How to Save Money When Buying Drip Tape for Sale

Feeling lost in a sea of drip tape options? Don't worry, we've got you covered! This guide simplifies the process by breaking down the four key choices you need to make: diameter, wall thickness, emitter spacing, and flow rate.

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We'll delve into each selection, making drip tape a breeze to choose for your project. Plus, a handy FAQ section awaits at the end to answer any lingering questions.

Diameter

There are 4 diameters of drip tape on the market. The smallest and most common size is ⅝”. The other sizes are ⅞”, 1 ⅛” & 1 ⅜”.  

The majority of drip tape sold is ⅝”.  If you are purchasing drip tape for a garden or small farm where row lengths are 600 feet or less then we highly recommend the ⅝” tape.  The larger sizes are only used in large farming operations.

Wall Thickness

Wall thickness of drip irrigation tape is measured in mil.  Available thicknesses range from 5 - 15 mil.  With 5mil being the thinnest and 15 mil being the thickest. If you are new to using drip tape we strongly recommend starting with 15 mil.  The thinner walled tape is less forgiving and can be damaged easily by someone that is unfamiliar with drip tape installation.  

For home garden use we always recommend 15 mil tape.  As it will last several seasons whereas the thinner walled tape will only provide one maybe two seasons of use. 15 mil tape is more expensive, however, being able to use it for multiple seasons will make it less expensive in the long run.  Below is a chart of available wall thicknesses and expected longevity.

Wall Thickness

Life Expectancy

5 mil

1 year

6 mil

1 year

8 mil

2-3 years

10 mil

2-4 years

12 mil

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2-4 years

15 mil

5-10 years

Emitter Spacing

Drip tape has pre-set drip points built into the tape.  So there is no need to buy additional drippers/emitters.  It is important to note that no additional emitters can be added to drip tape.  Unlike poly tubing, no holes can be punched into dip tape to allow for the insertion of barbed drippers.  

Emitters are spaced at one set distance for the entire roll of tape.  For home gardens the most popular spacing is 12”.  That means every 12” there will be a drip point for the entire run of tape.  Emitter spacing is normally matched to the type of crop being watered.  Below is a chart with popular emitter spacings and what crops or application use that emitter spacing.

Flow Rate Selection

When selecting the flow rate for your drip tape there are 3 considerations to keep in mind.

Run Length –The longer the run length you need per row of tape then the lower the flow rate per emitter is needed. The reason is that longer run lengths have more emitters and the more emitters there are the more water is being used per line.  

Thus, in order not to exceed the capacity of a system lower emitter flow rates are used to accommodate for longer runs of tape.  For anyone that needs run lengths of 500 feet plus, we recommend using a “low flow” emitter (see chart below). 

When planning a home garden tape system run length is not going to be a limiting factor because the rows are generally short and any of the emitter flow rates can be used. 

Soil Type –No matter the scale of your drip tape system soil type is a consideration that everyone should think about. The three main types of soil are Clay, Loam, and Sand.  Below is the flow rate selection for each soil type.  

Filtration – It is important to keep in mind that when choosing an emitter flow rate that the lower the flow an emitter has, the smaller the opening for water to drip out is.  This means that lower flow emitters can be more susceptible to clogging.  

So it is very important that if using a low flow emitter to have a good filter with at least 200 mesh.  If you know you have water that is hard or has mineral build up it would be best to go with a high-flow emitter to prolong the life of the drip tape.

Frequently Asked Questions about Drip Tape

Buying Guide: Driptape, Dripline, or Poly Tubing W/ Emitters 

     Selecting the proper drip device for your use depends on a couple of variables, each equally important. The three types of products we sell for drip systems are driptape, dripline and blank poly tubing with emitters added as needed. Each is capable of different flow rates and emitter spacings, so it can be adapted to fit many configurations. Preinstalled emitters can be 4”, 6”, 8”, or 12” apart on driptape and 12”, 24”, 36”, or 48” apart on dripline. We do not install emitters on poly tubing, but we do sell them for customers to install. 

Flow rate needed for plants

      The first factor that will decide which product to use is the flow rate needed. Knowing how much water your plants need is crucial. This will depend on the overall water needs of your crop or plants, as well as the type of soil they are in. Clay is slow to absorb water and would require a lower flow drip tape, while sand absorbs water quickly, so a higher flow rate is possible. Drip tape will be the lowest flow choice, ranging from a .09GPH emitter to a .27GPH emitter. Dripline is capable of a higher flow rate of .5GPH to 1GPH. Poly tubing can be customized with any compatible emitter. This allows you to tailor the flow and the emitter layout for more custom applications. Self-installed emitter flows can be anywhere from .5GPH to 18GPH. The flow needed will dictate the entire system. Lines and connections need to be sized to accommodate that flow. 

Life span versus Price

      The second factor is life span needed. Drip tape has different thicknesses measured in thousandths of an inch or “mil”. The higher the number the thicker the wall of the tape. A thicker tape will last longer than a thinner one. Driptape is best suited to crops that are more seasonal as it is cheaper per foot and most users will discard after one use. The most common thickness is 8mil tape, that is a great starting point for new users. If you get unexpected leaks caused by animals or workers, then trying a thicker tape next year is recommended. If you have success with 8mil then using a thinner tape next season may be possible to save money. If you need a longer lifespan for a crop that grows over multiple years like orchards or vineyards, dripline would be a great alternative to driptape. Dripline is like blank poly tubing, but with pre-installed emitters. Like poly tubing, it can last on average about ten years before any noticeable degradation. For seasonal crops use driptape, for year-round or perennial crops dripline or poly tubing is best. 

Diameter of tubing

      The third factor is the diameter of tubing. The most common size is 5/8”. It will be easiest to find fittings in this size, whether it is for driptape, dripline, or poly tubing. The reason to go to a larger diameter driptape would be if there is too much pressure loss from row length using 5/8”. A lot of times you can use a lower flow on 5/8” and still have acceptable pressure loss, granted you will need to run the system slightly longer. If you are unable to reduce the flow, then going larger is needed. The next size for driptape is 7/8”. It can have maximum row of ft at .22gpm, whereas the same flow in 5/8” will max out at 835ft. For rows longer than that you may need to use blank poly tubing like ¾" or 1” and install emitters as needed. Use our pressure loss calculator to decide line size needed, based on flow rate and length of run. 

The company is the world’s best Flat Emitter Drip Tape supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

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