It's engineered to reduce the likelihood of dirt and debris build-up, unlike soaker hoses which are more prone to clogging. Additionally, drip emitter tubing is built to withstand UV rays and chemical exposure, making it more durable against environmental factors.
The major problem with soaker hoses is that they're composed of reconstituted rubber and will degrade over time, especially if exposed to sunlight. Expect them to fall apart in a year and a half to two years, at most. An old soaker hose will exhibit small water fountains all along its length.
Soaker hoses belong in flower and garden beds. For lawn watering, use a sprinkler and use drip irrigation on steep slopes or when you are ready to upgrade to a more efficient irrigation method.
One peculiar disadvantage to drip systems: gardeners often replace plants that have died at the end of a drip system tube by placing a new plant in the exact same place as the existing tube end – regardless of the type, needs, or eventual size of the new plant.
A soaker hose uses less water than a sprinkler because it gets to the roots of plants and deep as well. While a sprinkler is mostly wetting the surface and foliage, and some of the water is wasted by falling on non plant surfaces like walls and patio.
While the initial investment in drip emitter tubing may be higher than soaker hoses, the long-term cost savings are substantial. The durability and efficiency of a drip system means fewer replacements and lower water bills over time, making drip a more economical choice in the long run.
Vinyl hoses aren't as durable as rubber hoses. A rubber garden hose requires the most upfront investment. They're tougher, more flexible and heavier than vinyl hoses. Overall, rubber hoses are more durable.
The Cons of Drip Irrigation
Some common challenges include: Clogged Emitters – It's common for drip emitters to become clogged from mineral/chemical deposits, or algae and bacterial buildup. Even plant roots can find their way into drip tubing.
The general answer is 7-10 years for the drip lines (laterals) 30-50 years for the Main and Submain pipes (buried in the soil at depths of 2 or 2.5 feet). The head control –Filters, Control and Safety Valves and Fertigation equipment will have a longer life than the drip laterals.
Because lawns cover a large area, drip irrigation systems won't work anywhere near as well. Because grass has much thicker and dense root systems, they are less prone to waterlogging and overwatering compared to planted vegetables. As a result, pop up, and rotor sprinklers are much more efficient.
For a standard five-eighths-of-an-inch hose, you need 200 minutes to saturate the garden with one inch of water.
Don't bury it under the soil; a thin layer makes it easy to move the hose when needed while still offering enough coverage to prevent sun-related damage. The size and type of your landscape will help determine how long to run the soaker hose for but typically about 30 minutes twice a week is the right amount of water.
Similar to a soaker hose is drip tape, a more lightweight product that works for row crops and raised beds. Easy and inexpensive – Simply attach to a garden spigot. Useful for small gardens – good alternative when drip is not a possibility.
Drip tape is much less limited than line or even soaker hoses. If you plan on farming or gardening long rows and need a lengthy water supply, then you would use drip tape. Use it in low-pressure situations, typically with water pressure of up to 15 PSI.
Because Weeper Hoses drip directly into the ground underneath them, they are suitable for watering garden beds, can be buried under mulch and are useful for conserving water. Soaker Hoses, on the other hand, act more like a sprinkler. Many people like to use them on nature strips or other long sections of garden.
Uneven Water Distribution
Blocked, clogged, or leaky drippers or tubing can result in some plants receiving too much water while others don't receive enough. Here's how to address it: Check the water flow at the emitters and adjust the system to ensure even distribution.
It is important to flush the lines at least every 2 weeks during the growing season. At a low concentration (1 to 5 ppm), chlorine kills bacteria and oxidizes iron. At a high concentration (100 to 1000 ppm), it oxidizes organic matter and disintegrates it.
Spray irrigation has its benefits as well, including ease of installation, coverage of large areas, and the ability to adjust the water distribution. This system is often more cost-effective and easier to maintain than drip irrigation.
Evaporation: 5 to 40% losses
Conventional surface drip irrigation also create a wet surface subject to evaporation.
The first reason behind burying your drip tape is for improved water conservation. Previous studies say that when burying drip tape you will use 40% less water than leaving the drip tape on top of the soil. When left on top of the soil drip tape is gonna be losing a significant amount of water due to evaporation.
Soaker Hose Disadvantages
A soaker hose may degrade over a shorter period of time (4 years). The unregulated water release of a soaker hose is not as efficient (roughly 4lph per metre). Run in lengths up to 20-30 metres.
Round soaker hoses are the most versatile, as they can be easily maneuvered through gardens of all shapes and sizes with minimal risk of kinking. They are also often the most durable but tend to be the most expensive. Length: Soaker hoses are usually available in lengths between 15 to 100 feet.