Different Types of Sprinkler Heads for Your Nashville Lawn

There are a variety of options when it comes to sprinkler heads, and getting familiar with the different styles will help you decide what works best for your landscape irrigation system.

Concealed Sprinklers

Many permanent concealed sprinkler systems use pop-up heads. This type of spring-driven mechanism ensures that the head pops above the grass only when the water is turned on. The sprinkler head then withdraws beneath the lawn’s surface so that the system is safe from potential damage due to lawnmowers and other lawn activities. Concealed pop-up heads typically adjust to spray in a pattern from 10 to 45 feet wide and provide 1-2.5 inches of water coverage per hour.

Rotary Sprinklers

Rotary sprinklers use an adjustable spray setting that shoots a stream of water in a circular pattern. The two main types of rotary sprinkler systems are gear-driven and impact models.  Gear-driven sprinklers utilize water pressure and internal gears to rotate the nozzle as it sprays. One advantage of gear-driven models is that they tend to operate more quietly than other systems. Impact sprinklers have a spring-loaded mechanism that controls the turning direction of the nozzle and helps it spray evenly. Rotary sprinklers designed for residential landscaping usually spray 20-40 feet while commercial systems can spray as far as 90 feet from the sprinkler head. These sprinklers deliver between 0.25-0.5 inches of water per hour in their designated area.

Micro-Irrigation (“Bubblers”)

Also referred to as spot irrigation or bubblers, micro-irrigation sprinkler heads are a great choice for watering individual plants and garden beds. You can install these near the root systems of plants for continuous drip irrigation to smaller areas of landscaping. These sprinkler heads deliver water that soaks the soil in areas smaller than 5 feet in diameter, making this system ideal for planters, shrubs, and tree wells.

To find out more about the best type of sprinkler system for your middle Tennessee home or business, contact the irrigation professionals at the Parke Company. Call us today at 615-350-6033 to schedule a licensed irrigation specialist to visit your home.