How to Add Sprinkler Hoses to an Existing Irrigation Drip System

A drip irrigation system uses PVC piping to deliver water to small drip or sprinkler fittings. The system uses a single header line connected to the water supply, and smaller bore sprinkler lines to place the irrigation fixtures at the exact location where you need water. Extending the irrigation system to meet changing irrigation needs is as simple as adding a new line to the header piping and adding the appropriate fixture. If changes require you to abandon an extension line, a barbed plug seals the hole from the original attachment.

Piercing tool
¼-inch irrigation tubing
Various irrigation fittings

Instructions

- 1
  Expose the header line in the location where you are attaching the extension line. Drip irrigation systems are generally routed above ground and hidden beneath a layer of mulch. If the header line is buried, dig up only the section that will feed the extension.
- 2
  Pierce the header line with a piercing tool and insert the barbed connector in the hole. Plugs are available if you make a mistake or need to modify the irrigation of your landscape later.
- 3
  Cut a length of ¼-inch hose sufficient to reach from the header line to the proposed location of the emitter or sprinkler fitting.
- 4
  Insert the irrigation fitting into the extension hose.
- 5
  Cover the header pipe with the mulch and replace any landscape staples that you pulled in the process of adding the extension hose.

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