Landscaping - Drip Irrigation

Have an inground irrigation system with 10 zones. put in a pool last year and removed the heads and some lines where the pool was dug. I want to use this zone for drip irrigation or something to water just the shrubbery planted around the pool. Don't want rotary heads like I have (hunter pgp) and not sure about the little spritzers. I guess what I am thinking of is one of those soaker hoses, but want a more permanent installation and want to utilize the main 1" feed lines already in the ground.

Also don't think my rain sensor is working, any way to test it other than soaking it with the hose? Had a good inch or two of rain and it never shut off, and it's set to 1/2 inch.

Thanks.

You can use this old feed line to supply water for a drip zone with a few small modifications.

1. If you are under high pressure you should install a pressure reducing valve, or a pressure reducing valve in-line (on the pipe itself). If you don't have high pressure, skip this step. Or skip this step and add these things later if the pipes keep blowing off the fittings or other signs of high pressure.

2. If you want, you can install a filter package made to go on valves to keep out dirt or sediment from collecting and clogging the dripline. If you are using city water this should not be neccessary.

3. Plan where you want the pipes to go and try to connect to the drip tube in at least 2 places, forming loops (so each line/run you have is fed from both directions).


Is your rain sensor hardwired or does it use batteries? Another possibility is that your rain sensor has been bypassed in some manner--either a switch or a button.

Had over 1.5 inches of rain yesterday, and I just checked the control panel and the rain sensor turned the system off, it's working. It's hardwired with an override switch.

Drip irrigation - I have well water with substantial pressure, so I will look for a pressure reducing valve - can this be found at a local Home Depot or Lowes? Is there a standard type of drip tube I should purchase? Should this lay on the surface? I will be placing 2-4" of small stone all throughout the landscape, and would like to at least bury the drip tube under this stone while keeping it above grade.

I have 1" tubing for the sprinkler feed lines, but can always get fittings to connect drip tube. Is this a better alternative than little pop up spritzers?

Thanks.

As for dripline. Here is a type offered by Rainbird:

http://store.rainbird.com/shopexd.asp?id=710

I think this is the stuff readily available at big box stores. Choose the one best suited for your needs.

Here is an example of a pressure recucer (where you dont have to put in a new valve):

http://store.rainbird.com/shopexd.asp?id=695&bc=no

You could attach this right where you have exposed pipe. You will need to put teflon tape on it if it has threads but do not use any liquid joint compound or putty--this will cause you problems later on. Just the white tape. Just make sure it is compatible with the pipe you have.

Glad to hear your rain sensor works.


As far as laying out this dripline is involved... when your well/pump runs is it pressure driven or is it run from a pump start relay?