DIY Drip Valve

Hose bibs are a common water source for drip valves.

Drip irrigation systems connect to several water sources, including hose bibs, sprinkler risers and irrigation piping. Regardless of water source, drip system manufacturers recommend installing a pressure regulator after the shutoff valve. Pressure regulators prevent high-pressure water supplies from damaging drip tubing, and help drip emitters maintain a continuous, low flow rate. To build a drip system from a hose bib or sprinkler riser, only install a backflow preventer and pressure regulator and use the existing system's shutoff valve to control the drip line.

Things You'll Need

• Backflow preventer with hose thread
• Pipe thread sealant
• Pressure regulator
• Drip filter fitting
• Drip tube
• Backflow preventer with pipe thread
• PVC ball valve
• PVC primer
• PVC cement
• Automatic anti-siphon valve

Instructions

Installation on Hose Bib

1. Position the backflow preventer's rubber washer at the rear of its inlet. Press the preventer's inlet against the hose bib's outlet and twist the preventer's swivel clockwise. Engage the preventer's inlet threads with the hose bib's threads and rotate clockwise until hand tight.

2. Wrap or brush pipe thread sealant around the preventer's male outlet threads. If the preventer's outlet has hose threads, do not apply pipe thread sealant. Engage the pressure regulator's inlet with the preventer's outlet and rotate clockwise to tighten.

3. Press the filter fitting's inlet against the regulator's outlet and turn clockwise to engage and tighten the threads. Slide the drip tube over the filter fitting's barbed outlet. To activate the system, turn the hose bib's handle to the on position.

Installation on Sprinkler Riser

1. Coat the sprinkler riser's male threads with pipe thread sealant. Press the backflow preventer against the riser and rotate clockwise to thread the preventer onto the riser. Coat the riser's outlet with pipe thread sealant.

2. Press the regulator's threads onto the preventer's threads and turn clockwise to tighten. Engage the filter fitting's threads with the regulator's threads and twist clockwise to tighten.

3. Slip the drip tube over the filter's barbed outlet. Tighten all threaded fittings until hand tight. Activate the drip system by turning on the shutoff valve that controls the sprinkler riser; usually an automatic timer or a manual valve within a valve box.

Hard-Line Installation

1. Apply a thorough coat of PVC primer to the interior of both ends of a PVC ball valve. Apply primer to the exterior of the hard-line supply pipe and the exterior of the anti-siphon valve's inlet adapter. While the primer is still wet, apply PVC glue to the fittings and pipe.

2. Join the valve with the pipe on one end and with the anti-siphon valve on the other end. Twist the valve roughly a quarter turn and hold in position for 30 to 60 seconds. Allow the joints to cure before attaching subsequent fittings.

3. Apply pipe thread sealant to the male threads of the anti-siphon valve's outlet adapter. Thread a drip filter fitting onto the valve's outlet. Slip drip tubing over the filter fitting's barbed outlet. Connect the valve to an automatic timer via sprinkler timer wire, or manually operate the valve using its integral handle. Use the ball valve as a main shutoff valve for the drip system.

Tips & Warnings

• Anti-siphon valve installation specifics vary according to valve model; consult your manufacturer's guidelines to determine if you must install a pressure regulator or additional adapter fittings.

References

• Irritrol: Drip Zone Valve Kits Installation Instructions
• Colorado State University Extension: Drip Irrigation for Home Gardens
• Orbit: Dripmaster Free Installation Guide