Frequently Requested Information
by Stuart Spaulding —
CLIA Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor Training & Communications Manager at DIG Corp.
Micro-Tubing
* 1/8” is for use with 12 outlet drip head (Maverick) and spray sticks (#9802-2) only
* 1⁄4” micro-tubing is available in Vinyl or Polyethylene
* 1⁄4” Poly is less bendable than vinyl but withstands high temperatures better than vinyl
* Micro-tubing is primarily used to extend a dripper or micro-sprinkler away from the 1⁄2” poly tubing or to branch off to reach plants in containers
* Both 1⁄4” vinyl and poly accept 1⁄4” barbed fittings
* Uncoil the tubing and lay it out in direct sunlight or soak the end in a cup of hot tap water to make it easier to insert barbs
Drippers
* Are categorized into two types- pressure compensating, and non-pressure compensating
* Pressure compensating (PC) drippers are pre-set at a specified flow rate and are non- adjustable
* PC drippers are preferable for drip systems that have significant changes in elevations and/or long run lengths (over 250’).
* PC drippers compensate for differences in pressure throughout the system and can provide better system uniformity
* Non- PC drippers are suitable for most residential drip systems that are under 250 feet in length and are relatively level.
* PC drippers should not be selected for use with gravity flow or rain barrel systems.
* PC drippers must be operated at pressures between 10 & 45 psi.
* Non -PC drippers include flag drippers, button drippers, in-line drippers, adjustable drippers
* Select the drippers flow rate based on the soil type, not the plant type or size
* Use lower flow drippers for denser soils high in clay content
* PC drippers cannot be taken apart for cleaning.
Dripline
* Is a type of soaker hose that saturates the soil adjacent to the tubing
* Can be laid on the soil surface and/or covered with mulch
* Available in two diameters, 1⁄4” or 1⁄2”
* 1⁄4” is non-PC, 1⁄2” is pressure compensating
* Emitters are “built- in” to the tubing wall at pre-set spacings
* Excellent choice for raised vegetable beds, square foot gardening, deep watering of trees
* Determine emitter spacing distance based on soil type-use shorter spacing for sandy, lighter soils
Micro-sprinklers, Spray Jets, Misters
* Ideal for irrigating flower beds, groundcover, containers and slopes or areas where there are many small plants close together
* Excellent choice for sandy soils
* Are available in a variety of spray patterns and flow rates
* Not recommended to irrigate turf or to install at windy sites
* OK to install on the same zone as drippers 1⁄2” Poly Tubing
* Maximum flow rate = 220 gallons per hour
* Is the primary supply line for residential drip irrigation systems
* Standard DIG 1⁄2” poly tubing is .600” ID (inside diameter) .700” OD (outside diameter)
* Connects to .700” compression fittings (color code- black)
* Maximum operating pressure is 60 psi.
* Does not need to be buried, & contains UV inhibitors (carbon black) to ensure long-life in direct sunlight
* Maximum single run length = 400 feet
* Also available with .710” OD which connects to .710” compression fittings (color code- blue)
* Uncoil and lay out in direct sunlight to make the tubing more pliable and easier to push into
Hose End Timers
* Simple, do-it-yourself solution to automate a drip system or hose end sprinklers
* Connect to an outdoor faucet with no tools required
* Can be battery powered (BO9D) or light powered (EVO 100-battery free)
* Should never be connected to a PVC or copper mainline
* For outdoor use only
* Install the DIG D52 Y splitter on faucet to use a timer and garden hose on a single faucet
Head Assembly Components
* Includes the backflow preventer, Y filter, pressure regulator, pressure regulating filter, and swivel adapters
* Can be either “Hose” threads or “Pipe” threads
* Use “hose” thread types (D57A, D46, D45, C34) when connecting to a faucet, hose end timer, or conversion elbow (Q59)
* Use “pipe” thread types (D46P, D55, D54, 50001) when starting from an inline or anti-siphon irrigation valve
* Do not install the pre-set regulators (D46, D46P) on a main line subject to continuous pressure
* Male pipe thread components need to be wrapped with 4-6 layers of Teflon tape to prevent leaks
* Hose thread fittings & components seal against a washer so no Teflon tape is necessary
* Male and female pipe and hose thread fittings and components will appear to screw together but thread damage and leaks will occur if they are connected
Compression Fittings
* Never install as a main-line under continuous pressure
* If unsure of your tubing OD, use DIG’s universal Nut Lock fittings
* The fittings fit over the outside of the poly tubing
* No glues or tools required to install
* Compression fittings are not designed to be “re-used”
* The poly tubing is “compressed” as it is forced into the compression fitting
* The ends (inserts) are color coded by size
* Blue inserts fit .710” poly tubing
* Black inserts fit .700” poly tubing
* Green inserts fit .620” poly tubing
* Compression fittings are rated up to 60 psi.
Retrofit Products
* A group of products designed to convert a conventional PVC sprinkler system into a drip irrigation system
* These products have a 1⁄2” female thread inlet to screw on to a 1⁄2” sprinkler riser
* Install multi-outlet drip heads (A4, AD6 or Maverick 12 outlet) and 1⁄4” microtubing to reach plants that are near the riser
* Install the DSR or Q59 and connect 1⁄2” poly tubing to water numerous plants that are not near the 1⁄2” riser
* To connect 1⁄2” poly tubing to 1⁄2” PVC pipe, use the D48 adapter
