Supply Line

• PVC pipe is used for sprinkler supply lines.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  PVC pipe is used to convey water from the sprinkler manifold to the sprinkler heads. This is called the supply line. PVC pipe is typically laid in the ground, with several sections glued at the joints to reach the desired locations for sprinkler heads. This pipe can be as small as one-half inch in diameter or as large as 1 inch for commercial applications. A larger pipe means a higher volume of water can flow through the system.
  
  

Risers

• Sprinklers rely on a riser to connect the sprinkler body to the supply line. Risers are almost always made out of PVC. Risers have threaded ends and can be cut to specific lengths. Risers determine how high a sprinkler will sit in the ground. It's important to select risers that have the same diameter as the supply holes on the bottom of the sprinkler bodies. Risers come in rigid and flexible models for hard-to-reach places.
  
  

Sprinkler Heads

• Sprinkler heads can be made out of metal or PVC. PVC sprinklers are less durable than metal ones, but are still highly reliable. Sprinklers may contain pop-up heads, bodies and filters that are all made out of PVC. Other types of sprinklers, such as impact heads, may contain both metal and PVC parts. The advantage of using PVC sprinklers over metal ones is that they generally cost less.
  
  

Manifolds

• Sprinkler manifolds direct water to specific zones. Manifolds are almost always made out of PVC. Manifolds consist of an inlet for the main water line, a series of valves that direct water and supply-line connection ports. Manifolds can be built out of several smaller pieces of PVC, which are glued together using PVC primer and PVC glue. Manifolds are susceptible to cracking when frozen, so it's important to drain all the water from your manifold every winter.