How to Stop a Drip System Leak

A drip irrigation system saves time, water and weeding in outdoor gardens. The simplest system is of half-inch polyvinyl hose, with drip emitters to saturate soil around root zones without watering where you don't want it. Drip systems can develop leaks from foot traffic, cuts from gardening or landscaping tools, or because the pipe and emitters become brittle with age. Leaks are easy and inexpensive to fix.

Garden clippers
Measuring tape
Half-inch hose
Tube connectors
Hole punch
Drip emitters

Instructions

- 1
  Remove endcaps and run water to flush hoses and emitters. Replace the endcaps and run again. Examine your hose for water in areas where it should not be dripping, such as around holes where emitters are located.
- 2
  Cut away either side of the leaking area with garden clippers. Insert a half-inch straight tube connector firmly halfway into one side of the cut pipe, then do the same with the other side. Run your system to test for leaks.
- 3
  Cut away several inches of hose on either side of the leak when you have a larger leak, such as a split hose. Measure and cut a corresponding length of hose and insert pipe connectors firmly into either end. Fit the new length of hose with the original hose using the two connectors. Run water to test for leaks.
- 4
  Cut away the leak, if leak is in or near a drip emitter, and connect hose with a pipe connector. Replace emitter, using hole punch, and insert emitter into the hole. Run water to check for leaks.

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