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Why Do My Drip Irrigation Lines Keep Popping Off?

Using a dripline irrigation system is a great way to water your landscaping plants while conserving water. A drip irrigation system is made up of tubing with emitters to evenly distribute water, connectors to mend lengths of tubing together, and a low flow valve to control water pressure. When your dripline irrigation system is working as it should, you may not ever notice it watering because it irrigates at ground surface and subsurface unlike sprinklers that emit water above ground. They emit water slowly and are installed underneath the mulch in plant beds, sometimes under sod, to help water your North Dallas yard. Every now and again, however, some of the drip tubing in your system may pop off, resulting in a stream of water spraying in the air or flooding the garden bed or sidewalk. We have included several possible failure causes to help you troubleshoot your sprinkler system and find out why your dripline keeps popping off the connectors.

Dripline Tubing is Worn

Most high-quality dripline tubing is made of polyethylene plastic. The tubing has a very thin wall and can become stretched and worn if subjected to high water pressure over an extended period of time. In addition, if your drip line is uncovered and exposed to direct sunlight and extreme temperatures, the tubing can be compromised.

Water Pressure Too High

Common name-brand drip tubing has an operating range between 10 psi and 60 psi. If the water pressure passing through the tubing exceeds 60 psi, you may see it pop off where attached to the barbed fittings.

Dripline Tubing is Damaged

If the dripline tubing has become damaged, it may separate from the connectors and leak water. Dripline irrigation tubing can easily be damaged by a sharp object, rock, or animal, exposure to the elements, or can occasionally be defective from the factory. Make sure to always test drip irrigation for leaks prior to covering your plant beds with mulch, especially those with stone flower bed borders built around them, because excess water can damage stonework if allowed to sit under the footing.

Faulty Pressure Regulator

A drip irrigation system requires a low-flow valve with a pressure regulator to lower the water pressure. If the pressure regulator fails and water pressure exceeds 60 psi, the tubing may pop off at connection points. If this happens, you’ll need to contact a professional irrigator, as this indicates your sprinkler system needs to be fixed.

Clogged Emitters

There are in-line drip emitters inside of the drip tubing that evenly distribute irrigation water to plants; these are the punctures or holes along the tube. If these emitters become clogged with mud or debris, the pressure inside the tubing may rise high enough that it bursts.

Incorrect Tubing Size

Dripline tubing is available in several sizes. Some of the most common sizes are 13mm, 17mm, 19mm, and .5″. The dripline tubing in your irrigation system should be the proper size to fit the corresponding connectors. If the tubing size is the wrong fit, it would certainly separate from the connectors, causing a water leak.

Incorrect Connector Size

Barbed fittings are used to connect lengths of drip tubing together. If the tubing and connectors aren’t compatible with one another, they will likely pop off when you activate the drip zone valve.

Improper Installation

Unlike an irrigation system comprised of PVC pipes and connectors that are glued together in zones with sprinkler heads, drip irrigation uses a push-on barbed connector to join pieces of tubing together. This is possible because drip irrigation systems utilize a low-pressure valve. If the tubing and connectors are improperly installed without fully seating them together, then the tubing may become disconnected and leak irrigation water.