How to Convert Your Sprinkler to Drip Irrigation in an Hour

Conserve water, save money, and enjoy a lush lawn

Close-up of a drip irrigation system
Photo: Maxvis / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Close-up of a drip irrigation system
Photo: Maxvis / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Sean Jackson
Written by Sean Jackson
Contributing Writer
Updated December 8, 2023

Difficulty

Easy

Simple project; big impact.

Time to complete

1 hour

Cost

$50–$100

Put your money toward future projects.

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What you'll need:

TOOLS
  • Shovel
  • Threaded nipple
  • Reducing coupler (for riser conversion)
SUPPLIES
  • Sprinkler head caps
  • Drip conversion fittings
  • Caps for unused risers
  • Risers (optional)

If you’re a homeowner looking to conserve water while keeping your grass and plants hydrated, using drip irrigation is a wise choice. Our guide covers how to convert your existing sprinkler to drip irrigation. And we’ll also cover some of the drip irrigation pros and cons.

A drip irrigation system is a system that uses emitters in plastic tubing to slowly but consistently drip water into the root zone of the plants instead of inundating the lawn with water once or twice a day. One of the reasons so many homeowners switch to drop irrigation is it uses 70% less water than regular sprinkler heads, which will lead to lower-than-usual water bills, even in the dead of summer (yes, please). Learning how to install drip irrigation is simple, especially if you already have a sprinkler system installed. 

Prepping to Convert a Sprinkler to Drip Irrigation

Make sure to only run drip irrigation after finishing the conversion because the water flow is much slower, requiring more time to water plants and grass. If you try to combine drip irrigation with your current sprinkler heads, portions of your lawn will be overwatered, which will do more harm than good. 

Before converting your sprinkler to drip irrigation, consult a map with the location of all your sprinkler heads—typically, these will come with your sprinkler system, but you can also buy them at your local hardware store. This allows you to expedite the process. Insert caps on the heads that you aren’t replacing to prevent water from spraying out, promoting a more even distribution of water.

Also, pay close attention to your watering needs, like whether you need to water one plant or multiple. For single plants, drip emitters work well, whereas multiple plants warrant a bigger drip manifold that corresponds to the number of plants you have.

How to Convert a Sprinkler to Drip Irrigation

Now that you have all the materials gathered and you know where your sprinkler heads are, you can convert your sprinkler to drip irrigation. Let’s go over the steps involved in this DIY project.

  1. Turn Off the Water Supply

    Before beginning the conversion, shut off the water supply to your sprinkler system so that you don’t get soaked while working. You’ll find the shut-off valve by following the water line from the sprinklers over to the side of your house. Typically, most homes have ball valves, featuring a handle. To shut off the water, turn the handle 90 degrees until it stops. 

  2. Locate and Remove the Sprinkler Heads

    Now, remove each sprinkler head by turning it counter-clockwise until it is removed from the sprinkler head risers. Risers may be buried, requiring you to carefully shovel to expose them. If you experience this, use a coupler and threaded nipple to surface the riser. 

  3. Install the Fitting

    A person adding an emitter to a drip irrigation system
    Photo: PictureLake / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

    Take the sprinkler-to-drip irrigation fitting and connect it to the riser.  Also, pay close attention to the size of the pipe threadings—for risers, this tends to be half an inch. Match the fittings with the corresponding fitting for a secure fit. If you don’t have risers, secure the conversion fitting to the plastic tubing. 

  4. Align Drip Irrigation

    Unlike sprinkler heads, which can be below the ground’s surface, drip irrigators should be above the ground. If you don’t have risers, buy some to help with alignment. Risers are easy to install into the PVC pipe to direct water upwards and through the fitting. 

  5. Cap All Unused Risers

    Once installed and at the height you want, go around and remove the other sprinkler heads you won’t use. If they’re attached to a riser, cap the top off risers. You can also cap the sprinkler heads to ensure they don’t emit water after conversion. 

  6. Reprogram Run Times

    After installation and capping, reprogram your system’s run times. Keep in mind that drip irrigation systems take much longer than sprinklers to water an area because they release water slowly, depending on your emitter’s capacity. If you have a high-flow emitter, it might only take 12 minutes to water an area. Low-flow emitters can take as long as 90 minutes. 

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Converting a sprinkler to drip irrigation is a simple process that should only take an hour or two. However, if you don’t feel comfortable doing the work, you can consult with your local sprinkler installer. Labor for these kinds of projects will run you $50 to $100 per hour. Hiring a pro may cost you, but you’ll have peace of mind in knowing the conversion is successful.

However, going the DIY route is simple and cost-effective. At most, you’ll spend around $100 for the conversion kit. 

Frequently Asked Questions

When examining the different types of drip irrigation systems available, you’ll come across four kinds: soaker hoses, emitters, micro-misting systems, and drip tape. Soaker hoses have holes evenly spaced throughout and are perfect for watering plants and grass. Emitter systems consist of smaller hoses with evenly spaced emitters that drip water slowly onto the root systems of your plants. Micro-misting systems are perfect for watering trees, orchids, and other plants. Drip tape works well for vegetable and herb gardens. 

Need professional help with your project?
Get quotes from top-rated pros.
Learn more about our contributor
Sean Jackson
Written by Sean Jackson
Contributing Writer
Sean Jackson is a freelance copywriter from Delaware, Ohio, covering real estate, home improvement, insurance, personal finance, and solar energy for CNET, Bankrate, ZDNet, and Marketwatch.
Sean Jackson is a freelance copywriter from Delaware, Ohio, covering real estate, home improvement, insurance, personal finance, and solar energy for CNET, Bankrate, ZDNet, and Marketwatch.
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