How to Add a Drip to a Sprinkler Line

Water the garden drop by drop.

As many areas experience droughts, water shortages and rising water prices, conserving water becomes a priority for an increasing number of homeowners. A drip irrigation system soaks the root zone of plants using a slow, steady flow of drips. Drip irrigation is simple to install and you can begin a drip line simply by tapping in to your existing PVC sprinkler system or an outdoor hose faucet. Save some water, save some dollars and do it yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears
• Punching tool
• Back flow device (hose faucet application)
• 1/2 inch pipe thread x drip system conversion fitting (adapts from ½"riser to regulator)
• Drip system pressure regulator
• Swivel adapter (adapts from regulator to poly tubing)
• Thread seal tape
• 1/2 inch poly tubing line
• 1/2 inch poly tubing end cap fitting
• 1/4 inch feeder drip line
• Drip fittings
• Stakes

Instructions

1. Shut off the water to the irrigation system. Find irrigation shut-off valves concealed in a rectangular valve box or above ground connected to timer wires. Turn the valves counterclockwise to cut off the flow of water.

2. Drain water from irrigation system. Find the sprinkler that you'll use to tap into the irrigation system, remove soil from around its' base (if applicable) and remove the fitting. If converting a hose faucet, simply open the faucet. Again, twist counter-clockwise to loosen. Allow water to flow from irrigation system. Move on after the flow bubbles down. Don't worry if water remains in the pipes-it is inevitable.

3. Install drip system conversion fitting if using a riser. Apply a double-thick layer of thread-seal tape to the male end of your connection. Fasten the drip-system adapter, twisting until hand-tight and a quarter-turn beyond. Install back flow prevention device if using a hose faucet. Hose fittings do not require pipe-thread seal tape.

4. Attach pressure regulator fitting and swivel adapter. Twist and turn fittings until hand tight.

5. Attach poly tubing to swivel adapter and lay out drip line to desired plants. The tubing and adapter connect by compression. Push the tubing inside of the adapter until snug and tight. Unroll the tubing, lay near desired plants and stake to hold in place. Cut the tubing using pruning shears and seal the end with the end cap.

6. Attach fittings and auxiliary drip line to main drip line. Drip fittings and 1/4" feed line fittings attach to poly tubing using barbs. Punch holes and push barbed fittings into the poly tubing. Barbed fittings fit directly into 1/4 inch feeder line.

7. Arrange and stake drip fittings.

8. Turn on water and check for leaks. Occasionally, water seeps from barbed connections during their initial run-this subsides as the tubing fills with water.

Tips & Warnings

• If you choose to bury drip line, bury adequately deep to avoid disturbance by gardening practices.

• Some drip fittings require an in-line pressure regulator to function properly. Check your manufacturer's instructions prior to installing drip lines.

References

• Drip System Fact Sheet