Are there different drip rates in soaker hoses? I'm talking about the
ones with built-in emitters every 12-18". I've had to replace some
sections of my drip irrigation system, but some of the emitters only
drip a fraction of what the others drip.

(Fleemo) wrote:

Are there different drip rates in soaker hoses? I'm talking about the
ones with built-in emitters every 12-18". I've had to replace some
sections of my drip irrigation system, but some of the emitters only
drip a fraction of what the others drip.

They are probably clogged. Can you replace them?


Tsu

--
To doubt everything or to believe everything
are two equally convenient solutions; both
dispense with the necessity of reflection.
- Jules Henri Poincaré

Fleemo wrote:
Are there different drip rates in soaker hoses? I'm talking about the
ones with built-in emitters every 12-18". I've had to replace some
sections of my drip irrigation system, but some of the emitters only
drip a fraction of what the others drip.

Yes. The package should show a GPH (gallons per hour) or LPH (liters per
hour) rating. If you bought them in bulk, the box on the shelf would
tell you. The brands I've seen use colors so one can visually tell the
difference.

Or some of them could just be clogged. Whenever you open up the hose,
such as when you're replacing or adding an emitter, you run the danger
of a little dirt getting into the line. Try removing the end cap at the
far end, and then turn on the water to flush any dirt out the far end.
(If you use a pressure regulator on the line, it might help to remove it
for this, but make sure that you don't use so much water pressure that
you blow parts of the line apart.)

--
Warren H.

==========
Disclaimer: My views reflect those of myself, and not my
employer, my friends, nor (as she often tells me) my wife.
Any resemblance to the views of anybody living or dead is
coincidental. No animals were hurt in the writing of this
response -- unless you count my dog who desperately wants
to go outside now.

Yes Tsu, I can replace them by cutting out the section of hose and
replacing it with a new section, but that's kinda how I got into
trouble in the first place.

Warren, they are indeed a different color. Most of the line has green
plastic in the emitters, while the new, unsatisfactory ones have
yellow plastic. I didn't think to check the box for the drip rate,
assuming a hose is a hose. :/

Guess I'll have to try and find some green emittered hoses and do a
lot of replacement work.

-Fleemo



Yes. The package should show a GPH (gallons per hour) or LPH (liters per
hour) rating. If you bought them in bulk, the box on the shelf would
tell you. The brands I've seen use colors so one can visually tell the
difference.

Or some of them could just be clogged. Whenever you open up the hose,
such as when you're replacing or adding an emitter, you run the danger
of a little dirt getting into the line. Try removing the end cap at the
far end, and then turn on the water to flush any dirt out the far end.
(If you use a pressure regulator on the line, it might help to remove it
for this, but make sure that you don't use so much water pressure that
you blow parts of the line apart.)

--
Warren H.

==========
Disclaimer: My views reflect those of myself, and not my
employer, my friends, nor (as she often tells me) my wife.
Any resemblance to the views of anybody living or dead is
coincidental. No animals were hurt in the writing of this
response -- unless you count my dog who desperately wants
to go outside now.