Homeowners who have just planted a lawn may find it daunting to select a type of sprinkler head from the variety available on the market. This article discusses the major differences between the two common types of sprinkler heads. Use this information to select the appropriate type for your lawn.
Spray Sprinkler Heads
Spray sprinkler heads do not rotate as they irrigate your lawn. They remain fixed in their position and just discharge water in a predetermined pattern, such as in a half-circle. This type of sprinkler head has several advantages. First, it can discharge a larger amount of water in an area quickly. This is because the sprinkler head constantly discharges water in the same area. Secondly, this type of sprinkler head is ideal for small areas. This is because its "throw" (the distance or radius covered by the discharged water) is smaller than that of other types of sprinkler heads. Their smaller nozzles make them very good for homeowners who would like to conserve water as they irrigate their lawns.
However, the small nozzles of these sprinkler heads make them prone to frequent clogging. You will also need to buy more sprinkler heads if you have a large lawn to water. They are also not good to use on slopes because most of the water that they discharge is likely to pool in at the bottom of the hill.
Rotor Sprinkler Heads
Rotor sprinkler heads rotate as they discharge water. This rotation enables them to discharge water over a larger section of the lawn. Additionally, rotor sprinkler heads usually have larger nozzles that reduce their likelihood of clogging up. You will need fewer sprinkler heads for your lawn if you opt for this type of sprinkler head.
However, you will take more time to water the entire lawn fully. This is because the rotation of the sprinkler heads increases the time needed to irrigate a particular spot fully. The rotor sprinkler heads also require higher water pressure in order to rotate as they discharge water. Some homeowners may need to install a pump in order to attain that desired water pressure in case the municipal water supply gets to the home at low pressure.
As you can see, each type of sprinkler head has its own positives and drawbacks. It may therefore be hard to use only one type for your lawn. Talk to a provider of irrigation supplies about the right mix of the different sprinkler heads so that your lawn will be adequately irrigated during droughts.
Share