
How Do You Clean A Pop-Up Yard Drain?
How to keep downspouts from freezing?
What to do if you don't like pop up drains?
What to do if pop up emitter freezes?
Why do pop up emitters have a small amount of drainage beneath them?
Do pop up emitters stay open?
Is daylighting pipes bad?
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Pop Up Drain Emitter Problems: Main Reasons And Effective Solutions
Let’s see those problems quickly: Freezing in Winter; Broken Lid; Getting Clogged; And so on! The pop-up drain emitter does have some problems that you should be aware of.
Do Pop Up Drains Freeze? (Explained) - Amarco Plumbing
Pop up drains can freeze because of how the freezing originates from the downspout. This is why it becomes important for you to install a heating system and for you to clean your pop up drain regularly so that you will be able to minimize the chances of ice building up in the drain.
How does a pop up drain work in winter time - RedFlagDeals.com
With the above setup everything is fine during all the other seasons but winter In winter inevitably ice will build up within the popup drain and
How does a pop up emitter work?
The pop-up emitter is then opened by hydrostatic pressure. If installed near a road, your pop-up emitter can release water to flow over your curb, eliminating the need to drill through the curb.
What is the benefit of a pop up drain?
The main benefit of pop-up emitter drains is that when not in use, they close, effectively preventing small animals and refuse from entering your drains. Hydrostatic pressure means that no power is needed for the drains to operate.
How to make a drain invisible?
Cover your new pipe with dirt and plant grass seed over the area. In very little time, your new drains will be virtually invisible except when operating.
What is a pop up drain?
By any name, these drain systems are effective in redirecting your water flow to a water-safe area on or near your property, well away from your foundation.
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To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience.
What is a pop up drain emitter?
A pop-up emitter is a clean-looking alternative to normal drain grates. If you’re looking to discretely divert water without worrying about debris or critters clogging a line, consider adding lawn pop-up emitters to your home drainage system.
What happens when a rain storm hits a gutter?
During a storm, water flows through the gutter system into a drain pipe. Hydrostatic pressure causes the lid to open and disperse the water away from your foundation. Once the flow dies down, the lid shuts until the next heavy rainfall. The good thing about pop-up emitters is that if there’s no steady flow of water, the lid stays shut. That means no debris can make its way into the pipe. It’s a great alternative to traditional drain grates that have a tendency to collect rocks, dirt or leaves that'll eventually clog the line.
How to install a 2% slope?
Every yard is different, but a good starting point is a 2% slope. Start the installation process by digging a trench that extends from the starting point to where the emitter will be installed. Some homeowners run the emitter to the middle of their yard; others extend it to their curb.
Can you use a pop up emitter for a sump pump?
Pop-up emitters aren’t a standalone solution. Most fit 3- or 4-inch pipe (both smooth wall PVC and corrugated work) that connects directly to a downspout, catch basin or sump pump. In order to allow for proper flow, you’ll need to make sure the drain pipe is sloped correctly. Every yard is different, but a good starting point is a 2% slope.
Where to put a pop up emitter?
You can place a pop-up emitter at the edge of your property or by a curb as long as it’s up to code. You’ll need to terminate the line in your yard in a way that doesn’t affect your neighbors’ properties. Check with your municipality for further details.
What Is a Pop-Up Drain Emitter?
So, what is a pop-up drain? It’s a drain system that more efficiently carries water away from a house’s foundation than a standard downspout does. ( View example on Amazon .) A flexible hose is attached to the downspout, which is then run through a trench to a simple emitter that “pops up” once the water pressure builds enough, allowing it to disperse over a larger surface area, so it doesn’t cause damage or erosion.
How far away from the foundation should a downspout be?
Most standard drainage systems have a downspout that catches water from the gutters on the roof and deposits it some small distance (around 1 – 3 feet) away from the house’s foundation. With soil that drains well and proper grading, this can work okay. Which is what we thought would happen for us. But it didn’t.
Can a gutter drain too much water?
Your gutter design drains too much water into one area. If there’s any chance you might have drainage problems, invest in pop-up drains or if necessary, something more robust like French drains. It is worth the time, effort, and money. The foundation of your house is perhaps the most important thing you should never see.
Effective and Reliable
Pop-up Emitters allow water captured through your drainage system to be released in water-safe locations like curbside drains. Our Pop-up Emitters are specially designed to open with even a low water flow.
Safe Design
Pop-up Emitters have a flat profile and are spring-loaded to automatically close during dry weather, preventing damage from lawnmowers and keeping pests out of the drainage system.
Pop-Up Emitters
Divert and release water away from structures, erosion-prone landscapes and other areas with poor drainage.
How to Repair a Pop-up Drain Emitter?
Sometimes the pop-up drain emitter may end up getting damaged or need repairing. Depending on the damage, you can just dig up the emitter and repair the damages.
What is a pop up drain?
Pop-up drain emitters are a more efficient drainage system that connects to the downspout through a canal. The downspout is connected to an emitter which diffuses water when the water pressure builds up inside.
What is a drain emitter?
This drain emitter ensures the drainage of water to a specific area far from your house’s foundation. On top of that, the emitter works with hydrostatic pressure.
Why do drain grates discharge more water?
Comparing with pop up drain emitters, grates can discharge relatively more water due to their wider opening. But that can stand up to be an issue due to the discharged water having no direction.
How deep should a pop up drain be?
If you are wondering how deep a pop-up drain can be, you should know that it can be installed up to 16 inches below the soil line depending on your drainage needs.
What happens if you don't clean your gutters?
But if the gutter is not cleaned properly or debris is not removed from there, it can result in some clogging.
What is daylighting in plumbing?
Daylighting is the process of excavating underground pipelines to be exposed outside. For the home drainage system, you can daylight the underground pipe towards the sewer.
What Are Lawn Pop Up Drains?
We all have gutter systems on our houses. Most homeowners install extensions or splash blocks onto the downspouts to channel water away from our house, by a few feet. But that’s not enough.
How Do You Install a Pop Up Drain?
Before you dig in your yard, be sure to check for utility lines. There are services who can help with this, sometimes for free.
Are There Any Pop Up Drain Alternatives?
Yes! If you want to install an underground downspout system but don’t like the idea of a pop up emitter, you can install a grated one. They are nice-looking and – no moving parts to get sucked into and chopped up by a mower.
Why does my lawn get mossy?
If your lawn doesn’t drain in a few hours, then the grass roots can suffer rot . Tree and shrub roots can also get root rot. Moss loves to be wet – can’t get enough – so your lawn may get mossy. Mosquitoes also love puddles.
What causes a drain to open?
The end drain is typically installed level with the ground. On rainy days, the hydrostatic pressure from the storm water will cause the drain to open. Here’s a video of a pop up emitter during a rainstorm.
How far away should a drain be from a house?
Next, think through pop up drain placement. Experts say the drain should be a minimum of 10 feet away from your house. Ideally, you want the drain located where water can run into the street’s drain system. During a strong rainstorm, your drain will be gushing water. Make sure the location of the drain allows for all that water, or you may create more problems than you solve.
What is a surface drain called?
This system is also called an “underground downspout”. Surface drainage systems end in a drain, and there are several types. One type is called a “pop up emitter” – a weird name for a pretty simple drain.
How Do You Clean A Pop-Up Yard Drain?
The only real way to manage the pop-up emitter itself is through regular maintenance and cleaning.
How to keep downspouts from freezing?
Your first option in preventing downspouts and pop up emitters from freezing is installing a heating cable or heat tape. Keep in mind that this will not be effective if your downspout and emitter already have ice.
What to do if you don't like pop up drains?
If you need a method for draining but don’t like pop-up drains, there are two additional options on the market. These options are daylighted pipes and grates . Below, we will get into some advantages and disadvantages behind them.
What to do if pop up emitter freezes?
If your pop-up emitter is freezing, you can install a heating system to warm the metal and keep anything from icing over. You can also take winter as an extra opportunity to regularly clean your pop-up emitter. These devices are less likely to freeze if they have nothing to freeze on.
Why do pop up emitters have a small amount of drainage beneath them?
They also have a small amount of drainage beneath to prevent themselves from being overwhelmed. These are called weep holes and are with all pop-up emitters.
Do pop up emitters stay open?
They are a substitute option to grates and daylighting your pipes. Both have their advantages, but pop-up emitters only stay open when water is running through them. As a result, they are great for draining while keeping out debris. The pop-up portion of their name comes from when they pop up from the ground level.
Is daylighting pipes bad?
Daylighting your pipes could also potentially have debris come into the line. Given that it is open, there is a higher likelihood of dirt, bugs, and other nasty stuff from getting inside. Also, daylighting is typically pretty ugly if you are going for a modern aesthetic.

Step 1 — Measure Distance and Slope
- Determine the distance from the source of the runoff to the water-safe drainage area. Ascertain that the slope is sufficient to direct the flow from the emitter to a safe area. For optimum performance, the top of the emitter must be located at a lower elevation than the pipe inlet.
Step 2 — Purchase Materials
- Purchase sufficient drainage pipe based on your measurements, and select the pop-up emitter that is most appropriate for your purpose. Pop-up drains are available in an assortment of brands and sizes, and package directions will provide details to aid your decision.
Step 3 — Optional Catch Basin
- To control the flow of water away from a roof gutter downspout, installing a 9- to 12-inch catch basin is recommended. Dig a trench large enough to hold the catch basin. Pipe water from the catch basin to the pre-determined discharge point, which should ideally be a minimum of 10 feet from the building.
Step 4 — Dig Trench For Pipe
- Dig the trench deep enough to lay the pipe at the needed angle for appropriate flow. Remember, the top of the emitter should be lower than the pipe inlet.
Step 5 — Attach The Pipe and Emitter
- Again, manufacturer’s directions will prevail, but since these drains operate by hydrostatic pressure, there are few variables of concern. Attach the inlet end of the pipe to the source of your water drainage area.
Step 6 — Cover and Seed
- Cover your new pipe with dirt and plant grass seed over the area. In very little time, your new drains will be virtually invisible except when operating.
Step 7 — Maintain
- Although your pop-up emitter drains are generally low-maintenance, it is important to check them occasionally to assure there are no blockages. Verify that they are recessed when mowing your lawn, raking and performing other routine lawn chores.