Frequently Asked Questions & Troubleshooting
Rain Bird^® Landscape Dripline System

How much should I water my plants per week with the Landscape Dripline System?

How often you water will depend on a number of factors. As a rule of thumb, water 1-2 days a week during cooler weather, 2-3 days a week in mild weather and 3-4 days a week in hot weather. For more specific information regarding your plant requirements, contact your local nursery or the Agriculture Extension Department of your state University or College. If run-off occurs, split watering into 2 or 3 shorter cycles. After a couple of days, look at the soil near your 1/2" drip tubing. If too wet, reduce run time. If too dry, increase run time.

Use the following table as a guideline for how long to run your system (Note: watering times are based on using 1.0 GPH Emitters):

Problem: Can not attach FC-KIT or RC-KIT to water source

1. Non-standard water source connection.
   • The FC-KIT works with a standard 3/4” hose thread
   • The RC-KIT works with a standard 1/2” pipe thread.
   Check with your local hardware or home improvement center for the appropriate adapter

Problem: No water coming out of emitters in 1/2" Emitter Tubing or 1/4" Emitter Tubing

1. Check to make sure that there are no kinks in tubing
2. Check to see that a Figure-8 End Closure (for 1/2" Tubing) or Tubing Plug (for 1/4" Tubing) was used and installed properly
3. Tubing may be clogged. Remove the Figure-8 End Closure (for 1/2" Tubing) or Tubing Plug (for 1/4" Emitter Tubing), flush line, replace Figure-8 End Closure (for 1/2" Emitter Tubing) or Tubing Plug (for 1/4" Emitter Tubing)
4. Check for clogged filter. If filter is clogged, rinse with water and replace.
5. Flow through system may be too high. The total system flow should not exceed 240 GPH. Count up the flow of all the emission devices on the zone (number of emitters in emitter tubing (0.9 GPH per emitter) +number of Spot Watering Emitters used (black SWE are 1.0 GPH, red SWE are 2.0 GPH). If system flow is greater than 240 GPH add an additional zone.

Problem: Tubing or Emitters blowing off

1. Too much pressure. Make sure that a pressure regulator is being used (included in FC-KIT and RC-KIT)
2. Fitting not fully inserted. Use a rocking motion to ensure that fitting is properly inserted in tubing
3. Wrong size fitting used. The Rain Bird Landscape Dripline system uses 0.630" O.D. 1/2" tubing requiring 0.630 fittings. Another manufacturer's fitting may be a different size
4. Lubricated oils were used, these may cause slippage at connection points

Problem: No water or little water coming out of Spot Watering Emitters

1. Check to make sure that water source is turned on and flowing from FC-KIT or RC-KIT
2. Check to make sure that there are no kinks in tubing
3. Check to see that a Figure-8 End Closure (for 1/2" tubing) or Tubing Plug (for 1/4" tubing) was used and installed properly
4. Spot Watering Emitter (SWE) may be clogged. Remove SWE, turn on water, inspect to see if water comes out of 1/4" tubing. If water does come out then SWE was clogged. Rinse the SWE in water and replace on 1/4" tubing If it is still clogged, try using a different SWE.
5. Check for clogged filter. If filter is clogged, rinse with water and replace.
6. 1/4" Tubing run may be too long. Make sure that 1/4" Tubing lengths running from emitters are not greater than 5 ft.
7. 1/2" Tubing run may be too long. Make sure that 1/2" Tubing lengths are not longer than 250 feet in any one direction. If run needs to be longer than 250 feet, break up run and create a new zone.
8. Flow through system may be too high. The total system flow should not exceed 240 GPH. Count up the flow of all the emission devices on the zone. If system flow is greater than 240 GPH add an additional zone.

Problem: Leaks between tubing and fittings

1. Too much pressure. Make sure that a pressure regulator is being used (included in FC-KIT and RC-KIT)
2. Fitting not fully inserted. Use a rocking motion to ensure that fitting is properly inserted in tubing
3. Make sure that a clean cut was created when cutting tubing. Marred tubing may create leaks. Use the Rain Bird Tubing Cutters for best results
4. Wrong size fitting used. The Rain Bird Landscape Dripline system uses 0.630" O.D. 1/2" tubing requiring 0.630 fittings. Another manufacturer's fittings may be a different size