Water pump for watering the lawn

Discussion in 'Tools And Equipment' started by Mollydog, May 13, 2025.

  1. Mollydog

    Mollydog Gardener

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    I could do with some suggestions/opinions on what water pump/booster pump I should be looking for, I’m trying to connect 3 sprinklers to work at once

    I would say this goes for most home owners in that the water flow and pressure is good enough for one sprinkler to be ON at any one time.but not any more than that

    For years I’ve been watering the lawn by moving the garden sprinkler from one spot to the next after each 30 minute or one house spell, I was only thinking the other day why not get a pump and then use more than one sprinkler at a time, this way I could water all the lawn well before the sun rises in the morning

    On Amazon (and other online shops) I’ve seen a huge range in specs and types, the most reasonably priced ones I’ve seen are the submersible ones, I have a 1,000Lt water container but can’t see water in it lasting long with some of the pumps pumping 1500Lt per hour or even 3,000Lt per hour

    used with a double check valve, would I be better off with an inline pump connected to the tap post double check valve? I’ve measured both my flow rate and water pressure, flow rate is 7.5Lt per minute both at the tap and at the sprinkler, water pressure at the tap is 3.5 Bar and at the sprinkler (20M/25M from the tap) 2.5 Bar

    If choosing an inline pump/booster any opinions on what to look for? Many thanks
     
  2. JennyJB

    JennyJB Total Gardener

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    Maybe I'm being dumb but I don't think you can increase the flow rate beyond what comes out of your tap (when all other taps in your house are off)? And ours seems to be less at certain times of day - don't know whether that's the water company doing something or just lots of other people using water.
     
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    • Pete8

      Pete8 Total Gardener

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      If you were considering a pump such as one for a fish pond/waterfall I don't think it will work.

      These pumps use an impeller to move the water through a relatively large bore hose, but the pressure isn't enough to force water through through fine holes such as those in a sprinkler.
      An impeller doesn't force the water through the hose, the only phrase I can think of is that it 'encourages' the water to move through the hose.

      My pond has a 7,500 LPH pump feeding a waterfall via a 40mm hose and works fine.
      But if I put my hand over the outlet of the hose there is very little pressure.
       
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      • NigelJ

        NigelJ Total Gardener

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        @Mollydog You need to measure the water consumption of the sprinklers and the minimum pressure for proper operation, this will give you the parameters for the pump. This will also tell you how long your 1000l break tank will last and how quickly you need it to be filling from the house supply. A float valve would be a good idea.
        What is the diameter of the pipe to the existing outside tap?
        I don't know how much water you plan putting on the grass, but if you haven't got one an external water meter might save you a bit as you escape the sewage charge on that water.
         
        Last edited: May 13, 2025
      • ricky101

        ricky101 Total Gardener

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        An alternative way would be to use your 3 sprinklers but rather than connected to one hose, they each have their own hose connected to 3 mains water timers which are set so only one hose is active at a time, so retaining full pressure to each sprinkler.
         
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        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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          I never water my lawn as grass remains shallow rooted and won't cope with droughts. If you don't water grass will push its roots down deeper. It may go yellow in very dry summers but that's natural.

          Same with all my established plants, I don't water or feed.
           
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          • Mollydog

            Mollydog Gardener

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            I had a chat with a local plumbers store yesterday, and as you mention Jenny, I can’t increase the flow with a pump attached to a tap, maybe get one or two millilitres extra, as good as nothing in reality, the biggest restriction (I was told) is the hose pipe diameter, 1/2” hose just not large enough

            Going to try out my 1,000 water tank I have

            [​IMG]

            not sure bertween submersible or inline pump, hope it can manage with 2 maybe 3 sprinklers, would be nice to have my timer I bought from Temu

            [​IMG]

            Come on at 6am and switch off 30 minutes later, with a calculator I worked out with 3 sprinklers the water container should have enough water for 45 minutes, I know it took me just over 2 hours to fill,

            Planing something like this (I’m showing the pump outside as not yet sure which type to go for) using 50mm hose till the splitter then the 15mm hoses to the sprinklers

            [​IMG]

            Would be my luck to have a hose pipe ban just as I get it to work (hose pipe needed to fill the tank)
             
          • waterbut

            waterbut Gardener

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            In American films you see a series of sprinklers set in the lawn. You could always look that up to see how their system works.
             
          • NigelJ

            NigelJ Total Gardener

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            You mean pop up sprinklers like Pop Up Sprinkler Kits | Easy Garden Irrigation
            Problem is you have to lay the pipe and insert the sprinklers into the lawn.
            If you already have standard lawn sprinklers it's less disruptive to use them.
             
          • pete

            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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            I just wonder how long a thousand litres would last from three sprinklers.
             
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            • infradig

              infradig Total Gardener

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              Remember to open the vent at top of IBC; they dont always 'pop back' if evacuated !
               
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