PE pipes for your irrigation system

PE pipes form the water lines of your permanently installed garden irrigation system. They transport water from the water supply to valve boxes, solenoid valves, pop-up rotors or drip irrigation systems. The material is robust while remaining flexible enough to adapt the pipe layout to the shape of your garden.

With a little planning, you can easily install PE pipes yourself. Start by planning the main line, valve box and individual irrigation zones. Then determine which pipe diameters you need. The most important factors are the available water pressure, required flow rate, pipe length and the number of sprinklers or other outlets operating at the same time.

Which PE pipe diameter should you use?

PE pipes with diameters of 16 and 20 mm are primarily suitable for lower flow rates and shorter pipe runs. 25 mm is a practical size for smaller irrigation systems and individual irrigation zones. 32 mm PE pipe is often a good choice when higher flow rates are required or longer pipe runs need to supply several pop-up rotors.

PE pipes with diameters of 40 or 50 mm are used for higher flow rates and larger irrigation systems, for example on large properties, systems with many sprinklers or sports fields. With the same flow rate, a larger pipe diameter reduces pressure loss within the pipe. You should therefore choose the diameter based not only on the connection size but also on the required flow rate and pipe length.

Installing and cutting PE pipes correctly

First mark the planned route of your pipes and prepare the trench. You can then lay the flexible PE pipe along the planned route. Avoid tight bends and include valve boxes, branches and sprinkler connections in your planning from the start. This allows you to check whether all pipe routes and lengths are correct before making the final connections.

For cutting the pipe to length, it is best to use a suitable pipe cutter. This provides a clean and straight cut, making it easier to install the fittings afterwards. Measure carefully before cutting the PE pipe to the required length. This allows you to install your irrigation pipes yourself without the need for complicated tools.

Connecting PE pipes with compression fittings

PE compression fittings make connecting irrigation pipes particularly easy. Straight fittings allow you to extend pipes, elbows are used for changes in direction and tees allow you to create branches. Threaded adapters are required, for example, to connect solenoid valves, filters, pressure regulators or various sprinkler connections.

Make sure that the pipe and compression fitting have the same diameter and that the pipe is cut cleanly and straight. Install the fitting according to its design and then check the connection for leaks under water pressure. Only close the pipe trenches once you have confirmed that everything is properly connected and watertight. This allows you to install and connect your complete PE pipe system yourself, step by step.