What to Expect During a Sprinkler System Installation (Start to Finish)

A typical residential sprinkler system installation in Northern Colorado takes 1-3 days from first trench to final walkthrough. The process includes a site visit and design, utility locating, trenching, pipe and head installation, controller wiring, and a zone-by-zone test. Your yard will have trenching lines visible for a few weeks, but they fill in fast.

Here's the full process, step by step, so there are no surprises.

Step 1: Design and Planning

Everything starts with a site visit. We walk your yard, measure it, and talk about what you want. This is where we figure out:

• Zone layout. Your yard gets divided into zones based on sun exposure, slope, plant types, and soil. South-facing areas need more water than shaded north-facing spots. Slopes need different head types than flat ground. Flower beds need drip, not spray.
• Head placement. We map out where every head goes to get full coverage. The goal is head-to-head coverage, meaning each sprinkler throws water all the way to the next one. No gaps, no dry spots.
• Water supply. We check your water pressure and flow rate to figure out how many heads can run on each zone. This determines how many zones you need. Low pressure means more zones with fewer heads each.
• Controller location. Usually in the garage. We'll figure out the best spot for the controller and where to run the wire.

This takes about 30-60 minutes on-site. You'll get a detailed proposal with a zone map within a day or two.

Step 2: Locate Utilities

Before we dig a single trench, we call 811 (Colorado's utility locating service). This is free and required by law. A locator comes out and marks all underground utility lines with colored flags and paint:

• Red: Electric
• Yellow: Gas
• Blue: Water
• Orange: Telecom/cable
• Green: Sewer

This usually takes 2-3 business days after we call. We won't start any digging until every utility is marked. Hitting a gas line or fiber optic cable is no joke. This step is non-negotiable.

Step 3: Trenching and Pipe

This is the part where your yard looks like a construction zone. I'll be honest: it gets messy for a day. Here's what happens.

We use a vibratory plow or trencher to cut narrow trenches (about 3-4 inches wide) across your yard. Trenches run 10-12 inches deep for main lines. The machine pulls up a strip of soil and sod along each path.

We lay Schedule 40 PVC pipe for the main supply lines and lateral lines. PVC is strong, affordable, and lasts decades in the ground. Connections are solvent-welded (glued) for a permanent, leak-free seal.

Funny pipe (flexible poly tubing) connects the rigid PVC to each sprinkler head. This gives the heads flexibility to absorb impacts from foot traffic, mower wheels, and soil movement.

For most residential yards, trenching takes the better part of a day. If your yard has a lot of concrete walkways, mature trees, or tight access points, it takes longer because we have to hand-dig around obstacles.

Step 4: Heads, Valves, and Backflow

With the pipe in the ground, we install the components:

Sprinkler heads go in at every marked location. Spray heads for small areas, rotors for large lawn sections, drip tubing for beds and gardens. Each head gets set to the right height so it sits flush with the soil (just barely visible when retracted).

Zone valves get installed in valve boxes, usually grouped together in one or two locations. Each valve controls one zone. They're wired back to the controller so each zone can be turned on and off independently.

The backflow preventer gets installed on the main water supply line, usually near the side of your house or garage. This is required by Colorado code and prevents irrigation water from getting into your drinking supply. It's the metal device with test ports that sticks up about 12 inches above ground.

Step 5: Controller Setup

The controller (the brain of the system) gets mounted in your garage or wherever we agreed during the design phase. We run low-voltage wire from the controller to each valve.

Programming includes:

• Setting up each zone with the correct run time based on head type, soil, and sun exposure
• Scheduling watering days that comply with your town's watering restrictions
• Seasonal adjust settings so you can easily dial water up in July and down in September
• Smart features if you went with a Rachio, Hydrawise, or similar controller (weather adjustments, rain skip, app setup)

We walk you through how the controller works, how to run a manual cycle, and how to adjust things seasonally. We'll also make sure the app is set up on your phone if it's a Wi-Fi controller.

Step 6: Final Walkthrough

This is the most important step. We run every single zone with you and walk the entire yard.

We're checking for:

• Full coverage on every zone (no dry spots, no gaps)
• Correct spray patterns (nothing hitting the house, fence, or sidewalk)
• Proper head height and alignment
• No leaks at any head, valve, or connection
• Backflow preventer functioning correctly
• Controller running all zones as programmed

If anything needs adjusting, we do it right then. You don't sign off until everything is right.

How Long Does Installation Take?

Most residential installations take 1-2 days. A straightforward yard with 5-6 zones on a standard lot can often get done in a single long day. Larger properties, complex landscaping, or systems with 8+ zones typically take two days.

The first day is mostly trenching and pipe. The second day is heads, valves, controller, and the walkthrough.

What About My Yard Afterward?

Let's talk about this honestly because it catches people off guard. Your yard will have visible trench lines for a few weeks after installation. The strips where we trenched will look different from the surrounding grass. You'll see slight lines or raised soil where the trenches were backfilled.

Here's the good news: grass fills back in. Within 3-6 weeks (depending on the season and weather), the trench lines become barely visible. By the next growing season, you won't be able to tell where they were.

A few things that help the recovery:

• We compact the soil in the trenches to prevent settling
• Water the trench lines a little extra for the first couple weeks to help the grass knit back together
• If sod was cut and replaced, keep it moist so it re-roots
• Avoid heavy foot traffic on the trench lines for the first week or two

Ready to Get Started?

Trailhead Lawn & Irrigation installs sprinkler systems across Erie, Longmont, Louisville, Lafayette, Frederick, Firestone, and Weld County. We'll design a system specific to your property, walk you through every step, and make sure it's running perfectly before we leave. Free estimates. Give us a call.