Welcome to part 4 of how to assemble a drip irrigation system. Today we're going
to share our tips on how to assemble emitterline. Before getting started we
suggest that you watch part 1 how to assemble a drip irrigation system.
Be sure and use a pressure regulator for emitter line because it requires
pressure less than 60 psi but also it needs pressure of at least 15 psi in order to work properly.
Be sure and check your water pressure first. It must have a
pressure of at least 15 psi along the entire run of each emitterline. This
means that you will need 25 to 55 psi at your faucet, depending on the length of your emitterline.
The emitter line is great for areas that you want to water
with a meandering line. It's good for moderate water coverage in landscaping
areas such as shrubs and perennials and it can also be used for garden beds.
Emitter line is sometimes confused at first glance with poly tubing. It also
comes from the same sizes 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch.
Unlike poly tubing that requires the addition of emitters, emitterline already has emitters built
into it to deliver water to your plants when you look closely you can see the
small holes every 12 inches on the half-inch line and every 6 inches on the 1/4 inch line.
From where you connected the poly tubing in video part 1, there's several ways to transition to the emitterline.
If you'll be laying your emitter line and straight or curved lines such as in a vegetable garden.
Extend your poly tubing along one full edge of the garden. At the spots where
you want to branch off an emitterline, cut the poly tubing and insert a Power-
Loc Tee, so that the opposite ends reconnect the poly tubing and the third
end is facing in the direction of your emitterline. As demonstrated in the drip
tape assembly video we connected the drip tape with
a connector that punched into the poly tubing, for the emitterline, the way
we're going to connect it to the poly tubing is with the tee.
At the end of the emitterline install an End Cap or an End Cap with a Flushable Valve.
If your emitter line gets clogged all you have to do is run water through it and then open the valve to flush it out.
If you'll be laying your emitter line in a loop you'll need to install two Power-Loc Tees.
The first tee will cut the poly tubing as we described in a previous design but this time the side branch
will also be a short length of poly tubing. At the far end of this short poly tubing
install another tee. This second tee should have one end installed into
the poly and the other two ends of the tee will fit into the two ends of the emitterline to form a closed loop.
If your emitterline needs to make a sharp turn
you'll need to cut it and then install an elbow to reconnect it.
When laying down your emitter line make sure and lay it down with the holes facing up.
Emitter line sometimes it's a little bit easier to work with when it's warmed
up in the sun and if you have any problems putting on the Power-Loc ends
or fittings just use a little bit of water.
To use the 1/4 inch emitterline follow the same principles as for the 1/2 inch emitterline but use 1/4 inch
fittings punched into the side of the poly tubing. Keep in mind when designing
your system that the maximum length per run of 1/4 inch emitterline is 18 feet.
For simplicity, efficiency and to save water, water your garden with
emitterline and grow organic for life!