Tools & Materials
Trenching Machine
Shovel
PVC shears
In this video, This Old House plumbing and heating contractor Richard Trethewey explains how to install a drip-irrigation system.
Steps:
1 Dig series of trenches across yard to minimum of 4 inches deep; space the trenches about 12 inches apart.
2 Run PVC pipe from water supply to trench.
3 Fabricate two manifolds out of PVC pipes and fittings.
4 Set the manifolds in trenches at opposite ends of yard.
5 Attach one manifold to the water-supply line.
6 Run series of polyethylene drip lines back and forth in across yard between the two mainfolds.
7 Attach the drip lines to the manifolds.
8 Test system for leaky fittings and to ensure the emitters are slowly dripping water.
9 Backfill the trenches and plant grass seed or lay sod.