Connecting to Water Source - All Types

Installing Drip Irrigation System

Connecting to Water Source – All Types

Also known as the head assembly, the starting point of installing your drip irrigation system will consist of assembling your water source connection components. The drip irrigation parts you need will be based on the type of water source connection you have available. The majority of connections will fall into two categories: hose bibb, and irrigation valves.

Hose bibb: For installation on most backyard drip irrigation systems, connecting to a hose bibb is the most common connection. First, determine if this connection will be dedicated solely to your drip irrigation system or if you will still need access for a garden hose. Installing a Y style ball valve will split you existing connection into two. Be sure to install each component in order and in the proper direction of flow.

Use Teflon tape to make watertight connections between components with pipe threads and o-rings or hose washers with components with hose threads. Hand tighten each part to make a water tight seal. Be sure not to over tighten any hose thread connections, over tightening can cause the threads to strip and become damaged.

Irrigation Valves: For an above ground drip irrigation installation, start with installing anti-siphon valves. An anti-siphon valve combines a valve and vacuum breaker in one device, so there is no need to install a separate vacuum breaker. On the downstream of the valve, you will need to install a filter, pressure regulator and hose tubing adapter. These parts can be installed just below the valves outlet or in a valve box for access to the filter.

Inline valves need to be installed in conjunction with a back flow preventer. Back flow preventers are larger versions of the vacuum breaker and are mainly installed in large residential or commercial drip irrigation installations. Check with your local municipality for any code requirements concerning the use of backflow preventers. Inline valves will require a filter, pressure regulator and tubing adapter. Irrigation Direct offers preassembled drip zone kits.

Both the Compression and Direct-Loc style end caps have removable threaded cap to aid with flushing your drip tubing.