There are two basic types of sprinklers for residential use: large area rotors and small area sprinklers. Large area rotors should never be installed on the same zone as small area sprinklers.

1. Large area rotors will cover areas that measure 25' by 25' and larger.

2. Small area sprinklers are typically used in areas smaller than 25' by 25'.

Within both of these groups are pop-up sprinklers which are installed even with the grade, and riser-mounted shrub heads, which are installed above grade.

This 25' by 25' measurement is not a hard rule, rather it is a guideline. The only consideration restricting the size of the area in which spray heads (small area sprinklers) can be used is economics. If a large area rotor can be used, it usually means less pipe, fewer valves, and a smaller controller will be required to complete the job.

Courtesy of Hunter Industries Inc.