Irrigation thread.

Cole_Robbie · August 27, 2012

I set up about three acres on drip irrigation this year. It worked very well, except it seems like every fitting I connect always leaks a little. The drip-into-header barbed fitting requires a punch, which I used in two different sizes for two different fittings, as well as some drilled with a drill bit. I can never seem to get one to not leak. My city water is expensive and I am trying not to waste any. Plus, the weeds grow up wherever the line leaks.

The other connections leak, too, the ones where the drip tape goes over the round fitting and the plastic piece screws down to hold it. My problem is that the fitting is round, but the drip tape is flat on the spool and has creases on the side, and it leaks around those creases. I don't understand how to make drip tape that isn't round seal onto a fitting that is round.

Thanks in advance for the help. I won't need to set up irrigation again until next summer, so I have time to figure out what I was doing wrong.

August 27, 2012	#10
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	Why do my drip fittings always leak? I set up about three acres on drip irrigation this year. It worked very well, except it seems like every fitting I connect always leaks a little. The drip-into-header barbed fitting requires a punch, which I used in two different sizes for two different fittings, as well as some drilled with a drill bit. I can never seem to get one to not leak. My city water is expensive and I am trying not to waste any. Plus, the weeds grow up wherever the line leaks. The other connections leak, too, the ones where the drip tape goes over the round fitting and the plastic piece screws down to hold it. My problem is that the fitting is round, but the drip tape is flat on the spool and has creases on the side, and it leaks around those creases. I don't understand how to make drip tape that isn't round seal onto a fitting that is round. Thanks in advance for the help. I won't need to set up irrigation again until next summer, so I have time to figure out what I was doing wrong.