Choosing the Right Pipe

I've installed millions of feet of pipe over my career, and I've seen every type succeed — and fail. The right choice depends on your soil, climate, and how much work you want to put in.

PVC (Schedule 40 and Class 200)

Best for: Main lines, lateral lines in warm climates with stable soil.

• Schedule 40 is thick-walled and rated for higher pressure. Use it for main lines (from your water source to the valves).
• Class 200 is thinner and cheaper. Perfect for lateral lines (from valves to heads) in most residential applications.

Pros: Strong, smooth interior (less friction loss), easy to find, standardized fittings.

Cons: Brittle in cold climates. If water freezes in Schedule 40, it will crack. Requires solvent cement (glue) — connections are permanent.

Polyethylene (Poly Pipe)

Best for: Cold climates, rocky soil, areas with freeze/thaw cycles.

• Flexible and forgiving. It expands slightly when water freezes, so it's much less likely to crack.
• Uses barbed insert fittings with clamps — no gluing needed.

Pros: Flexible, freeze-resistant, easy to work with, great for rocky soil where rigid pipe would crack.

Cons: Higher friction loss than PVC, fittings can be a weak point if not clamped properly.

Funny Pipe (Flexible Risers)

Best for: Connecting lateral lines to sprinkler heads.

• Short lengths of flexible tubing that connect your rigid pipe to the head.
• Absorbs impact — if someone steps on a head or a mower hits it, the funny pipe flexes instead of cracking your main line.

My Recommendation

For most DIY installs, I recommend Class 200 PVC for laterals and Schedule 40 PVC for mains in warm climates. In cold climates, go poly pipe and save yourself a lot of headaches. Always use funny pipe for the last 12 inches to every head.