Planning a New Sprinkler System in Salt Lake City

A new sprinkler system should fit the yard you have and the way you use it. Before anyone digs, it helps to think through lawn coverage, planting beds, the water supply and how you want to manage the schedule.

This guide covers the planning questions. For an estimate and the work itself, visit our Salt Lake City sprinkler installation service.

Walk the property before choosing equipment

Mark the lawn, planting beds, paths and areas you expect to change. Note slopes, shade and places where water already collects. Bring those observations to your installer so the layout reflects your property.

Plan lawn and planting-bed zones separately

Grass and garden beds often need different watering schedules. A system can use spray heads or rotors for lawn areas and drip irrigation for suitable planting beds. Your available flow and pressure help determine how much equipment a zone can operate.

For background, see USU Extension’s irrigation resources and its backyard drip irrigation guide.

Choose controls you will actually use

Ask the installer to explain the controller before the job is finished. You should know how to run a zone manually, change a schedule and pause watering. If you want weather-based adjustments or phone access, discuss a smart controller and its connection requirements.

Ask these questions before installation

• Which areas will each zone cover?
• How will the plan account for water pressure, slopes and planting beds?
• What does the estimate include, and what could change the price?
• Who handles utility locating, applicable permits and backflow requirements?
• How will the finished system be tested, and who will explain the controls?

Review Blue Stakes of Utah’s process before digging. For everyday watering practices after installation, see EPA WaterSense’s watering tips.

Ready to talk through your yard?

Call (385) 226-5764 or text the Salt Lake team. Tell us whether this is a new landscape, a replacement system or an addition to existing sprinklers. We can discuss the next step and arrange a property visit.

See our installation service, other Salt Lake services and winterization service. For other locations, visit the main Sprinkler Master website or Sprinkler Master’s Weber County guide.