Lawn Sprinkler Pop-Ups and Nozzles
Jun 10th 2025
Different types of sprinklers are effective for watering different planting areas in home lawns and gardens. Pop-up sprinkler heads are the most popular and efficient lawn sprinklers commonly used to water turf. They are installed beneath the ground and "pop up" when activated, dispersing water over the specified area. This sprinkler style is used for general lawn watering, and it refers to sprinklers that pop up and do not rotate while running. When not in use, they retract into the ground, remaining flat with the surface to prevent obstruction. Plastic pop-up heads retract using a spring mechanism.
This article discusses everything you must know about pop-up sprinklers and nozzles to water your lawn and yard.
About Pop-up Sprinkles
Pop-ups are irrigation systems that use nozzles to distribute a continuous stream of water. The nozzles come in various patterns, including half-arc, full-arc, and quarter-circle. Pop-up sprinkler nozzles are available in various spray patterns to match the shape and dimensions of the yard.
Pop-up sprinklers are the most common sprinkler type because they perform well in both residential and commercial sprinkler systems. Pop-ups are the best water delivery irrigation systems for your lawn and garden. They provide excellent usability while remaining hidden when not in use and are designed efficiently to maximize water conservation. Pop-up sprinkler systems are perfect for a variety of gardens. They can be used to water lawns, flower beds, and borders.
Why Use Pop-Up Sprinklers
Pop-up sprinklers and nozzles can help you achieve uniform water distribution, minimize water waste, and maintain lush landscapes. They are most popular for irrigating residential lawns. are designed to distribute water evenly across lawn and yard surfaces. The spray resembles heavy rainfall.
Pop-ups typically have 15mm inlet threads and come with variable arc or fixed spray nozzles. Both have different water throw features. Pop-ups should be spaced uniformly, with the spray extending from one sprinkler's head to the next. This ensures complete coverage with no dry areas.
They come in fixed or adjustable spray patterns with varying radii, allowing you to design your system to meet the precise watering requirements of various areas of your yard and garden.
Furthermore, pop-up sprinklers are less obtrusive than other types since they retract into the ground when not in use. There is also a low risk of stumbling over a sprinkler head and sustaining an injury.
An in-ground system with pop-up sprinklers increases your home's curb appeal and value. The sprinkler is hidden beneath the ground, and only the head is visible. The head is flat with the soil below the grass. Once activated, the sprinkler's stem rises above the grass to irrigate. As a result, these spray bodies keep your lawn beautiful and hydrated.
Precipitation Rate
Pop-up sprinklers can deliver 1 to 2.5 inches of water per hour. They have a high water delivery rate. At a rate of 1.5 inches per hour, the pop-up can distribute ¼ inch of water in 10 minutes. However, the precipitation rate of fixed spray heads depends on system pressure, spray head spacing, and manufacturer specifications.
Water Delivery Pattern
Pop-ups are ideal for moderately sized lawn and yard areas (more than seven to ten feet wide and up to 30 to 45 feet wide) and uneven or curved areas.
Pop-up spray nozzles have a radius of 10, 12, or 15 feet and quarter-, half-, and complete circles. They are adjustable, allowing you to adjust a nozzle arc by roughly 30%. Therefore, a ten-foot nozzle can be easily adjusted down to seven feet. A larger adjustment would distort the pattern and reduce application efficiency.
The spray pattern of a pop-up lawn sprinkler is determined by the nozzle you use, which can be a quarter, half, or full circle. Some manufacturers provide variable arc nozzles.
Height
Pop-up sprinklers range in height from 2 to 20 inches. Two-inch pop-ups are common in locations with hard soil where digging is difficult. However, the 4" pop-up style is most popular for uniform distribution because the sprinkler should rise above the turf height. Use 4" pop-ups on turf areas. The current standard for mowing height is roughly three inches. A four-inch pop-up offers enough space for a growing lawn and sinking.
Sprinkler heads tend to settle over time as soil and thatch build up around them. Therefore, high pop-up heads with a 12-inch rise are ideal for watering ground covers and lower flower and shrub gardens. Similarly, risers can adjust the height of spray heads as the surface changes, allowing additional clearance if needed.
Water Pressure
Pop-ups have an optimal pressure range of 15-70 PSI, with many models performing best around 30 PSI. Lower pressure can reduce radius, while higher pressure can cause misting or fogging. The water pressure at some properties can be very high, which might require an in-line pressure regulator.
A pop-up sprinkler producing a "mist cloud" is a common sign of excessive pressure. This wastes water and creates a distorted delivery pattern, which leads to more maintenance problems.
Sprinkler heads with built-in pressure regulators ensure water is distributed at the proper pace. A grade change of more than eight vertical feet in a single zone leads to higher pressure at the lower end, causing distribution issues.
Example Pressure Ranges:
- Hunter Pop-up Rotor: 30 to 70 PSI
- K-Rain Adjustable Sprinkler Nozzle: 25 to 50 PSI
- K-Rain 4" Spray Body: 20 to 70 PSI
- Toro 5" Pop-up Rotor: 25 to 65 PSI
Pop-Up Sprinkler Installation Tips
Here are expert tips to make your lawn pop-up installation easier.
- The top face of the pop-up sprinkler should be flush with the ground.
- Install the sprinkler vertically; otherwise, you risk inconsistent watering.
- Use swing joints to move closer to walls, fences, and corners.
- If the pressure is too high, sprinkler mist will occur. To prevent this, install a pressure-regulating body, such as a K-Rain 30 PSI spray body.
- In a straight-line situation, use a female-threaded tee to connect the zone/pipe to more sprinklers. At the end of the waterline, use a female-threaded elbow to finish the zone or pipe.
- Pack the edges of the pop-up sprinkler tightly during installation to ensure it does not move from the vertical position.
- When sprinklers are placed on a sloping landscape, the lowest head will always weep water until the system drains. Check valves can fix this problem.
Choosing the Best Pop-up Sprinklers and Nozzles for Your Lawn
DripWorks pop-up sprinklers cater to all lawn area sizes. We have a solution for you whether you have a square or irregular-shaped yard. Check out the pop-up selection below to choose the best pop-up for your lawn and garden.
Hunter 4" Pop-up Rotor
The Hunter PGP pop-up rotor is the best-selling rotary sprinkler and the standard by which all other lawn sprinklers are evaluated. This reliable sprinkler delivers a smaller, lower volume of water absorbed by the ground, decreasing runoff and waste.
- 4" pop-up height
- 40°-360° adjustable arc
- Adjustable spray radius 31'-42'
- Best for small lawn areas
K-Rain Adjustable Rotary Nozzle
This is a durable, fully adjustable rotary nozzle lawn sprinkler. It is easy to install and efficient. This is the lowest-flow K-Rain sprinkler, but medium—and high-flow models are also available. Use the POPNA Adapter to connect this sprinkler to ½ male pipe threads.
- 80°-360° adjustable arc
- Produces large droplets
- Reduces wind drift
K-Rain 4" 30 PSI Spray Body
The K-Rain pop-up sprinkler is a heavy-duty stainless-steel sprinkler. Its four-inch pop-up height makes it best for watering medium—to large-sized lawns. Use this spray body with Orbit Nozzles and K-Rain Rotators.
- 4" pop-up height
- Leak-free
- In-stem 30 psi regulator
- WaterSense: meets EPA criteria
Toro 5" Pop-up Rotor
The Toro RapidSet series rotor is the best sprinkler for basic lawn watering. Its arc can be easily and quickly adjusted without tools. For day-to-day installations, the T5 sprinkler is all you'll need.
- 5" pop-up height
- 40°-360° adjustable arc
- Spray radius: 25-50 feet
Upgrade Your Watering with Pop-Up Lawn Sprinklers
A high-quality sprinkler for your lawn causes fewer problems over its lifetime and requires less maintenance. Installing efficient pop-up sprinklers and nozzles precisely distributes water and helps you conserve water, money, and the environment.
At DripWorks, we offer a wide variety of high-quality pop-up lawn sprinklers and sprinkler nozzles from the leading irrigation manufacturers: Hunter, Rain Bird, K-Rain, and Toro. We also provide everything you need to install a complete pop-up sprinkler system, such as irrigation piping, sprinkler fittings, equipment, and accessories. Get the best-quality sprinklers and raise your lawn watering to professional standards.