Handy Helpful Blog

At Edwards Enterprises we install and repair a lot of drip irrigation systems. They are a great way to efficiently water plants in our Southern California climate.

When installing a DIY drip irrigation system, selecting the right components is key to ensuring reliability, efficiency, and ease of maintenance. The size of your garden, plant types, or water source will play a part in what works best for your needs, but we thought it may be handy to have a general idea of the parts you would need (and the parts we often use) to install a DIY drip system. Here’s a list of some of the best components (based on functionality, durability, and user-friendliness), along with recommended options where applicable:

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Core Components

1. Backflow Preventer

• Purpose: Prevents dirty water from flowing back into your home’s water supply.
• Recommended:
  • Rain Bird 3/4 in. Threaded Drip Irrigation Backflow Preventer
  • DIG D45 100 PSI Backflow Preventer

2. Pressure Regulator

• Purpose: Reduces water pressure to safe levels (usually 15–30 PSI for drip systems).
• Recommended:
  • Rain Bird PR07530 (30 PSI)
  • DIG PRV075

3. Filter

• Purpose: Removes sediment and debris to prevent clogging emitters.
• Recommended:
  • Y-filter with 150–200 mesh (e.g., Raindrip R620CT, Rain Bird Y54007)

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Tubing & Connectors

4. Mainline Tubing (½” or 5/8″)

• Purpose: The primary supply line for your system.
• Recommended:
  • Rain Bird ½” Tubing (XQ series – durable and UV-resistant)
  • DIG ½” Poly Drip Tubing

5. Drip Tubing (¼” Distribution Tubing)

• Purpose: Extends from mainline tubing to emitters or plants.
• Recommended:
  • Raindrip ¼” Vinyl Tubing
  • Rain Bird Emitter Tubing (has pre-installed emitters)

6. Fittings & Connectors

• Purpose: Connect or split tubing (barbed or compression types).
• Recommended:
  • Barbed Elbows, Tees, Couplings (e.g., Orbit, DIG, Rain Bird)
  • Goof Plugs (for sealing holes you don’t need anymore)

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Water Delivery (Emitters & Drippers)

7. Emitters / Drippers

• Purpose: Deliver water slowly and directly to plant roots.
• Types: Fixed flow (e.g., 1 GPH, 2 GPH) or pressure-compensating
• Recommended:
  • Rain Bird Pressure-Compensating Emitters (PC Drippers)
  • Netafim Techline Dripline (built-in emitters – great for rows)
  • DIG Adjustable Drippers (for more control)

8. Dripline / Soaker Hose

• Purpose: Great for garden beds or rows of plants.
• Recommended:
  • Netafim Dripline
  • Rain Bird Landscape Dripline

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Automation (Optional but Useful)

9. Hose-End Timer

• Purpose: Automates watering schedules.
• Recommended:
  • Orbit B-hyve Smart Hose Timer
  • Raindrip Analog Timer

10. Zone Manifolds (for splitting lines)

• Purpose: Split one water source into multiple zones.
• Recommended:
  • Orbit Manifold Systems
  • Rain Bird Drip Manifolds

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Extras & Accessories

• Punch Tool – To create holes in mainline tubing
• Tubing Stakes – Secure tubing in place
• End Caps or Figure-8 End Closures – Seal the ends of tubing
• Flow Control Valves – Control flow to specific zones

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Pro Tips for Success

• Stick with one brand where possible to ensure compatibility (Rain Bird, DIG, Orbit, Raindrip).
• Check your water pressure before buying components.
• Use pressure-compensating emitters for uneven terrain.
• Layout and test above ground first, then bury or stake everything once you’re satisfied.

With a little planning, some hard work and the right parts you can install your own drip system. If you’d rather have help, Edwards Enterprises is here for you. We install irrigation systems or make repairs to existing systems all the time. Contact us and we’d be glad to work with you.