Complete Guide to Irrigation Pipes - Rainfaun Agriculture

In an irrigation system, many different components are used—such as sprinklers, micro sprayers, pumps, filters, and pipes. All of them are important and each plays a different role. But if we ask: What is the most important and indispensable element in an irrigation system? The answer is likely just one—water. Because water is the essential life source that allows crops and plants to thrive and grow.

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However, unless it comes from natural rainfall, large amounts of water cannot directly reach the crops on their own. That’s why irrigation technology exists—human-designed methods to deliver water to plants. So, what role do pipes play in this system? Let’s use an analogy to help explain it.

The human body relies on blood to sustain life, and the circulation of blood requires blood vessels. Blood vessels extend throughout the entire body, enabling blood to reach every part. Similarly, irrigation pipes are like the blood vessels of an irrigation system. Thanks to them, water and nutrients can be smoothly delivered to every corner of the system.

Therefore, it is extremely valuable to fully understand irrigation pipes—from their features and types to the conditions for selecting them. Just as a doctor studies blood vessels with a scalpel to understand their structure, this guide will give you a detailed explanation of what irrigation pipes are all about.

Pipes represent a broad category of products used in various fields such as construction, industry, and irrigation. Different applications place different demands on pipes, which gives rise to distinct characteristics for different types of pipes. In the field of irrigation, a qualified pipe must possess good pressure resistance, corrosion resistance, sealing performance, flexibility, stability, and aging resistance.

Let’s start with the working pressure of irrigation pipes. Based on their function, pipes can be divided into supply pipes and drainage pipes. Irrigation pipes typically fall under the category of supply pipes. The commonly used pressure ratings are PN10 and PN16, which mainly differ in wall thickness—thicker walls mean higher pressure resistance. For most standard irrigation systems, pipes rated at PN10 are already sufficient.

Pressure resistance is critical for irrigation pipes. If the water pressure during irrigation exceeds what the pipe can handle, even if the pipe doesn’t burst initially, long-term exposure to high pressure can eventually cause damage and lead to rupture. This not only disrupts the operation of the irrigation system but also results in wasted water resources. Furthermore, since pipes are usually laid outdoors, exposure to sun and wind accelerates the degradation of pipes with poor pressure resistance.

The second feature of irrigation pipes is corrosion resistance. Outdoor irrigation systems often face complex conditions. Water sources in different regions may be slightly acidic or alkaline, and the soil itself can have corrosive effects. In addition, pipes frequently carry fertilizers along with water, which can further corrode or damage the pipe material. Therefore, irrigation pipes must have a certain level of chemical corrosion resistance; otherwise, they won’t be able to reliably transport water over the long term.

The third feature is sealing performance. Irrigation pipes are connected using various fittings, such as elbows, tees, and couplings. If the connection between the pipe and fittings is not tight, issues like water leakage and seepage may occur, leading to water waste and reduced transmission efficiency. Thus, the sealing between irrigation pipes and their fittings must not be overlooked.

Next, let’s discuss the flexibility and stability of irrigation pipes. At first glance, these may seem like opposing traits, but in reality, they are closely related. Flexibility is crucial because irrigation systems are often installed in complex and variable environments, such as mountainous or hilly terrain with uneven elevations. In such settings, rigid pipes may not adapt well. Flexible pipes, on the other hand, can bend, fold, and change direction, making them especially valuable in these challenging landscapes.

So what about stability? This is also easy to understand. Using the same example of mountainous or hilly regions, while flexibility is needed for installation, such terrain also causes pressure fluctuations. These fluctuations can affect water delivery and lead to uneven distribution. Therefore, irrigation systems in these areas must be designed to ensure stable pressure and water supply. This can be achieved through devices that regulate pressure or by dividing the irrigation system into zones for better control.

As we can see, flexibility and stability may appear contradictory, but like the ancient Chinese philosophy of Yin and Yang, they are interconnected and mutually supportive.

The fifth feature of irrigation pipes is aging resistance. This is essential for all irrigation pipes because they are almost always installed outdoors. Although some pipes can be buried underground, many are laid on the surface and exposed directly to the elements—wind, rain, sunlight, heat, and cold. Prolonged exposure inevitably causes some degree of wear and degradation. High-quality, aging-resistant pipes can withstand these conditions and ensure the long-term and stable operation of the irrigation system.

Creating a suitable irrigation pipe network is not a simple task. It requires taking many factors into account, such as soil, crops, environment, and so on. Below are several key factors to consider:

• Soil Conditions

Soil has always played a very important role in irrigation systems. Not only does it affect crop growth, but it also determines how to choose the appropriate irrigation method. Generally speaking, soil types can be classified as sandy soil, clay soil, saline-alkali soil, etc. Different soil types require different irrigation methods, which naturally determines the type of irrigation pipe to be used.

Take sandy soil as an example. This type of soil has poor water retention and high infiltration rates, so pipes with a large flow capacity are needed to ensure an adequate water supply.

• Crop Requirements

The choice of irrigation pipes must also consider the type of crops being cultivated; there is no one-size-fits-all solution. For instance, for plants like fruit trees, using PE pipes in combination with irrigation micro tubes and micro-sprinklers can provide highly precise water delivery. This method is also suitable for greenhouse vegetables, as it delivers water directly to the plant roots. For ornamental potted plants, irrigation micro tubes with drip arrows can be used.

However, for large-scale and densely planted single crops, drip irrigation pipes are not suitable because the installation costs are too high. In this case, using PVC riser pipes with sprinklers for spray irrigation is a more appropriate option.

• Water Pressure and Flow Rate

This is also easy to understand. Water pressure and flow rate directly determine the type of pipe that should be used. For instance, in high-pressure and high-flow irrigation areas, soft pipes are not suitable. In such cases, rigid PVC pipes should be used for water delivery, and in areas with extremely high pressure, metal pipes may even be necessary. In areas with medium to low water pressure, PE pipes are a more cost-effective choice.

• Environment

Different environments naturally require pipes with different characteristics and qualities. For example, in hot regions, pipes with excellent UV resistance and high-temperature aging resistance should be selected. In cold regions, pipes with strong resistance to freezing and cracking are needed.

• Cost-effectiveness

Irrigation pipes should not be chosen blindly. A well-planned irrigation scheme should be developed in the early stages, and then the most suitable pipes can be selected while also considering cost. For example, in medium to low-pressure irrigation areas, plastic pipes are more suitable than metal ones, as they are fully capable of handling such working conditions and are much more cost-effective.

Another example is when you want to achieve spray irrigation but find the prices of conventional products like sprinklers too high—you can consider using a rain hose as a more affordable alternative.

Before laying irrigation pipes, proper design is required. A well-designed and well-executed layout can significantly reduce costs while also extending the service life of the irrigation equipment. In the early stages, many factors need to be considered, such as the size of the irrigated area, the location and condition of the water source, crop spacing, and more.

Generally speaking, the larger the irrigated area, the longer the pipes that need to be laid, and the higher the pipe pressure will be. Therefore, when selecting the main pipe, a larger diameter should be chosen. In most cases, we can first determine the pressure and flow rate of the water pump and then use that to decide on the pipe specifications. However, it’s also important to note that even if the inner wall of a long pipe is very smooth, there will still be resistance and energy loss during water transport. Sometimes, a better option may be to add more water pumps and divide the area into different irrigation zones, rather than simply extending the length of the pipe.

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When it comes to pipe selection, the main types we use are PVC pipes and PE pipes. The advantages of PVC pipes include low cost, easy installation, and strong corrosion resistance. They are suitable for projects that require high water quality and do not involve high pipe pressure. On the other hand, PE pipes are known for their flexibility and resistance to low temperatures. They also have strong impact resistance, making them suitable for complex terrain.

In addition, we must consider the overall layout and efficiency of the irrigation piping system. Without affecting the final irrigation performance, the design should aim to avoid excessive crisscrossing of the pipe network and minimize the use of elbows, tees, and other fittings. This is because these elements increase water resistance and reduce irrigation efficiency.

Once the initial planning and design ideas are finalized, the pipe-laying process can begin. Let’s take drip tape as an example. Before installation, some tools need to be prepared, such as scissors, punching tools, irrigation mini valves, and pipe fittings.

First, lay out the main and sub-main pipes. Main pipes can use HDPE pipes or layflat hoses, which are used to connect the water source and guide water to the irrigation area. Then connect the sub-main pipes perpendicularly to the main pipe. Finally, connect the drip tape to the sub-main pipe. During this process, care should be taken to avoid twisting or tangling the drip tape.

After the pipes are laid, use appropriately sized plugs, clamps, or strings to seal the ends, preventing water from leaking out and avoiding waste of water resources. Finally, turn on the water flow to check whether the piping system is functioning properly. If the pipes work normally without any blockages or poor flow, then the pipe installation has been successfully completed.

Due to space limitations, this marks the end of our introduction to irrigation pipes. Through this article, we have mainly explored the characteristics and types of irrigation pipes, how to choose them, how to lay them out, and how to maintain them. We hope this information has been helpful to you.

Of course, irrigation piping is a broad topic that can be expanded into many related discussions. I will continue to share more knowledge about irrigation pipes in the Rainfaun blog. Please stay tuned for updates!

Finally, I would like to introduce our company. Rainfaun is a manufacturer and supplier of irrigation products headquartered in Ningbo, China. We work with customers from various countries around the world, producing and supplying the products they need. In terms of irrigation pipes, we offer PVC pipes and fittings, PP fittings, BSP pipes and fittings, dripline, drip tape, layflat hose, irrigation micro tube, and more. Of course, we also supply related products such as sprinklers, micro-sprayers, drip irrigation valves, and drip fittings. You can learn more about our full product range through our website.

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