Troubleshooting Your Drip System |
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If your drip system is not delivering enough water, try the following remedies: |
| Filter: |
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Check the filter to make sure that it is clean. A clogged filter can completely slow or stop the flow of water. |
| Kinks: |
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| Water will not flow through kinked tubing. If tubing is kinked, push the kink round again with your fingers. If tubing is kinked when changing direction, cut the kink out and install an elbow or tee fitting. |
| Dirt in the tubing: |
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Sand, silt and dirt in the supply lines can completely clog the drippers or sprinklers. The solution is to take special care when first assembling the drip system. Flush each set of tubing as you go. Flush the faucet assembly first. Then assemble and flush the supply tubing. Assemble and flush each header and then each row one at a time before you add any drippers.
Flush the system at the end of the season and again at the beginning of the season by opening the end stop of each row starting with the closest row. When you repair or install a drip system, tape the end of any tubing that may be dragged through dirt to keep soil out. If enough dirt gets in the system and clogs the drippers, you may have to flush the system and replace the drippers. |
| Air: |
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Small bubbles of air can accumulate in the tubing of a drip system and can completely stop the flow of water. When you start up your drip system, listen for the whistling sound from the drippers that tell you that air in the system is escaping as it should. If the air does not escape, or the water is not flowing properly, open the ends of tubing or components closest to your water source one at a time. Make sure that water is flowing and listen for bubbles of air. Air will accumulate at the high points of the system. If air is a chronic problem, you will have to install an air release/vacuum relief valve. Contact us for details. |
| Backward components: |
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Some components will not permit water to flow if they are installed backwards. Watch for an arrow on the sides of filters, pressure regulators and timers that indicate the direction of flow. Water will not flow through a pressure-compensating dripper installed backward. The direction of flow for various drippers is described in the product description of each type of dripper and shows in the photo illustration for each dripper in our online store |
| Not enough water: |
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| Sprinklers and sprayers require a much higher rate of flow than drippers. If the volume of water or the pressure from your water source is too low, output from sprinklers can diminish or stop completely. If your water source cannot adequately supply your sprinklers, you may have to set up two or more zones so that the water pressure and flow is sufficient. |
More troubleshooting: |
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| If you still cannot figure out why your drip system is not performing, reinstall the system. Disconnect all components back to the parts you know are working well. Keep all parts clean. Add components one at a time until the system shows the problem. |
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