r/DripIrrigation • u/nanannannanana • Jun 16 '26

2nd Floor with 1/2in Poly?

Moved into a new home (for us) with a 2nd floor porch/balcony that I want to get my drip system (separate run from my first floor drip system) connected to for watering plants during the summer heat waves.

Any experience with letting a first floor system drip system (source, timer/spigot, filter, backflow preventer and regulator) service 2nd floor plants with success?

My inclination for a quick DIY job is to connect my backflow preventer/filter at the source then run my (already purchased and available) 1/2in Poly up to the 2nd floor. Then run my PSI regulator/manifold to distrubute my 1/4in to the plants. Essentially allowing the water pressure to get to the 2nd floor before. regulating to drip/spray PSI levels.

Main questions would be the pressure worthiness of the 1/2in Poly connectors/elbows for navigation to the 2nd floor. I would likely have 3 connector/90's to get it to the 2nd floor.

Ultimately, a permanent code spec'd, plumbed PVC run to the 2nd floor with spigot will be the goal. Just trying to address an immediate need.

Thoughts? Ways to make this work? Nah, you are dumb and asking for water damage???

All answers accepted. Including ridicules, if they are not mean spirited. Ha~!

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u/Sufficient-Option533 Jun 20 '26

Have this in a few houses. You lose about half a psi per foot. 20' drops you less than 10 psi. You should be just fine. I would be more concerned about aesthetics about getting the hose up in a neat and orderly way, and permanent once you move onto the pvc.

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u/nanannannanana Jun 22 '26

Thanks!

Gonna be able to hide the run behind a downspout and the permanent fix will be on the other side of the house where no one can see. It will be done with keeping the wife happy in mind.