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DIY drip irrigation system installation

Read time: 15 minutes Category: Instructions

Installing drip irrigation system possible independently in 2-3 hours without special skills. In this guide we'll cover entire process step-by-step from planning to first launch.

What's needed for installation?

Tools

  • Scissors or pruner

    For cutting pipes and tape

  • 16mm punch

    For creating holes in main pipe

  • Tape measure

    For accurate distance measurements

  • Marker

    For marking connection points

Materials

  • Drip tape (calculated length)
  • PVC main pipe 25-32mm
  • Start fittings with gasket
  • Tape end caps
  • Water connection faucet
  • 120 mesh disk filter
  • Timer (optional)

Step-by-step installation guide

1

Site planning and marking

First and most important stage - proper system planning.

What to do:

  1. Measure length and width of each bed
  2. Draw site plan on paper with dimensions
  3. Determine water source connection point
  4. Mark main pipe path
  5. Count number of rows for connection

Important!

Main pipe better laid perpendicular to beds. Easier to connect tape and uses less materials.

2

Water source connection

Installing filtration and pressure regulation system.

Correct element sequence:

1. Water source

Water supply/barrel

2. Faucet

System switch

3. Filter

Mandatory!

4. Reducer

If pressure > 2 atm

5. Main line

Pipe 25-32mm

Water supply (0.5-2 atm)

Connect faucet to water tap through adapter. Install filter after faucet. If pressure above 1.5 atm - add reducer.

Barrel (gravity irrigation)

Install barrel at height 1.5-2m or use pump. Install faucet at bottom of barrel. Filter mandatory - sludge accumulates in barrel.

3

Main pipe laying

Main pipe is system's main artery that distributes water across all rows.

Installation instructions:

  1. Unroll 25-32mm pipe along bed start
  2. Connect one end to filter output
  3. Mark with marker tape connection points (where each bed)
  4. Make holes with 16mm punch at marked places
  5. Close pipe end with cap or corner fitting

Professional tip

Make holes slightly closer to bed start (5-10cm from edge). Easier to insert start fittings and no need to stretch tape.

Wrong

  • • Making holes with knife - uneven edges
  • • Holes larger than 18mm - water leaks
  • • Holes smaller than 14mm - fitting won't fit

Right

  • • Use special 16mm punch
  • • Hole perfectly round
  • • Fitting enters tightly with gasket
4

Drip tape connection

Most important stage - proper tape connection and laying.

IMPORTANT: Check tape orientation!

Drip tape has top and bottom. Drippers must face UP!

Correct - drippers up

Water flows evenly, soil moistened uniformly along entire length

Wrong - drippers down

Water accumulates in tape, first meters flooded, end dries out

Step-by-step connection:

  1. Insert start fittings in main pipe holes

    Fitting has rubber gasket - insert with force until click. Check tightness - should not leak.

  2. Cut tape to required length

    Measure bed length + 20cm reserve. Cut perpendicular, even cut important for connection tightness.

  3. Stretch tape onto fitting

    Stretch tape edge and pull onto fitting cone 3-4cm. Should sit tight, without gaps.

  4. Lay tape along bed

    Drippers up! Tape should lie flat, without twists. Can press with stones every 2-3 meters.

  5. Close tape end with cap

    Two methods: 1) Insert plastic cap, 2) Fold end and secure with rubber band. First method more reliable.

Life hack for heavy soils

If soil is dense (clay), make small grooves 2-3cm deep before laying tape. Water will penetrate better to roots.

5

System testing and setup

Before full use, system needs testing and flushing.

First launch procedure:

  1. System flush (mandatory!)
    • Remove all caps from tape ends
    • Open water for 2-3 minutes
    • Water should flow from all rows - this washes out dirt
    • After flushing close caps
  2. Leak check
    • Open water at full power
    • Inspect all fitting connections with pipe
    • Check tape connection points
    • If leaking anywhere - tighten fitting or replace
  3. Watering uniformity test
    • Run irrigation for 15-20 minutes
    • Check soil moisture at beginning, middle and end of each row
    • Moistening should be same along entire length
    • If end dry - possibly low pressure or clogged drippers

Irrigation mode setup

For most crops optimal:

  • Watering time: morning (6:00-8:00) or evening (18:00-20:00)
  • Duration: 30-60 minutes
  • Frequency: daily in heat, once every 2 days in moderate weather

If installed timer - set automatic watering to these parameters.

Common problems and solutions

Problem: Water not flowing or flowing weakly

Possible causes and solutions:

  • • Clogged filter → Flush or replace filter element
  • • Low water pressure → Raise barrel or install pump
  • • Kinked pipe → Straighten main line, remove kinks
  • • Closed faucet or valve → Check all faucets on line

Problem: Uneven watering (beginning wet, end dry)

Possible causes and solutions:

  • • Tape drippers down → Turn tape right side up
  • • Line too long (>100m) → Divide into two zones
  • • Height difference on slope → Use compensated drippers
  • • Clogged drippers at end → Flush system, install filter

Problem: Leaks at connection points

Possible causes and solutions:

  • • Poor quality fitting without gasket → Replace with fitting with rubber gasket
  • • Hole in pipe too large → Use sealant or replace section
  • • Tape insufficiently stretched → Remove, stretch edge and pull again
  • Damaged tape near connection → Cut 5cm and reconnect

Need installation help?

Our specialists can visit site for professional installation or consult online

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