If your climate is cruel enough in the summer to require daily watering of the lawn, and you are tired of standing on the lawn with a hose once or twice a day, or moving a hose-attached sprinkler around the lawn, it might be time to consider installing an inground sprinkler system.

Installing an inground sprinkler system can save you a lot of money in water costs and certainly it can save you a fair amount of precious summer time. But if you think this is an easy do-it-yourself job, you'd be mistaken.

Experts suggest making a clear plan of attack when considering an inground sprinkler system. You need to take accurate measurements, plan for proper tools and make sure you have enough time to complete the project. This is definitely not a Saturday morning job and most certainly may not even be a one-weekend job.

Installation Guides

Most manufacturers of inground sprinkler systems have produced manuals explaining how to fit and install a system, and these guides are available at most home improvement stores. If you are still convinced this is a job you can do yourself, and you might instead decide to hire someone to do it for you, there are a few things to consider.

First check to see if your local municipality requires a building permit for the job of installing an inground sprinkler system; some do. Second, before you dig check for any underground utilities. This is a law, so don't skip this important step. Finally, research any watering regulations in your local area. This will determine how you set up and schedule the watering from your new inground sprinkler system.

To be sure you purchase the right components for your inground sprinkler system, you need to determine your specific needs with regard to: your water service line size; your water flow rate; your water meter size (for a municipal system) or well pump size (for a well system); and your water pressure in pounds per square inch.

Once you know this basic information for your inground sprinkler system, also consider your yard. Where are the trees and how many do you have? What about other landscaping features you need to provide watering for? Keep in mind where the sun shines and for how long each day. With these facets in mind, you'll want to create watering zones. Then you're ready to take your findings to the home improvement store to begin your project.