Air Bleed Valves

Proper placement is key to stopping air locks and vacuum siphoning.

Step 1: Identify High Points
Locate the highest physical elevations along your mainline tubing. If your property has multiple separate hills, identify the peak of each zone.

Step 2: Install a Threaded Tee
Cut your mainline at the highest point and install a PVC or Easy-Loc Tee that features a Female Pipe Thread (FPT) port facing upward.

Step 3: Apply Teflon Tape
Wrap the Male Pipe Thread (MPT) base of the Air Bleed Valve with 2 to 3 layers of Teflon tape to ensure a watertight seal.

Step 4: Thread and Orient
Thread the valve into the FPT tee. Hand-tighten until secure. Crucial: The valve must be oriented perfectly upright (vertical) for the internal float to operate correctly.

How do Air Bleed Valves protect my drip system during daily summer watering cycles?
Daily summer watering means frequent system startups and shutdowns. The valve continuously releases trapped air during startup to prevent water hammer, and lets air in upon shutdown to stop dirt from clogging emitters.

In peak summer heat, clogged emitters can cause plants to die in a matter of days. Preventing the "suck-back" effect on hillside gardens is critical for maintaining reliable hydration.

Where exactly should I install an Air Bleed Valve on my irrigation line?
Always install the Air Bleed Valve at the highest elevation point of your irrigation mainline. If your property has multiple significant elevation peaks, install one valve at the top of each individual peak.

Because air naturally rises to the highest point in a closed pipe system, placing the valve anywhere else will render it ineffective at removing trapped air pockets.

Does the Air Bleed Valve require manual operation?
No, the Air Bleed Valve is fully automatic. An internal float drops to open the valve when pressure falls below 5 PSI, and rises to seal the port when the system pressurizes.

You do not need to manually open or close this valve when running your irrigation timer. It operates entirely on the physics of water pressure and gravity.

What fittings do I need to connect the Air Bleed Valve?
You will need a PVC or poly irrigation fitting with a Female Pipe Thread (FPT) port that matches the Male Pipe Thread (MPT) base size of your chosen valve.

For example, if you purchase the 3/4" Air Bleed Valve, you will need a 3/4" FPT tee or adapter inserted into your mainline to screw the valve into. Always use Teflon tape on the threads.