Buying task · Faucet head assembly
Drip faucet head assembly
A drip irrigation faucet assembly: the backflow protection your utility asks for, the kit maker's order, matching threads, filter mesh, regulator psi and adapter.
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Picks that fit
- Rain Bird HT07525PS 3/4 in FHT x MHT 25 psi pressure regulatorCheck price on Amazon
- Rain Bird PRF07530S 3/4 in MPT pressure-regulating filter (30 psi, 200 mesh)Check price on Amazon
- Rain Bird FCKIT‑1PK faucet connection kit (backflow preventer, 25 psi regulator, 150 mesh filter, tubing adapter)Check price on Amazon
Short answer
A drip faucet head usually has four jobs: backflow protection, filtering, pressure regulation, and an adapter to your tubing. Ask your water utility what backflow protection your faucet needs, follow your kit maker's order, and check every joint for hose thread or pipe thread before you buy. Then pick a filter with the mesh your emitters ask for and a regulator whose outlet psi suits them.
Picks that fitAll picks and how to choose
- Rain Bird HT07525PS 3/4 in FHT x MHT 25 psi pressure regulatorCheck price on Amazon
- Rain Bird PRF07530S 3/4 in MPT pressure-regulating filter (30 psi, 200 mesh)Check price on Amazon
- Rain Bird FCKIT‑1PK faucet connection kit (backflow preventer, 25 psi regulator, 150 mesh filter, tubing adapter)Check price on Amazon
What the head assembly does
The head assembly is the short stack of parts between the faucet and the tubing. Each part does one thing:
- Backflow device: keeps garden water from flowing back into the drinking water. DIG's D45 backflow preventer has a 3/4 in female hose thread inlet and male hose thread outlet,[1] and DIG lists it for up to 100 psi and 8 GPM.[1] DIG says it cannot be used under continuous pressure and notes that some municipalities and water districts require such devices.[1]
- Filter: stops grit that clogs emitters. DIG's D57A screen filter is 3/4 in FHT x 3/4 in MHT with a 155 mesh screen.[2] Rain Bird's RBY pressure-regulating filter uses a 200 mesh stainless steel screen.[3]
- Pressure regulator: lowers house pressure to what the emitters want. Rain Bird's 3/4 in RBY unit (PRF-075-RBY) regulates to 30 psi for 0.20 to 5.0 GPM.[3] DIG's D54 combines a 150 mesh stainless screen with a regulator preset to 25 psi.[4]
- Tubing adapter: joins the head to your mainline. DIG sells hose-thread and pipe-thread adapters for its compression tubing as separate parts, for example 15-005 (.700 OD x 3/4 in FHT) and 24-029 (.700 OD x 3/4 in FNPT).[5]
The decisions, in order
- The backflow protection your water utility requires. Start there. The backflow preventers guide explains the terms.
- The kit maker's order. Makers differ, so there is no universal order. Mister Landscaper lists its order from the faucet as backflow device, timer, pressure regulator, 150 mesh filter, then the poly faucet fitting, and warns that a regulator installed before the timer can build up excessive pressure.[7] That order is for its system. The faucet head assembly guide shows how to read your kit's order.
- Hose or pipe thread on every joint. Raindrip advises matching hose thread to hose thread and pipe thread to pipe thread, and says mismatched or cross-threaded connections are the main cause of leaks.[8] The thread guide shows how to tell them apart.
- The filter mesh your emitters ask for. See the filter mesh guide.
- Regulator outlet psi and flow range. Senninger recommends an inlet pressure at least 5 psi above the regulator's expected outlet pressure.[9] The regulators guide covers flow ranges and static pressure.
- The tubing adapter for your OD. Match it to the OD your tubing finder result shows.
If you are converting an in-ground sprinkler zone rather than a faucet, see converting a sprinkler zone to drip. Valve, controller and wiring work is outside what we cover; ask a local irrigation professional. Before winter, Rain Bird brings filters, regulators and backflow devices indoors; see the winterizing guide.
How to choose
Check the threads first, then the mesh and outlet psi. A hose-thread faucet stack needs hose-thread parts (FHT in, MHT out) or a hose-to-pipe adapter where a pipe-thread part sits in the line. Rain Bird's HT07525PS is sold as a 3/4 in FHT x MHT regulator, and its PRF07530S as a filter-regulator with 3/4 in male pipe thread, which needs adapters on a hose faucet. Orbit's 67738 is sold as a 3-in-1 faucet adapter: hose-thread inlet, filter, regulator and Drip-Lock outlet. Rain Bird's FCKIT-1PK is sold as a faucet connection kit with a backflow preventer, regulator, filter and tubing adapter; buying it does not settle what your utility requires. We found no verified maker spec page for these four models, so confirm the threads, mesh and outlet psi on each listing.
Picks that fit4 products
Rain Bird HT07525PS: 3/4 in FHT x MHT, 25 psi regulator for a hose-thread stack. Rain Bird PRF07530S: 3/4 in MPT, 30 psi filter-regulator; add hose-to-pipe adapters on a hose faucet.
More on choosing
Orbit 67738: 3-in-1 faucet adapter for Drip-Lock tubing connections. Rain Bird FCKIT-1PK: the 1-pack faucet connection kit. Confirm threads, mesh and outlet psi on each listing. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or the brand.
Hose-thread pressure regulator
Rain Bird HT07525PS 3/4 in FHT x MHT 25 psi pressure regulator
Pipe-thread filter-regulator
Rain Bird PRF07530S 3/4 in MPT pressure-regulating filter (30 psi, 200 mesh)
3-in-1 faucet adapter for Drip-Lock
Orbit 67738 3‑in‑1 faucet adapter (3/4 in FHT, 150 mesh filter, 20 psi regulator, 1/2 in Drip-Lock)
Every page on the faucet head assembly
Guides
- Drip faucet head assembly: the parts, the threads and the maker's order
- FHT, MHT, FPT and MPT: hose thread vs pipe thread
- Drip pressure regulators: outlet PSI, flow range and static pressure
- Drip filter mesh: 150 vs 200
- Backflow preventers on a drip faucet: what they are and who decides
- Convert a sprinkler zone to drip
- Winterize drip irrigation
Tool
Head parts and connections
- DIG D54 filter/pressure regulator
- Mister Landscaper drip and micro-spray system
- Rain Bird 1800-RETRO and Riser Connection Kit
- Hose thread (FHT and MHT)
- Pipe thread (FPT, MPT, NPT)
Key terms
Backflow preventer, hose connection vacuum breaker, screen filter, preset regulator, FHT, MHT, FPT, MPT, swivel adapter and static pressure.
Everything in this topic
Guides
- Convert a sprinkler zone to drip: retrofit kits by spray body and riserHelps you match a spray-to-drip conversion kit to the sprinkler body or riser you have.
- Drip faucet head assembly: the parts, the threads and the maker's orderHelps you assemble the parts at your faucet in your kit maker's order with matching threads.
- Drip filter mesh: 150 vs 200 and what your emitters ask forHelps you choose a filter mesh that matches what your emitters' makers ask for.
- Backflow preventers on a drip faucet: what they are and who decidesHelps you understand backflow devices and know whom to ask about your faucet's requirements.
- Drip pressure regulators: outlet PSI, flow range and static pressureHelps you choose a regulator whose outlet pressure and flow range fit your drip zone.
- FHT, MHT, FPT and MPT: hose thread vs pipe thread on drip partsHelps you match threads on faucet and drip parts, or pick the adapter between them.
Shortlists
- Faucet head parts with stated threads, mesh and pressureHelps you pick head parts whose threads match your faucet and each other, with the mesh and outlet psi to confirm.
Common questions
Can I convert a sprinkler head to drip?
Yes, with a kit made for your head. Rain Bird's 1800-RETRO, for example, drops into an existing Rain Bird 1804 spray body and includes a 30 psi regulator and a 200 mesh screen. More in Convert a sprinkler zone to drip: retrofit kits by spray body and riser
Does a spray-to-drip kit fit any sprinkler?
No. Each kit names its interface, and Rain Bird's CNV182EMT even lists 1802 and 1803 bodies it excludes. More in Convert a sprinkler zone to drip: retrofit kits by spray body and riser
Do I need a pressure regulator when converting sprinklers to drip?
Use the one the kit includes. Rain Bird's 1800-RETRO, Riser Connection Kit and CNV182EMT each list a 30 psi regulator. More in Convert a sprinkler zone to drip: retrofit kits by spray body and riser
Should I convert my lawn zone to drip?
DIG suggests conventional pop-up sprinklers for lawns, not micro sprinklers or drippers. More in Convert a sprinkler zone to drip: retrofit kits by spray body and riser
What order does a drip faucet assembly go in?
Your kit maker's order. Mister Landscaper lists backflow device, timer, regulator, 150 mesh filter, then poly fitting for its system; we found no source that sets one order for every brand. More in Drip faucet head assembly: the parts, the threads and the maker's order
Does the pressure regulator go before or after the filter?
It depends on the maker. Mister Landscaper puts the regulator before the filter, and DIG's D54 combines both in one body. More in Drip faucet head assembly: the parts, the threads and the maker's order
Why does water drip from my backflow preventer?
Mister Landscaper says its backflow prevention valve has relief holes and that some water draining from them is normal. For other devices, check the maker's instructions. More in Drip faucet head assembly: the parts, the threads and the maker's order
Can I leave the regulator on the faucet all the time?
Not every regulator. DIG says its D54 must not be under constant static pressure, and Rain Bird recommends taking head parts indoors for winter. More in Drip faucet head assembly: the parts, the threads and the maker's order
Questions
What goes on the faucet for drip irrigation?
Usually a backflow device, a filter, a pressure regulator and an adapter to your tubing. The order depends on your kit maker; see the faucet head assembly guide.
Does the filter go before or after the regulator?
Follow your kit maker. Mister Landscaper's order from the faucet is backflow device, timer, regulator, 150 mesh filter, then the poly fitting, for its own system. Other makers differ, and we found no universal order.[7]
Do I need a backflow preventer?
Ask your water utility or local plumbing authority. The EPA says backflow prevention programs vary by state and municipality; DIG notes that some municipalities and water districts require such devices.[6][1]
Why will my adapter not screw onto my filter?
Usually because one is hose thread and the other pipe thread. Raindrip says to match hose thread to hose thread and pipe thread to pipe thread; mismatched threads are the main cause of leaks.[8]