How To Increase GPM For Sprinkler System? 2 Easy Steps!

Are you having trouble thinking about how to increase GPM for sprinkler system? Getting a larger pipe or buying a new sprinkler system is an option. It may 

Water sprinklers can be used in many ways. You can use it for gardening, watering your golf course, or for emergencies like fire. 

how to increase GPM for sprinkler system

Water sprinklers could work wonders in so many ways. 

Well, the more water it could hold would also mean more water it could deliver.

To increase this, you will have to increase your water tank’s GPM. 

Lucky for you, as we’ve laid down the things you should do from measuring to increasing your tank’s GPM and the disadvantages of having a larger GPM.

 

What Is GPM?

GPM stands for Gallons per Minute; it is the standard unit of measure of water flow. 

It is a measurement of how many gallons a pump can move every minute.

GPM is based on three head measurements—this refers to the height:

 

  • Total head

It is the discharge point for the fluid.

 

  • Total suction head

This is the height measurement between the fluid source and the pump.

 

  • Total discharge head

It is the height from the pump to the highest point the water will get pumped.

GPM is used to identify the unique capabilities of a pump so you can select what you need. 

Pumps with higher GPM is needed in large public areas such as golf courses,

Suppose your pump specification reads as 150 GPM at 50 feet of head.

This means that the pump can deliver 150 gallons of water per minute at the height of 50 feet.

 

Steps In Calculating GPM

Before you can increase the GPM, you should know how to measure it first. 

And what do you think you should know first? Of course, the pressure tank’s specifications!

And specifications have various inclusions such as the gallon drawdown, the capacity of the gallon, and the PSI

The manufacturer will specify the gallon drawdown, and all you have to do is to find a stopwatch and keep a time check. 

Take note of the following steps:

 

Step #1. Emptying

You will have to empty your pressure tank first. That way, we can measure the gallons it will hold at the beginning.

 

Step #2. Timing

Using the stopwatch, read the time as the pressure tank will turn on. 

To do this effectively, start the stopwatch as soon as you hear the pressure switch turn on. 

Then stop the stopwatch when your pressure tank switch turns off.

 

Step #3. Measuring

In this step, you already know the time (recorded in your stopwatch) and your pressure tank’s drawdown amount. Divide the former by the latter. 

For instance, if it takes 4 minutes for the pressure switch to turn off, and the drawdown is at 20 gallons, this would mean that the pressure tank has a GPM rate of five.

Or, if you don’t have a pressure tank, you can also use a bucket instead. 

Using a bucket or container, fill the tank. With a stopwatch, measure the time spent in filling and divide that by the volume of the container or bucket used.

 

Increasing GPM For A Sprinkler System

So, how to increase GPM for sprinkler system? How can I increase the minimum GPM available in your sprinkler system? 

These questions might be circling your mind and bugging your sleep. There are several ways to increase their GPM, and here are some of them.

 

#1. Larger pipe

This is an obvious solution to the problem. If you want to increase your GPM, you will need a larger pipe. 

Have a water supplier install a larger pipe in your property. Although in most cases, this option will cost you or worse, this will not be possible.

 

#2. Forcing water

Another way to increase the GPM is to force more water into the existing pipe. 

Whether your sprinkler is automatic or not, having a larger sprinkler with more pressure on water would vastly increase its GPM.

 

Disadvantage Of Larger Flows

Some disadvantages come with having larger flows. Let’s take a good close look at these risks.

 

#1. Scrubbing

The velocity is the measurement of the speed at which the water is flowing through the pipes. 

The flow rate may seem harmless, but having high-velocity water flow inside the pipes could be a bad thing. This is called scrubbing.

This scrubbing is essentially wearing away your pipes. Imagine water as being abrasive, so it slowly tearing your pipes. 

Even though you have metal pipes, scrubbing is even worse when mixed with corrosion. 

Certain velocities are safe for every size of pipes. Staying in the zone should mean safety. So for your safety, stick to the maximum allowable velocity in your pipes. 

 

#2. Water hammer

High-velocity water flow could also cause water hammer

Water hammer is the plumbing noise you hear when you suddenly stop the valve on the fast-flowing rate of water in a pipe. 

If you experience this, you will have to do some plumbing work.

 

Conclusion

So now you have an option on how to increase GPM for sprinkler system. 

With these things that you now have learned, I’m hoping this helps. 

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