Should I bury my drip irrigation tubing?

Author: Mrs. Leanna Glover PhD  |  Last update: Monday, September 8, 2025

This can be especially important in areas with limited water resources or in times of drought. To ensure that your drip irrigation system is as efficient and effective as possible, it's important to bury the tubing at the right depth.

Should irrigation pipes be buried?

Sprinkler pipe should be installed 8 to 12" below the final surface grade to protect pipes from the elements and possible damage (aeration etc). Pipes buried this deep will still need to be winterized to protect them from freezing conditions.

How deep to bury irrigation tubing?

A: My recommendation is to bury sprinkler lines 8-12 inches. I usually try to keep a standard depth of 10" because it provides more safety if I need to do some type of ground work so I don't have to worry about hitting lines. A walk-behind rototiller generally won't go deeper than 8".

Should drip lines be covered?

Cover Drip Lines with Mulch

This also helps reduce exposure to direct sun and heat. Note, however that you should not cover drip lines in seasonal color beds with mulch because these plants are more tender, and if too much moisture is locked in around the plant, it can create mold.

How deep should a soaker hose be buried?

It helps to bury them a few inches deep, generally 4 to 6 inches from the edge of your foundation. By burying the soaker hoses, you help to direct the water down and you also help keep the sun from deteriorating your hoses.

Can you Bury Poly Tubing? (Drip Irrigation Mainline)

Can you bury a drip line under mulch?

Drip Irrigation tubing can be buried underground and/or covered by mulch. Keep in mind that burrowing rodents, like gophers, can chew through the tubing seeking water, and with it being underground, it is harder to locate the leak.

How deep should you bury water lines?

International Plumbing Code states exterior water supply system piping should ideally lie 6 inches below the frost line and not less than 12 inches under grade for best performance.

How far apart should drip irrigation pipes be placed?

Closer spacings (0-3-0.5m) are now becoming a common trend in irrigated horticulture, regardless of soil type. This achieves a better wetting pattern in a shorter run time. Some manufacturers can produce drip line with very specific emitter spacings (eg 0.48m) upon request.

What are the mistakes to be avoided when installing irrigation and/or drainage pipes?

10 Mistakes to Avoid When Installing Landscape Irrigation Systems
  • Inadequate Planning. ...
  • Ignoring Local Regulations. ...
  • Overlooking Water Pressure. ...
  • Using Incorrect Pipe Sizes. ...
  • Improper Sprinkler Head Placement. ...
  • Neglecting Slope and Drainage Issues. ...
  • Forgetting to Install Backflow Prevention Devices.

Which pipe is not recommended to be buried underground?

Cast Iron

Despite the heat resistance and noise-dampening properties of cast iron, it's not as suitable for underground water supply as newer materials. Cast iron is not resistant to corrosion, which can compromise the quality of the water supply and damage the integrity of the piping, leading to leaks and breaks.

How to hide drip irrigation lines?

The most common way to hide your drip irrigation lines is to bury them underground. Yes, you can bury drip irrigation lines. Dip up a small trench about 4 to 5 inches deep, and run the line through the trench to your planting area. Make sure that the drip emitters face up if you decide to bury your drip line.

How long can a drip irrigation line be?

For example, the capacity for 1/2 poly tubing is 200 feet (single run length) and 200 gallons per hour (flow rate). If you have a 1/2 tubing single run length of over 200 feet, you may have inconsistent water flow at your drip emitters due to such factors as friction between the tubing walls and the water flow.

Does irrigation pipe need to be buried?

While it is possible to install drip irrigation lines above ground, burying them is recommended to prevent damage from foot traffic or animals and to maximize water efficiency.

Can you run a drip line underground?

Subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) is an underground irrigation system that delivers water directly to root zones of turfgrass or plants through a network of buried drip tubing with evenly spaced emitters. This is an efficient type of drip irrigation system that is permanently buried in the ground.

What is the best pipe for underground irrigation system?

Polyethylene is the ideal choice for those environments that require flexible tube. Rocky soil or cold climates where the soil will likely freeze are where this type of tube works best. Due to their high pressure ratings, this type of tubing is becoming more commonly used in home sprinkler systems than ever before.

How deep should drip irrigation lines be buried?

PVC pipe needs to be at least 12 inches deep, while the poly tubing used for drip irrigation only needs to be six inches deep. Digging trenches is hard work, so make the most of them by using the same trench for different landscaping needs. Irrigation and lighting wires can be run in the same trench.

How many drip lines per row?

Generally the answer will be one line or two for each row of large plants like tomatoes, and one line between two rows of small crops like lettuce. For beds with closely spaced crops, consider 12” (30 cm) as a starting point.

How deep do you bury drainage pipe?

Depth to Bury Your PVC Gutter Drain

In the south, 3 to 6 inches may be all that is needed. In Northern locations, 4 feet more more may be needed to keep the pipe from bursting in winter. If the area receives heavy traffic, consider a trench that is at least 24 to 36 inches deep, even in low frost line areas.

What is the best water line to bury underground?

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is a durable plastic pipe that is highly resistant to corrosion and impact damage. The material doesn't melt easily, which works well for underground water lines. PVC pipes also come in different diameters, so it is easy to find the right size for both residential and commercial applications.

Should you bury water pipe?

According to 'The Department of the Environment', they recommend that pipes should be buried at least 600mm (two feet) underground. At this depth, the soil acts as a natural insulator and prevents them freezing.

Should landscape fabric go over or under drip irrigation?

After the soil has been amended and drip irrigation is in place, we roll the fabric out over the beds and irrigation lines and anchor it in place with earth staples.

Should drip line holes face up or down?

The drip emitter spacing for water comes 8 or 12 inches apart. When laying the drip tape, make sure that the holes are facing up- ward, and that there are no kinks in the line.

How effective is drip irrigation?

Unlike other forms of irrigation, such as sprinklers that are only 65-75% efficient, drip irrigation 90% efficient at allowing plants to use the water applied.

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