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Pop-up Emitters for Downspout Drainage?

| Posted in General Discussion on November 4, 2002 10:07am

Greetings:

I would like to do something with the gutter drainage on my house.  Currently they flow into buried, flexible tubing that terminate in poorly planned areas or are simply clogged.  Downspout extensions are going to be trip hazards for the locations I need to fix.  Therefore, I was wondering if anyone has had experience with “pop-up emitters” such as those made by NDS.  Apparently, you use rigid or flexible tubing to connect the downspout to the emitter.  The emitter is installed so that the pop up top is just flush with the ground.  During rain-fall, the top is supposed to “pop-up” and disperse the water over the ground.  They also have a “weep hole” in the bottom to drain any water when the downspouts are not actively “pushing” water out.  Do these devices really work?  What about in freezing climates?  I’ve heard from a NDS distributor they can fill up, freeze, and cause backup in the downspout.  Although, if they are freezing, the water in the downspout should freeze too so this point is mute.

Any input would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

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Replies

  1. geob21 | Nov 05, 2002 02:02am | #1

    Expect to search the yard for the pop up after a thunderstorm.

    1. markls8 | Nov 05, 2002 07:44am | #2

      MILLILKEN - This is  not as elegant a system as you are describing , but I attached self-retracting downspout extensions to my downspouts last year and they work well. They extend about 6 feet when it rains, and roll back up to the house when it stops raining; no trip (or lawnmower) hazard. They got the water away from the foundation and also prevented the water flow from "drilling" a hole in the ground at the downspout opening during a storm. Several of my neighbours now have them after seeing mine. I think I got them from Home Depot. The wheels on the side say "RainGuard". Around $7 I think. Left them on all winter and no damage after thaw. Might save you some work and $.   Regards - Brian.

  2. smijal | Nov 05, 2002 08:40pm | #3

    Millilken,

    Just this past summer I converted all my downspouts to the undergroung/pop up emmiter system you are describing. Since they have not gone through a winter and the free-thaw cycles, I cannot comment on how well/not they work. I have heard from a neighbor who has his done that way, they froze shut on him when buried by the snow.

    This year I am placing a "U" shaped wedge to keep the pop up open, and might even cover the whole emmiter with an old bucket. Yes the freezing issue is the only concern I have with this system. I also left the  gap in the connection between the aluminum downspout and PVC adapter uncaulked to allow another place for water to escape if the system becomes clogged and backs up.

    1. Millilken | Nov 05, 2002 09:53pm | #4

      Thanks Smijal:

      What brand pop-up emitter did you use?  I was also wondering if you used rigid or flexible piping.  Do your emitters have a "weep-hole" drilled out in the bottom of the device?

      Thanks Again

      1. smijal | Nov 06, 2002 03:43am | #6

        I used the green pop up emmiters found at both Lowes and Home Depot. (Dont remember the name--IDE maybee?) They have a drain hole at the bottom of the 90 degree ell. I also drilled a couple more 1/4 holes for extra measure along with  a shovel of peastone in a deepened hole under the drain holes.

        I also ran sewer and drain 4" PVC, and did not cement the connectors together. Instead used a couple of screws at each joint. This would allow more exits of water in case of freezing temps. If these things freeze and cause problems I dont think there is anything more I could have done.....

  3. mrjfleming | Nov 05, 2002 10:02pm | #5

    live in a three year old sub in Michigan with really cold winters, a few of my neighbors have this system of pop up emitters and they seem to really work great, I installed two, one under the front landscaping to prevent puddles by my front door, and the other under a cement side driveway  I had installed to get the water away from the new slab and prevent settling.  am very happy with them.  the only concern I have is if you have a lot of leaves they might clog up the system, since the pop ups just set in the pipe you can easily remove them and should be able to clean them out easily enough.  we are in a new sub with no trees (unfortunately) so this isn't a problem for us yet.  haven't ever had one emitter get pushed out by water pressure and we get some real gully washers sometimes.  be sure to mount them a little high so the grass doesn't overgrow the emitters in a few years.  if not sure try a few and see how you like them, their really not very expensive.

    good luck

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