Buying Guide: Sprinklers and Rainguns - IrrigationKing

05 Jun.,2025

 

Buying Guide: Sprinklers and Rainguns - IrrigationKing

     We sell many types of sprinklers and rain-guns. We have Micro and mini sprinklers, regular impact sprinklers ranging from ½" to 1”, and also Rainguns sized up to 2.5”. Each having it’s own advantage for different applications.  

If you want to learn more, please visit our website gardepot.

Flow Requirements

     The most important factor when choosing a sprinkler is its GPM (Gallons Per Minute) needed to operate. It is very possible to get a sprinkler that is too large for your water source. Each sprinkler we sell will have a chart on its page showing the GPM needed using a certain pressure and nozzle size. When running multiple sprinkler this GPM will be added up, but pressure (PSI) will remain the same. If you are designing a new system and matching a pump to fit, you can design it based off the sprinklers flow. If you already have a pump, verify the available flow and pressure before purchase.  

Garden Hose Flow

      A garden hose maxes out around 10GPM, limiting its potential to micro sprinklers and ½" sprinklers or possibly a ¾" sprinkler. When planning to use a larger sprinkler it is best to go off a pump curve to make sure your pump will have enough flow to operate the sprinkler. 

Micro and Mini Sprinklers

     Our lowest flow option are Micro sprinklers, https://www.irrigationking.com/micro-irrigation/micro-sprinklers.html Micro sprinklers are categorized by having a ¼" inlet barb. These are great for small gardens due to their small radius. They are also good at watering more established trees, similar to a drip system but with higher flow rates. Range is between 5-15ft. We have a great kit that comes with a pressure compensating sprinkler, tubing and a stake, https://www.irrigationking.com/micro-irrigation/micro-sprinklers/pressure-compensating-micro-sprinkler-assembly-with-head-stake-tubing.html  

     The next size up will be our Mini sprinklers, https://www.irrigationking.com/sprinklers/mini-sprinklers.html. Mini sprinklers will have a range of 15-20ft These will have a slightly higher flow rate than micro sprinklers, as well as a ½" threaded connection. The advantage to mini sprinklers is the ability to operate at lower pressures than impact sprinklers, allowing smaller pumps and line sizes for more efficient system designs.

Impact sprinklers 

     For more coverage and flow than mini sprinklers, an impact sprinkler will be a great option. This is the most common type of sprinkler for general use. A ½" or ¾" sprinklers will typically have range of 20-30ft. A ¾" head will have the best coverage to cost ratio. This is the largest sprinklers that a garden hose can operate.

For more information, please visit Garden Sprinkler Manufacturer.

We sell a few different versions of these style heads. The most common are the brass heads, a staple of agricultural irrigation for many years, https://www.irrigationking.com/sprinklers/brass-sprinklers.html. For a more economical and slightly more efficient version we offer plastic heads as an alternative,  https://www.irrigationking.com/sprinklers/plastic-sprinklers.html. We also have Senninger brand impact sprinklers which are even more efficient and durable, and made in the USA. https://www.irrigationking.com/sprinklers/senninger-sprinklers.html Senninger also offers a wobbler style head in a ¾" connection that has almost the same performance as an impact, but operates on much less pressure. 

Our most popular head for home and yard use is this, https://www.irrigationking.com/sprinklers/brass-sprinklers/1-2-part-circle-brass-impact-sprinkler-25-w-nozzle-5-32.html The most popular head for agricultural use is our RK-30, https://www.irrigationking.com/sprinklers/brass-sprinklers/3-4-brass-impact-sprinkler-27-w-nozzle-11-64-x-1-8.html  

Rainguns and Sime Sprinklers

     For our largest sprinklers we have our brand of Rainguns and Sime brand rainguns. Rainguns will shoot water between 40-100ft. A raingun is great for pasture areas, watering over the tops of trees, or used as an end gun for center pivots. Another great use for them is dust suppression of horse arenas, construction sites, and motocross tracks. These will require more flow than typical residential systems can supply, so an external pump is recommended.  

     Our Irrigationking Rainguns are factory made direct for us. This gives them an incredible performance at a great price. Our RK-57 will be able to operate off almost all trash pumps due to its slightly lower flow rate. The RK-67 will be able to cover up to 100ft radius, but will need a good pump to reach those specifications. Due to the high flow of these it is best to use no less than a 2” supply line. 

     We also offer a line of sprinklers from Sime, an Italian manufacturer established in the ’s. Sime has wide range of sprinklers from 1” using 5GPM up to 2.5” using about 500GPM. Sime sprinklers are known for being highly efficient due to the impact arm being driven from the secondary nozzle and not the primary like most heads. Sime also has turbine sprinklers like the Luxor and Skipper. These are driven off of water flow and operate much smoother than impact heads. Due to not needing the force of an impact arm to turn, these can also operate as low as 22PSI. We even have a model from Sime that is able to have fertilizers passed through it, the Sime Royal.  

The company is the world’s best Garden Hoses Manufacturer supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

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Irrigation System Buying Guide at Menards®

Your Lawn or Garden
All plants need water, and irrigation systems are a great way to ensure that the grass, trees, and flowers in your yard or garden get properly watered. However, the amount of water each plant needs can vary. Take note of the different types of plants in your yard and how much water each plant needs. You should also research how much rainfall your area receives on average as well as other factors that can influence how much water your plants receive, including:

Sunlight: If your lawn or garden is exposed to a lot of sunlight, the water will dry up faster and require more watering than shady areas.
Soil: The type of soil in your yard or garden can also affect how much water your plants receive. Sandy soils will absorb more water than clay. Plus, if your irrigation system provides more water than your lawn's soil can absorb, runoff water is produced, which is bad for the environment.
Terrain: A sloped terrain can affect the flow of your water.
Mapping Your System
Before you begin to shop for your irrigation system, map out your yard on paper. Having a diagram of your yard will give you an idea of the different plants and features in your yard. This will help you find the best irrigation system and help you design your system to efficiently irrigate all of your plants. Examine your yard and take note of the different types of the following plants and other prominent features:
• Shrubs
• Concrete fixtures like sidewalks
• Sheds, fences, and other man-made structures
• Flower beds
• Sloped or hilly areas
• Trees
• Shady areas
• Sunny areas
Local Regulations and Considerations
In addition to the demands of your lawn or garden, you should also research some of your local regulations. Some areas have specific water ordinances that govern how much water can be used and at what time and how often you can irrigate your lawn. Many areas also require using a backflow preventer device to prevent contaminated water from flowing back into the water supply as part of their building or plumbing codes.

If you plan on installing your own permanent irrigation system, make sure your city allows DIY installation (some cities require that all underground sprinkler systems are installed professionally). If DIY installation is allowed, make sure you acquire all of the necessary permits before you begin the installation. Before you begin any project that requires digging, contact your utility provider to determine where the utility lines are buried on your property.
Initial Planning for Underground Sprinkler Systems Before you choose the pieces for your sprinkler system, you need to find out a few things about your home and lawn. This will help you select components for your sprinkler system that are compatible with your home's setup.

Working Water Pressure: Use a pressure gauge to determine the working water pressure of your home.

Water Meter Size: Find your water meter size by checking the meter or your utility bill.
Flow Rate: The flow rate refers to how fast the water flows and is measured in gallons per minute. To determine your flow rate, take a 1-gallon bucket and use an outdoor spigot to fill it up. Time how long it takes the bucket to fill (in seconds).

Service Line Size: The easiest way to check the size of your supply line is to tie a string around the pipe and then measure the string. Below is a quick guide to common supply line sizes:


Copper Pipe or PEX Tubing
• 2.75" (70 mm): 3/4" Pipe
• 3.53" (90 mm): 1" Pipe
• 4.32" (110 mm): 1-1/4" Pipe
• 5.10" (120 mm): 1-1/2" Pipe
Steel Pipe or PVC Plastic Pipe
• 3.25" (83 mm): 3/4" Pipe
• 4.00" (102 mm): 1" Pipe
• 5.00" (127 mm): 1-1/4" Pipe
• 6.00" (152 mm): 1-1/2" Pipe
Flexible Polyethylene Pipe
• 2.96"- 3.33" (75-88 mm): 3/4" Pipe
• 3.74"- 4.24" (95-108 mm): 1" Pipe
• 4.90"- 5.57" (124-141 mm): 1-1/4" Pipe
• 5.70"- 6.28" (145-160 mm): 1-1/2" Pipe
Zones
Consult the diagram of your yard that you previously mapped out. Divide the area into zones based on the water needs of the plants. Keep in mind that the amount of shade or sunlight and soil type can affect the amount of water each zone receives. Use your diagram to set up different watering instructions for each zone based on your plants needs. Your diagram and the size of each zone will also determine which sprinkler heads you will need. Consider how much area each sprinkler head will cover. Look for sprinkler heads that cover the necessary area and position your sprinkler heads so their sprays overlap to avoid dry spots.