Step #1: Build the Manifold.

The manifold for a sprinkling system is a group of control valves connected on the same pipe spaced three to six inches apart. The control valves are connected to different pipelines that water different areas of your landscape. Water comes into the manifold from the water supply line and is directed through the manifold by which valves are open. The valves are controlled by a circuit control box. The manifold should be easily accessible, so rather than burying it, cover it with a control box.

Step #2: Dig.

Next dig "V"-shaped trenches at least eight inches deep for your area supply lines from the manifold. Your sprinkling system will work best if your trenches are straight and level. If your straight line leads you under a sidewalk or other obstruction, connect a piece of galvanized pipe to a garden hose and turn the water on full blast to wash away the dirt to go under the obstruction. Once the dirt is washed away, cap a piece of pipe and drive it through the hole under the sidewalk to finish your sprinkler line.

Step #3: Tap in.

After you have your trenches dug, you'll want to tap into the water supply line. Where you install a tee pipe will depend on where you can access your supply line. There are typically three places you could tap in at.
1. If there is a water meter in your basement, you can tap into the supply line just past the meter before the pipe supplies your house.
2. If you have an outside water supply already, tap into the supply line just behind the outside hose bibb.
3. You can tap into the main water line before it enters the house, but past the outside meter.
Just past your tee pipe, install a stop-and-waste valve as an emergency shut off and a place to drain the sprinkling system for the winter months. Your tee pipe will run directly into your manifold.

Step #4: Protect.

To prevent your home's water supply from being contaminated by your sprinkling system, install antisiphon valves onto the control valves in your manifold.

Step #5: Lay it out.

Lay your pipe down in your trenches and begin making connections. Before you install your risers for your sprinkler heads, screw the riser temporarily into place and make sure it will be at a 90 degree angle from the ground when it is installed permanently.

Step #6: Give them heads.

Once your pipes are connected and cured, install the risers and cut them to size so the sprinkler heads will be at the right height above the ground. Attach the sprinkler heads.

Step #7: The finishing touch.

Mount the controller for your sprinkling system in a highly accessible place, like the garage and run low voltage wires to your manifold. Set the controls and test your system to make sure everything is working properly and you don't have any leaks before you cover everything up. Fill your trenches and compact the soil down around your piping. Landscape over the top of the trenches and you're done.