To find a drip irrigation leak, run the zone and walk the line looking for wet soil, a spray, or plants that are drowning or wilting. Most leaks come from a cracked tube, a missing emitter or a loose fitting, and you can fix them with a few dollars in parts. In Arizona, sun-baked tubing, hard-water buildup and chewing animals cause most of the damage.
Time: about 30 to 60 minutes. Skill: easy to moderate.
What do you need?
- Replacement emitters or drip heads
- Repair couplings that match your tubing size (1/2 inch is common)
- Tubing cutters or sharp scissors
- A few extra tubing stakes and a bucket of warm water
- A flashlight and gloves
How do you find the leak?
Signs include soggy ground, a puddle, a geyser, plants that look drowned or dry, or low pressure at the end of the line. Also check your water meter. Turn off everything that uses water, then watch the meter's small leak dial. If it moves, water is going somewhere.
How do you fix a drip irrigation leak?
- Turn on one zone at the timer or valve, so you can see where water is coming from. Walk the full line.
- Look for the common causes. A pulled-out emitter leaves a hole. A tube chewed by rodents or rabbits leaks along its length. Old tubing exposed to the sun turns stiff and brittle, then splits. Fittings can pop apart when the line shifts.
- Turn the zone off.
- For a missing emitter, push a new emitter into the hole or plug the hole with a goof plug.
- For a split in the tube, cut out the damaged section with a clean square cut. Dip the cut ends in warm water for a minute so the plastic softens. Push on a repair coupling and make sure it seats fully. Clamp if the coupling requires it.
- For a loose fitting, pull it apart, check it for dirt or cracks, and push it back on firmly. Replace it if it is cracked.
- Check the ends. Each line should end in a cap or a flush end that can be opened. Flush the line for a minute with the end open to clear dirt, then close it.
- Turn the zone on again and watch for a few minutes. Anchor the tubing with stakes so it does not move.
What about clogged emitters?
Arizona's hard water leaves mineral scale in emitters. If a plant looks dry while the others are fine, take the emitter out and soak it in white vinegar for a few hours. Replace it if it does not clear. Also clean the screen in the filter at the start of the line.
Timer and valve tips
- Replace the timer's batteries before summer. A dead battery can skip waterings.
- Water early in the morning to reduce loss from heat.
- If a valve will not shut off and the zone drips constantly, the valve may be worn, which is often a job for a pro.
When to call a pro
Call a pro if you have a wet spot with the system off, water bubbling from the ground, a main line break, a buried pipe under pavers or concrete, or a valve that leaks. Before any real digging, call 811 to have underground utilities marked. Here are local landscapers in the directory, with phone numbers:
Check a contractor's license at roc.az.gov. You can ask the helper if you are not sure who to call.
Questions people ask
How do I know if my drip system has a leak?
Look for wet ground, a puddle, or plants that are doing poorly. You can also check your water meter with all water off. If the leak dial moves, water is escaping somewhere.
Why does my drip tubing crack?
Arizona sun makes plastic brittle over time. Tubing that has been exposed for many years is likely to split. Covering it with mulch or rock helps protect it.
How often should I check my drip system?
Once a month in summer is a good habit. Run each zone and look for wet spots, clogged emitters and loose fittings.
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