Drip Irrigation: The Spaghetti Line to Hard Pipe Connection

[rgsparber]

Spaghetti line is 1/4-inch in diameter and soft. The hard pipe I use is 1/2-inch diameter schedule 40 PVC. Typically, the hard pipe was previously buried in the ground. How do I connect a spaghetti line to the hard pipe at minimal cost and minimal effort?

If you are interested, please see

https://rick.sparber.org/SpaghettiLineHardPipe.pdf


Your comments are welcome. All of us are smarter than any one of us.


Thanks,

Rick

[Baddog]

I wonder if the heat of the ground will soften it enough to pop out?

[rgsparber]

I wonder if the heat of the ground will soften it enough to pop out?

Baddog,

This type of connection is commercially available and has a proven track record. However, over time, the plasticizer will be driven out of the spaghetti line and it will become stiff. At that point, it will start to leak. However, I have a system that continuously monitors water use on a per zone basis. It will detect the when the flow increases by more than 30%. Then I will get an email. See https://rick.sparber.org/FMC.pdf for details.

Rick

[Frank S]

Rick is there not a solvent based adhesive which will react with both the spaghetti line as well as the PVC hard line? I know that poly urethane and poly vinyl chloride are incompatible so far as normal cementing is concerned

[rgsparber]

Rick is there not a solvent based adhesive which will react with both the spaghetti line as well as the PVC hard line? I know that poly urethane and poly vinyl chloride are incompatible so far as normal cementing is concerned

The spaghetti line must be periodically replaced when it gets hard. Gluing or welding it to the hard pipe would cause problems. All couplers I have seen either have barbs on the inside or squeeze the outside.

Rick

[DIYer]

Thanks rgsparber! We've added your Spaghetti Line to Hard Pipe Insertion Method to our Farm and Garden category,
as well as to your builder page: rgsparber's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Spaghetti Line to Hard Pipe Insertion Method by rgsparber

tags: farm tools

[Frank S]

The spaghetti line must be periodically replaced when it gets hard. Gluing or welding it to the hard pipe would cause problems. All couplers I have seen either have barbs on the inside or squeeze the outside.

Rick

It seems then that your solution would be much better than going with the quite expensive branch couplers given that you are going to have to replace the spaghetti line after a time anyway just pull the old one out and install a new one

[Baddog]

Thanks Rick. You are far more energetic than I am!

[jdurand]

We've had more trouble from squirrels eating the line than age. The age shows up when we go to replace a piece and can't get it off the barb because it's hardened.