Drip Irrigation Checklist: Startup

Drip irrigation is a smart watering method that delivers water directly to plants' roots through valves, filters, tubing, and emitters. However, these systems often remain idle between crop rotations and extreme winters and are susceptible to weather, critters, or wear and tear damage.

Starting up a drip irrigation system after a period of inactivity follows a similar procedure to installing a new one. So, before you start watering your plants, it is necessary to conduct a thorough maintenance check of your drip irrigation system. These checks will help identify and fix blockages, leakages, or equipment malfunctions that will affect your irrigation efficiency.

No matter if you're starting up a new drip irrigation or updating an existing one, this post will provide an easy-to-follow drip irrigation startup checklist to prepare your irrigation system for this growing season.

Drip Irrigation Startup Checklist

1. Check for Damage

During the off-season, exposure to sunlight, weather, or even critters can cause damage to drip irrigation components. So, the first task in your startup checklist should be inspecting the drip irrigation system and spotting any damaged or worn parts.

Carefully inspect the drip lines, pipes, pump, valves, emitters, and filters for any visible holes, cracks, leaks, clogging, or other signs of wear and tear. These issues can irreversibly damage your drip irrigation system, costing money, time, and even crop losses if the plants don't get enough water.

If you identify any damage, replace the faulty part immediately before restoring the system. Replacing any damaged and non-working components before planting will save you from bigger problems in the growing season.

Read More: How to Find and Resolve Leaks in Drip Irrigation System

2. Verify Piping and Sizing

Pipelines are an important component of the drip irrigation system, transferring water from the pump through valves and filters to the drippers. If you want your drip irrigation to operate smoothly and for longer, you should be careful when choosing the pipeline material and size.

PVC piping is commonly used throughout the irrigation system or often combined with steel pipes at the pump station. Ensure all pipelines, including sub-mains and distribution pipes, are appropriately sized.

Choose a pipe size that can supply a safe volume of water without exceeding the safe velocity or restricting the flow rate. Too small pipes may restrict water flow, while oversized pipes can lead to uneven watering and have higher installation costs.

Before starting your irrigation system, verify that the piping is securely bolted and anchored to the infrastructure. Pipelines are usually connected with friction fittings, welds, or glue. Wet spots or drips might indicate there's a leak that needs fixing.

Properly sizing and securing pipes correctly at startup will deliver the right amount of water to your plants and save you expensive repairs later.

For more information, check out our pipe sizing chart guide.

3. Check Water Pressure

Before checking the water flow rate, check that the water pressure in your system is within the required range.

Drip irrigation systems generally operate best within a 10-30 PSI pressure range. Too much pressure can damage the drip emitters, tubing, and fittings, while too little pressure can lead to inadequate water flow.

Here's how to test the water pressure:

• Attach a pressure gauge to key points in the system, such as the head of the system, the head of each irrigation zone, and the inlet and end of some drip lines.
• Turn on the water supply and read the gauge.
• Compare the pressure reading with your system's specifications.

If the pressure is too high, install or replace a pressure regulator to reduce it to a sustainable level. If pressure is too low, check for leaks and clogs. Valves are also used to control water pressure, flow, and distribution. Proper pressure regulation prevents common drip irrigation problems like dry spots and ensures even water distribution to your plants.

4. Check the Water Flow

Checking the water flow rate helps detect whether your system's water source can supply the right amount of water to the irrigation system. A drop-in flow rate over time may indicate clogged emitters, while a higher flow rate can mean there are leaks in the system.

Here is how to test the water flow through your drip irrigation:

• Turn on the system and observe the water output at the emitters. Each emitter has a specific flow rate that works at a certain pressure. Uneven or weak drips may indicate a clog.
• A water meter installed at the head of the drip irrigation system can monitor the flow rate for the entire system (in gallons per minute (GPM).
• You can also use a bucket and timer to measure the flow rate at the mainline. For example, collect water for one minute and calculate the GPM to compare with your system requirements.

If the flow is lower than expected, inspect emitters, tubing, and filters for clogs caused by dirt, debris, or salt buildup.

How to Fix Flow Issues

• Clean clogged emitters by soaking them in water or vinegar.
• Run water through the system at a high enough velocity (0.3 meters/second or 1 foot/second) to clear out debris and maintain consistent flow.

You should regularly monitor the water flow through the system, ideally once a week. It will even help distribute water to your plants and keep your system operating smoothly.

If your irrigation system requires more water than your water source provides, consider zoning out your irrigation system.

If you are checking your flow rate at the water source, you can use the DripWorks Flow Rate Calculator.

Read More: How to Resolve Water Flow Issues within Your Drip Irrigation System

5. Check and Clean Filters

Filters are essential to a drip irrigation system, even if you're using clean, potable water. At a minimum, you must install a basic screen filter. Filters keep dirt and debris out of the water, preventing clogs in the tubing and emitters.

Visually inspect the filtration medium and all other filter components before starting up your drip irrigation for the season. Inspect for cracks or leaks that could affect performance. A drop in water pressure across the filter often means it may be clogged and need cleaning.

For screen filters, remove the screen and wash it with pressurized water. Use a brush to remove dirt and replace the screen if it's torn or damaged. For disk filters, remove the disks, rinse them thoroughly, and scrub off any stuck particles before reassembling them.

Clean filters regularly throughout the growing season to ensure proper water flow, protect the system from clogs, and maintain an even water flow rate for your plants.

6. Inspect Irrigation Controllers

Before starting your drip irrigation system, ensure the irrigation controller works well. The irrigation controller, also known as the water timer, is a device that automates watering schedules, saving time and ensuring consistent watering.

Here's the checklist for irrigation controllers:

• Turn on the controller and run a test cycle to see if irrigation valves, pumps, and filters are activated and controlled at the right time.
• If you notice any discrepancies, update the settings. Set the watering schedule based on plant needs and weather conditions.
• Make sure all wires and connections are secure and operating accurately.
• If your controller uses batteries, replace them to avoid malfunctions.

Regular inspections and updates lead to the system's optimal performance, minimum labor requirements, and increased yields.

Also Read: All About Irrigation Controller or Water Timer

Replacing or Updating the Drip Irrigation System

Like any regular system, drip irrigation systems require routine maintenance and care to stay operational. Along with seasonal tasks like spring startups and winter shutdowns, it is important to assess whether your system needs repair or replacement.

The life of a drip irrigation system depends upon its maintenance. Neglecting routine maintenance might result in serious problems, such as clogged driplines that can damage crops and require costly replacements. Moreover, you must repair or replace immediately broken or malfunctioning parts with components that meet the system's design criteria.

Outdated or damaged equipment can greatly reduce efficiency, so focus on key areas like replacing clogged or inefficient emitters, upgrading to high-capacity filters if debris is an issue, swapping out cracked or worn tubing, and ensuring pressure regulators meet system requirements.

You can find high-quality repair kits at DripWorks to help replace essential components.

The Bottom Line

This drip irrigation startup checklist is a quick and helpful tool to visually inspect the functioning of your drip irrigation system. Taking the time to inspect and repair your system before the season starts will prevent bigger problems later.

DripWorks is the best choice for gardeners looking for tools and resources to replace or update their drip irrigation setup. Our calculators, repair kits, and product guides can help you enhance your system efficiency and garden's sustainability.