How to Install a Soaker Hose SystemWe've taken a specific product, Moisture Master which is available nationally and used it as an example to explain what's involved installing a watering system in your backyard. The soaker hoses have tiny weep holes and are made of polyethylene and old car tires which have been recycled. The watering system of components and hoses is designed to be laid directly on the ground, tucked beneath a layer of mulch or below ground so water can slowly seep into the roots of the plants, bushes, shrubbery and vegetable gardens.The chief advantage of this system is that it supplies water at a steady, slow rate which keeps the soil moist. There's no water lost to evaporation or run-off so the system delivers more water to the roots of plants where it's needed. You'll use less water in the long run and consequently pay lower water bills. With steady watering the plant roots stay moist but not waterlogged so you eliminate root shock caused by normal wet-dry watering cycles. And of course you won't miss the routine of dragging out your hose and sprinkler. Obviously the above ground installation is the easiest and one that can be reconfigured and moved whenever necessary. This is also true for soaker hoses laid beneath mulch. However the underground installation gives you the most watering benefits because it doesn't lose water due to evaporation and it is more permanent. If you're laying out a garden and starting from the ground up, an underground installation is worth considering because you'll enjoy its long term benefits for years to come. The typical soaker hose system consists of soaker hoses attached to each other through a network of plastic tees, elbows and couplings. The end of the soaker hose are capped off. Regular garden hose is used to join sections of soaker hose or to run water through areas not needing water. The soaker hose can be run under a walkway or pavement with rigid plastic pipe. The systems is designed for a do-it-yourselfer with fittings that easily twist on to the hose so you can cut it to size with a pair of scissors. Before you shop for a soaker hose system, make a rough sketch of your yard and house noting the location of the exterior spigot or water source. Jot down the distances from the spigot to the garden beds and the overall width and length of your property. Sketch in any new plantings you plan to add so watering them will be incorporated in your yard plan. Keep this sketch handy and take it along when you go shopping for watering systems so you can refer to it. After you have your yard plan drawn go to a home or garden center and look at the various watering systems. Manufacturers provide planning kits that list all the components in their system. Pick some up to research the systems and when you decide which you'll buy use the kit to lay out the hose locations around your yard. Draw the location of the hose and the fittings needed to connect up the system on your yard plan. Then total up the number of feet of soaker hose in your system and make a list of the fittings you need to connect everything together. The hose and components are sold in kits or as individual components. For example, you'll find watering system kits with various lengths of soaker hoses ranging upwards from 50 feet with all the fittings, end caps and other components required. Purchase a kit that contains the total length of hose needed for your project. As you install the system, cut off lengths of hose needed to fit your layout. When you have all the parts together lay them out on the ground and begin assembling your system. Spend time concealing the hose by burying it under a covering of mulch or wrapping it loosely beneath the base of shrubbery. You can also dig a shallow ditch, place the hose in it and cover it with dirt or mulch. Connect everything except the end caps which seal off the ends of the soaker hoses. Hook your system to the yard faucet and let the water run full force for several minutes to flush the hose and system. Then turn the water off and install the end caps at the ends or the soaker hose. Turn the water back on and let it run while you check for leaks at the fittings. You can then adjust the water flow from the house to provide the recommended flow rate through the system. These systems have pressure regulators or simple flow restrictors that you insert in the hose to regulate the water flow. Tips for Better Installation
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