Where to Tap Into for Irrigation System?


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Old 04-17-16, 09:50 AM
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Where to Tap Into for Irrigation System?

I'm planning on installing an irrigation system in my front lawn. I have two points I can see being a viable option to tap into.

On the south side of my home is the main water supply, not sure if I'm even allowed to tap into that.

On the East side, is one of the two water lines leading to the outside for the hose. I think I can tap into that, however I read somewhere that in cold climates, it won't work.

Which made me wonder, well if I tap into any line, unless I go below the frost line, it's going to be a problem.

What is usually done by professionals?

I have another source for water also on the south side, however it's where the garage, driveway, and patio are. It would be very destructive to run a line from there to my lawn.

Thanks for any help in advance.
 
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Old 04-17-16, 12:01 PM
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Don't know if you have a meter but the ideal place is to connect just after the meter where the line is the largest. If you connect to a smaller line on the other side of the house you will be lacking water pressure.

You won't be able to keep all the sprinkler lines low enough to avoid freezing. What's done is at the end of the growing season.... the water is shut off inside the house and all the lines are blown out with air.
 
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Old 04-17-16, 01:24 PM
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Don't know if you have a meter but the ideal place is to connect just after the meter where the line is the largest.
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I have that meter, and another in my basement, I believe you are talking about this.

You tap after the meter not before right.

Is it difficult? Or doable, don't want to mess up the main supply to my house.
 
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Old 04-17-16, 01:30 PM
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That's your gas meter. Take a picture of the one inside.
 
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Old 04-17-16, 01:48 PM
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Well it's a good thing I didn't start hacking away at it LOL

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Old 04-17-16, 03:52 PM
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You can add a second valve after the main one. Use a ball valve for longer operation.

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Old 04-17-16, 04:16 PM
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Now a question about the pipe. The location of the water meter is on the north side of the house, about 30-40 feet away from where I'd have the first sprinkler set up.

With that being said, let's assume I make the second connection using copper pipe, I'd break the concrete foundation wall to allow the pipe through, but now it's exposed outside. I doubt I can then bring that copper line underground that 40 feet, correct?

Even with PEX, can I run it underground?

I'm guessing after the water supply is outside, there is another system that connects to the irrigation system.
 
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Old 04-17-16, 04:38 PM
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I don't know what the Canadian Codes are but here in the States a dual check backflow preventer valve is required. That would need to be addressed first.

If possible.... I'd run the pipe thru the basement and exit near where it's needed outside.

Once the pipe is outside it gets connected to a manifold and then to your zone valves.
 
 

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