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Drip emitters (image 1) are the small plastic devices used to control the flow of water from the main drip line (image 2) of a drip zone. Emitters are manufactured to regulate water in hourly intervals, starting with 1/2 gallon, to 1 gallon, 2 gallons, 5 gallons, and even 10 gallons per hour. This gives customers the option in choosing how much water to give to a plant, and can allow better distribution of water to a plant's root system.
For example:
If you want to give a newly planted tree 10 gallons of water each time the drip system is running, you could either use a single 10 gallon emitter, two-5 gallon emitters, or five-2 gallon emitters. We would recommend using five-2 gallon emitters, which would allow you to get the same amount of water to the plant, and in five different locations above the tree's root system.
A drip emitter has a pointed end and a blunt end. The pointed end is pressed into the main drip line (image 3) until secured into the pipe. This can be done with your hands, or with a small plastic tool designed specifically for this process. (you should be able to find this tool at any store where drip system components are sold) Test the security of the emitter by pulling it with a fair amount of force. It shouldn't pop out.
Generally, emitters are not close enough to every plant you wish to water. For this, you need to install 1/4 inch (spaghetti) tubing. This tubing is pressed over the entire blunt end of the emitter (image 4), and bridges the gap between emitter and plant. Cut the 1/4 inch tubing to the desired length. We recommend pinning the tubing down with a metal fabric pin (image 5), and covering it with wood or rock mulch.
The only downfall of a drip system is being able to diagnose a problem. Since there is no visible spraying, it is hard to find exactly where a kink or clog may be. Your plants may be stressed beyond revitalization before you even know something is wrong. Regularly checking the moisture around the base of your plants is probably the best way to monitor your system. And remember that it is possible to overload the system. The more emitters on your main drip line, the lower the water pressure.
If built properly, drip systems are excellent methods for conserving water while maintaining a beautiful landscape. Please contact one of our project managers with any questions regarding drip irrigation.
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