How to Install an Irrigation Controller

An irrigation controller gives you more freedom and flexibility in watering your lawn or garden. Irrigation controllers automate the water flow into your irrigation system, using a timer to open and close the valve at the water's source. The alternative to using an irrigation controller is to hand-activate your irrigation system. Although this may work on a day-to-day basis, an automated controller will help you to continue watering your plants while you are at work or on vacation, as well as providing consistent watering for your flowers and plants.

Backflow preventer
Irrigation controller
Pressure regulator
Irrigation tubing

Instructions

- 1
  Connect a backflow preventer at your water's source using the threaded hose connector. A backflow preventer keeps contaminated water from running back into your pipes and contaminating the water source.
- 2
  Attach the irrigation controller to the backflow preventer by screwing the two together using the threaded hose connector.
- 3
  Connect a pressure regulator to the outflow valve of the irrigation controller using a threaded hose connector. A pressure regulator prevents the controller from releasing too much water into the irrigation system and damaging the irrigation pipe.
- 4
  Connect the irrigation tubing to the pressure regulator using an irrigation tubing fitting.
- 5
  Turn the faucet on just enough to allow the irrigation emitters, soaker hose or drip tape to seep or drip, but not enough to allow the hoses to spray. Set your timer so that the irrigation runs for 30 minutes every other day. Check your soil on the days in between to see if the moisture has penetrated several inches deeply into the soil. Adjust your watering schedule to increase or decrease the time accordingly.

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