When installing dripline with a check valve (CV), the pressure is critical to ensure that the emitters open and provide the specified flow rate.

Landscape Products EZ-ID CV requires a minimum opening pressure of 12.0 psi at the emitter. Other CV dripline emitters require higher opening pressures—Techline CV is 14.5 psi and Rain Bird XFCV is 20 psi.

Pressure-compensating (PC) dripline (without check valves) is a little more forgiving, as it has a lower opening pressure and will emit water at lower pressures. Contractors must be aware of this when adding or replacing dripline with a check valve on an existing pressure-compensated installation.

As with sprinklers and rotary heads, two factors come into play with dripline installations: the available flow and the outlet pressure from the drip control zone kit.

Let’s use an example of 12 gpm available and a 25 psi control zone kit. If we use 0.6 gph dripline with 12 inch emitter spacing, we can only install a maximum 1,200 feet of dripline with no single run greater than 255 feet.

A great rule of thumb for dripline installation challenges is to ask, “How would I do this if I were installing sprinklers?” The hydraulic solutions are the same.

Learn more about how the check valve on the EZ-ID CV dripline can help conserve water and protect against debris in the dripline.