here.

TIP: If you are uncomfortable with this step, call in a professional plumber to tap into the main line for you.

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    More in Yard & Garden

    Tools List

    Close
    • pvc pipe cutter
      PVC pipe cutter
    • 100-foot tape measure
      100-foot tape measure
    • trenching shovel
      Trenching Shovel
    • trenching machine
      Trenching Machine,
      rents for about $75 a day
    • adjustable pliers
      Large adjustable pliers
    • utility knife
      Utility knife
    • tongue-and-groove pliers
      Tongue-and-groove pliers.
      for tightening threaded PVC fittings
    • ratcheting screwdriver
      Screwdriver,
      for installing the wall-mounted timer

    Shopping List

    Close
    1. DRIP IRRIGATION TUBING

    2. MARKER FLAGS

    for marking sprinkler locations before trenching



    3. FLEXIBLE PIPING

    connects sprinklers to PVC pipe



    4. 3/4-INCH AND 1-INCH PVC PIPE

    5. ASSORTED PVC FITTINGS

    6. GROUND STAKES

    to secure drip-irrigation tubing



    7. ASSORTED SPRAY NOZZLES

    8. POP-UP SPRINKLER

    9. PVC CEMENT AND PRIMER

    10. ZONE VALVES

    11. VALVE BOX

    for housing the valves



    12. BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE

    keeps irrigation water from flowing into home’s water supply



    13. GRAVEL

    for spreading under the valve box



    ] 14. BARK MULCH

    for covering the drip irrigation tubing