How To Install Drip Irrigation

9/16/2019 How to Install Drip Irrigation: 9 Steps (with Pictures)
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How to Install Drip Irrigation

By This Old House (/member/This+Old+House/) in Living (/living/) > Gardening (/living/gardening/projects/) 242,870 233
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By This Old House
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This Old House
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About: The Emmy Award winning This Old House is television's premier home improvement series. The show that unlocked
https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Install-Drip-Irrigation/ 1/22
America's passion for home celebrates more than
9/16/2019 How30toyears
Installof home
Drip improvement
Irrigation: on PBS.
9 Steps (with The televisi... More About This
Pictures)
Old House » (/member/This%20Old%20House/)
TIME> 2 hours
COST> Starts at $40
DIFFICULTY> Easy
In most parts of the country, trying to keep yards watered throughout the summer requires
an open tap like you haven’t seen since your last fraternity kegger. Which isn’t so great if
you live in a conservation-conscious area that restricts sprinkler use. If the best defense is a
good offense, the way to beat the heat is with micro irrigation. This system of drip tubing
and tiny sprayers delivers aqua right at the base of plants.
MORE: How to Install Drip Irrigation (VIDEO) (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,16

31524,00.html)
You don’t need a sophisticated irrigation network to supply micro irrigation—a spigot for a
hose will do. Setting up a system to feed a backyard’s worth of plant beds, shrubs, and
trees takes just a few minutes of designing and a couple of hours of connecting the various
components. Then before you can pop open a cold one and admire your handiwork, your
garden will be thanking you for its own liquid refreshment. __This Old House
MORE: How to Repair Drip Irrigation (VIDEO) (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,2

0057723,00.html)
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9/16/2019
Step 1: Do Your Homework
How to Install Drip Irrigation: 9 Steps (with Pictures)
(https://cdn instructables com/FMR/U6NH/GAB5Q523/FMRU6NHGAB5Q523

auto=webp&fit=bounds) LARGE jpg?
Most of micro irrigation is drip tubing, ¼-inch or ½-inch hose tted with tiny plastic nubs,
called emitters, that allow water to drip out at a regulated pace without clogging. The
tubing snakes around and among plants and trees to get water into the soil at the roots.
You can buy that tubing either prepunched, with emitters factory-installed under the
surface every 18 inches, or unperforated, which requires you to punch the holes and attach
the emitters to the outside of the tubing yourself. Unperforated tubing can be used to
customize a system to an unusual layout or to connect sections of tubing where you don't
need water. Some companies also sell soaker hose, laser-perforated rubber that weeps
water into the soil without emitters.
MORE: Water-Saving Hose Nozzles (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,2021527

9,00.html)
All manufacturers have accessories that are specialized for different types of plants—
sprays for ground cover, foggers for hanging containers, and single emitters for reaching
plants off the grid. But few offer a kit with everything included. You will need to draw a plan
of your garden — because micro irrigation requires so much tubing, it is not appropriate for
lawns—and map out a con guration of the tubing and accessories, then buy some parts
separately. Or contact the drip kit's manufacturer; many will take your garden plans and
provide you with an ef cient design and materials list free of charge.
MORE: 10 Uses for Garden Hoses (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,1607708,0

0.html)
Step 2: Connect to an Outdoor Faucet
(https://cdn instructables com/FR5/BLZA/GAA0ELZQ/FR5BLZAGAA0ELZQ

Screw the vacuum breaker to the pressure regulator, if your hose bib doesn't already have
its own vacuum breaker. This part will prevent contaminated hose water from backwashing
into the house's supply lines.
MORE: How to Install a Freezeproof Faucet (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/intro/

0,,480863,00.html)
Attach the lter to the pressure regulator. Connect the hose swivel to the threaded opening
jutting out from the side of the lter. This has a barbed end to accept the cut end of the
tubing and hold it tight. Screw the entire assemblage to the hose bib.
MORE: How to Install a Freezeproof Faucet (VIDEO) (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/vide
o/0,,20053912,00.html)
Step 3: Lay Out the Tubing
(https://cdn instructables com/F37/Y32X/GAA0WXN7/F37Y32XGAA0WXN7

Attach a length of unperforated tubing or garden hose to the hose bib, long enough to
reach from the bib to the plant beds.
Using barbed connectors, attach the roll of ½-inch tubing with emitters to the unperforated
tubing at the edge of the plant bed.
MORE: Water-Saving Yard & Garden Gear (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,200

48584,00.html)
Snake the tubing with emitters around the plants, near their roots. Keep the lines of tubing
about 12 inches apart.
Step 4: Install Ground Stakes
(https://cdn instructables com/F46/LPX6/GAA0WXNB/F46LPX6GAA0WXNB

Once you've got the tubing in position,
9/16/2019
use plastic ground stakes to hold it down. Be sure
the hook at the top of the stakes ts over the tubing.
Wherever the tubing has to turn at a sharp angle or branch out to another section, cut it
and reattach it with tee or elbow connectors. Cut the end of the tubing when you are
nished; leave it open so you can ush it with water later.
MORE: Water the Lawn With Your Saturday Night Bath (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/
article/0,,20153818,00.html)
Step 5: Lay Tubing Around Shrubs and Trees
(https://cdn instructables com/FSH/UOE6/GAA0WXNG/FSHUOE6GAA0WXNG

Position loops of ¼-inch tubing around the trees and shrubs.
Use a hole punch to pierce the ½-inch tubing where the loop will begin. Insert a small tee
connector into the hole.
MORE: 9 Steps to a Lush Lawn (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,20049822,00.h

tml)
Attach one end of ¼-inch tubing with emitters to one side of the tee. Now make a lasso
shape around the trunk of the tree. The loop should be big enough to extend halfway out to
the edge of the tree's canopy.
Cut the tubing and attach the end to the other side of the tee.
MORE: 11 Ways to Save Water, Time,
9/16/2019
and Money on Your Landscape (http://www.thisoldh
ouse.com/toh/article/0,,20049822,00.html)
Step 6: Position Sprayers for Ground Cover
(https://cdn instructables com/FZA/K6W0/GAA0ELZW/FZAK6W0GAA0ELZW

Where the plantings are so dense it's dif cult to snake tubing at the roots, branch out with
micro sprayers.
Pierce the ½-inch tubing with a hole punch, then insert a small straight connector. Attach a
length of unperforated ¼-inch tubing long enough to reach the location of the micro
sprayer. Connect the other end of the
9/16/2019
¼-inch tubing to the micro sprayer.
MORE: How to Install In-Ground Sprinklers (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/intro/

0,,641780,00.html)
Clip the sprayer to a stake and position it in the ground cover.
Use a similar method to branch out with single emitters (to rose bushes, for example),
foggers, or other specialized drip heads.
MORE: How to Repair a Leaking Sprinkler (VIDEO) (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/vide

o/0,,1639654,00.html)
Step 7: Close Off the Tubing's End
(https://cdn instructables com/FSC/UO5M/GAA0WXNS/FSCUO5MGAA0WXNS

Once all the tubing and attachments are placed, turn on the water for a minute to ush dirt
out of the tubing.
Turn off the water. Slide a ½-inch end clamp onto the open end of the tubing. Fold the end,
then slide the other loop of the end clamp over the folded piece to hold it in its crimped
position.
MORE: How to Maintain a Lawn Organically (VIDEO) (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/vid

eo/0,,20346447,00.html)

Step 8: Cover the Tubing With Mulch
(https://cdn instructables com/FTD/QNBN/GAA0ELZZ/FTDQNBNGAA0ELZZ

Clean up around all the tubing and make sure all connections are tight and no emitters are
blocked or clogged. Turn on the water and check for leaks or bad connections.
MORE: How to Mulch Plant Beds (VIDEO) (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,1639

669,00.html)
To keep the water from evaporating before it reaches the plant roots and to give the garden
a manicured appearance, cover all the exposed tubing with about two inches of mulch.
MORE: Mulch Materials (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,1209283,00.html)
Step 9: Take a Breather...THEN START PLANNING YOUR NEXT DIY

ADVENTURE
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Go to thisoldhouse.com (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh) to nd your next project!
Or, get ideas in your Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ThisOldHouse)home feed
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16 Discussions
(/member/namora/) namora (/member/namora/) 3 years ago
Reply / Upvote
I believe for an established garden of any sort this is the best system for watering available. But I am
making a comment on this article because it is the only one that has anything to do whatsoever with
the activity of gardening. Perhaps the editors are thinking that since there are no shortcuts to the
process to create a space for growing healthy food nor are their any that can be applied to removing
the gravel from the soil with a hardware cloth screen box and replacing it with a yard or so of well
composted topsoil and manure. It is all hard sweaty work and while a yard of topsoil delivered isn't a
budget breaker it isn't cheap either and there is no slick way to move it from where the truck dumps it
and mix it into the existing screened soil. That said the addition of a small food source is a valuable
addition to any dwelling and if properly planted can add immeasurably to your home. I am particularly
fond of the potatoes and onions that the earth and very little continued effort provides.
(/member/DDW_OR/) DDW_OR (/member/DDW_OR/) 3 years ago

Reply / Upvote
how about connecting the End back to the beginning with a T connector?
this should eliminate the loss-of-pressure problem
(/member/mieander/) mieander (/member/mieander/) 7 years ago on Introduction

Reply / Upvote
Followed the link on how to install drip system, and it led to the most useless instructional video I've
ever seen. It was just over one minute long, and roughly shows a strange application of drip tube being
installed under a lawn (with the suggestion you can water on restricted days because nobody can see
you use it.) Usually This Old House is a helpful site-not this time.
(/member/johnp9/) johnp9 (/member/johnp9/) 8 years ago on Introduction

Reply / Upvote
The larger plastic tubing is about the same size as a garden hose but harder plastic. Smaller tubing is
about 1/4 inch. You can use emitters or drip lines that have a small hole every few inches. You add
taps into the larger harder plastic supply lines with a tap tool which punctures a specific sized hole for
a tap. The taps are just small pieces of plastic with a hole through them and they have nipples at both
ends to lock them into the larger tubing and hold the smaller drip line tubing. The taps are hard to pull
back out and will make the hole a little larger. I found a few taps without holes through them which I
guessed were to plug any mistakes. Make sure you lay out the larger tube to supply water at line
pressure to as much of the area you want irrigated as possible. If you use drip lines, you need to keep
them fairly short and roughly the same length so that they drip evenly. Each hole in the drip line
reduces the water pressure and you will barely have any water flow the end of a long length. I added a
very long piece of drip line to a single tap for my first time and the first few feet were ok, but the rest
was significantly less. The emitters are very small holes and I expect them to clog easily so I use a
filter and I use a programmable timer to turn the water on and off.
1 reply F
(/member/thebluehawk/) thebluehawk (/member/thebluehawk/) 9 years ago on Introduction
Reply / Upvote
Fairly good ible, I just wish every other line wasn't a link to your website.
3 replies F
(/member/This+Old+House/) This Old House (author) 9 years ago on Introduction

Reply / Upvote
Related link overload noted, guys! Will tone it down a bit on the next one. Bear with us as we get to
know the site (and you all) better. Thanks!
(/member/jasongullickson/) jasongullickson (/member/jasongullickson/) 9 years ago on Introduction
Reply / Upvote
How much pressure is required for these to work? I picked up a kit from Harbor Freight and I'd like to
use collected rainwater with it. I'm assuming it's going to take more than gravity to provide adequate
pressure so I'll need a pump but I want to use the smallest pump I can get away with.
1 reply F
(/member/husainsn/) husainsn (/member/husainsn/) 9 years ago on Introduction

Reply / Upvote
I have installed Orbit drip system using components from home Depot. I installed pressure reducer, but
water pressure at the drip nozzle is so large that they frequently pop out. I tried to throttle the valve, but
it reduces the flow. Any suggestions to reduce pressure? I find orbit plastic components not reliable,
threads get mangled etc and their cost is another issue. I ended up spending substantial amount.
2 replies F
(/member/suckrpnch/) suckrpnch (/member/suckrpnch/) 9 years ago on Introduction
Reply / Upvote
More pictures and less ads would have made this a worthwhile instructable. As it is now, it isn't very
helpful. A lot that isn't very clear to me.
Post Comment
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(https://cdn instructables com/F0L/NJ0L/GAA12HGI/F0LNJ0LGAA12HGI LARGE jpg?auto=webp&fit=bounds)

MORE: How to Install Drip Irrigation (VIDEO) (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,16

MORE: How to Repair Drip Irrigation (VIDEO) (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,2

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Teachers! Did you use this instructable in your classroom?

Add Teacher Note

(https://cdn instructables com/FMR/U6NH/GAB5Q523/FMRU6NHGAB5Q523

MORE: Water-Saving Hose Nozzles (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,2021527

MORE: 10 Uses for Garden Hoses (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,1607708,0

Fan TOH on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ThisOldHouse)

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Step 2: Connect to an Outdoor Faucet

(https://cdn instructables com/FR5/BLZA/GAA0ELZQ/FR5BLZAGAA0ELZQ

MORE: How to Install a Freezeproof Faucet (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/intro/

MORE: How to Install a Freezeproof Faucet (VIDEO) (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/vide

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Step 3: Lay Out the Tubing

(https://cdn instructables com/F37/Y32X/GAA0WXN7/F37Y32XGAA0WXN7

MORE: Water-Saving Yard & Garden Gear (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,200

Fan TOH on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ThisOldHouse)

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Step 4: Install Ground Stakes

(https://cdn instructables com/F46/LPX6/GAA0WXNB/F46LPX6GAA0WXNB

the hook at the top of the stakes ts over the tubing.

Fan TOH on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ThisOldHouse)

 Add Tip V Ask Question | Comment Download

Step 5: Lay Tubing Around Shrubs and Trees

(https://cdn instructables com/FSH/UOE6/GAA0WXNG/FSHUOE6GAA0WXNG

Position loops of ¼-inch tubing around the trees and shrubs.

MORE: 9 Steps to a Lush Lawn (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,20049822,00.h

Fan TOH on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ThisOldHouse)

 Add Tip V Ask Question | Comment Download

Step 6: Position Sprayers for Ground Cover

(https://cdn instructables com/FZA/K6W0/GAA0ELZW/FZAK6W0GAA0ELZW

MORE: How to Install In-Ground Sprinklers (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/intro/

Clip the sprayer to a stake and position it in the ground cover.

MORE: How to Repair a Leaking Sprinkler (VIDEO) (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/vide

Fan TOH on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ThisOldHouse)

 Add Tip V Ask Question | Comment Download

Step 7: Close Off the Tubing's End

(https://cdn instructables com/FSC/UO5M/GAA0WXNS/FSCUO5MGAA0WXNS

Fan TOH on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ThisOldHouse)

MORE: How to Maintain a Lawn Organically (VIDEO) (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/vid

 Add Tip V Ask Question | Comment Download

Step 8: Cover the Tubing With Mulch

(https://cdn instructables com/FTD/QNBN/GAA0ELZZ/FTDQNBNGAA0ELZZ

MORE: How to Mulch Plant Beds (VIDEO) (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,1639

Fan TOH on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ThisOldHouse)

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Step 9: Take a Breather...THEN START PLANNING YOUR NEXT DIY

(https://cdn instructables com/FIY/DKZ7/G8XPHWYS/FIYDKZ7G8XPHWYS

Go to thisoldhouse.com (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh) to nd your next project!

Or, get ideas in your Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ThisOldHouse)home feed

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