Drip Irrigation – A Simple But Essential Maintenance Task Before the Onset of the Irrigation Season
The life span of dripper lines is usually up to 10-15 years, as mineral deposits in the water eventually make the line inoperable. However, neglecting to wash out the system periodically will significantly reduce their operable life span. I've seen drippers block up after 3 or 4 years when this simple routine task is ignored.
There are two ways to do this – a simple way and a better one. Needless to say, professionals choose the latter, but let’s start with the simple, obvious method. Where the drip irrigation lines have been closed-off and tied-up at their ends, simply open each end of line and after turning on the tap, allow the water to flow out for about 5-10 minutes. As you should do this separately for every single line, the method is both laborious and wasteful of water.
It is preferable then to connect the end of the dripper pipes to a “collector” pipe, just as they are connected to a “feeder pipe” at the head of the line. This creates a closed drip system, which not only makes for better operating pressure, but allows for the periodic flushing to be carried out far for efficiently. This is what you need.
Connect a short, 3/4inch vertical pipe to the end of the collector pipe via an elbow connector. At the end of the 3/4in pipe connect another elbow and on to that a cheap, plastic tap, which has threads on both ends, so that a hose can be attached to it.
When you are ready to flush out the dripper lines, turn on the main tap so that the pipes start to emit water, and then turn on the plastic tap to which, as mentioned, a short piece of hose is connected. Flush the line for about 5-10 minutes, while using the water coming out of the hose for some useful purpose such as watering new plants.
The great advantage of doing things properly is that they end up getting done! We all tend to give up on something if it becomes tiresome, time-consuming, and messy. That is what usually happens when the drippers are not made into a closed system as described. The simple task of flushing the lines is neglected and forgotten, only for the dripper pipes to block up far sooner than necessary. So as winter draws to a close, do not forget to carry out this irrigation maintenance task that is so simple but essential for a dry climate and water conserving garden.
There are two ways to do this – a simple way and a better one. Needless to say, professionals choose the latter, but let’s start with the simple, obvious method. Where the drip irrigation lines have been closed-off and tied-up at their ends, simply open each end of line and after turning on the tap, allow the water to flow out for about 5-10 minutes. As you should do this separately for every single line, the method is both laborious and wasteful of water.
It is preferable then to connect the end of the dripper pipes to a “collector” pipe, just as they are connected to a “feeder pipe” at the head of the line. This creates a closed drip system, which not only makes for better operating pressure, but allows for the periodic flushing to be carried out far for efficiently. This is what you need.
Connect a short, 3/4inch vertical pipe to the end of the collector pipe via an elbow connector. At the end of the 3/4in pipe connect another elbow and on to that a cheap, plastic tap, which has threads on both ends, so that a hose can be attached to it.
When you are ready to flush out the dripper lines, turn on the main tap so that the pipes start to emit water, and then turn on the plastic tap to which, as mentioned, a short piece of hose is connected. Flush the line for about 5-10 minutes, while using the water coming out of the hose for some useful purpose such as watering new plants.
The great advantage of doing things properly is that they end up getting done! We all tend to give up on something if it becomes tiresome, time-consuming, and messy. That is what usually happens when the drippers are not made into a closed system as described. The simple task of flushing the lines is neglected and forgotten, only for the dripper pipes to block up far sooner than necessary. So as winter draws to a close, do not forget to carry out this irrigation maintenance task that is so simple but essential for a dry climate and water conserving garden.
posted by Jonathan at 3:03 AM
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