Dollarama Micro irrigation system test and solution for the tap water adapter

When the summer arrive, I really like to eat fresh vegetables and herbs from the garden. The other summer, I was always forgetting to water the garden... And so, they were not always growing as fast as I would like.

Then I saw this kit at my local dollar store dollarama for 4$. The kit contain : Fittings, dripper (end unit and inline) 10 total, tap water connector, 45' of tubing, a nice kit that could be priced 40$ elsewhere. So I purchased 2 kits to try them 8$ to lose ...

When I first opened the kit, I took a look at the tap water adapter ... The adaptor is in 4 parts :

1. The tap adapter
2. Filter washer
3. Flow control valve (rubber washer and a red support)

If you follow the instruction, to mount the tap water adapter, it is needed to put the flow control valve first then the filter washer ... But it does not fit !  There is only an half thread to screw the tap water outlet!

Look by yourself on the picture ! 

No, you can't only push very hard...

But, there is worst, the thread used is 3/4" BSP while in North America, the standard is 3/4" GHT ... The threads are not compatible !!!

So it is needed to find a solution, and I did !  Read more for the method :-)

Step 1: Get the required stuff

1. Silicon tube
2. Tap water adapter
3. Filter washer
4. Rubber washer with hole
5. Few tooth picks
6. Cardboard to protect your desk

Step 2:  Gently put the toothpick in the rubber washer hole to hold the washer with the toothpick. Be very gentle.

Step 3: Using a toothpick, put a small amount of silicone inside the tap water adapter (see pictures). Put all around the edge. Don't put too much, the water needs to get through.

Step 4: Holding the toothpick, put the rubber washer inside the tap water adapter. Turn 1 turn each direction the rubber washer to be sure the silicon is well spread. Wait few hours for the silicon to dry out. Remove the toothpick.

Step 5: Put the filter

(No pic available)

Step 6: Insert the 1/4" pipe

(No pic available)

Be carefull not pushing the rubber washer with the pipe.


Step 7: Final !

When I tried the tap adapter, I was able to screw in approx 2 thread before jamming. With the very small water pressure, it is enough for not having any dripping (or a minor drip).

From my tests, it is needed to not open a lot the tap water outlet else the pressure will be too high and the system will not work.

Your turn to try it out !

Thank you for reading, hope it helped you out. Feel free to leave a comment!