Puddles of water can be fun to splash in—until they’re wreaking havoc on your home’s foundation. If you’re looking for a simple solution to clear pooling water under a downspout or want to bury your sump pump drain line, consider installing a pop-up emitter.
How do they work?
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.
Benefits of Pop-Up Emitters:
- Easy to install and replace if broken
- Won’t clog – no debris buildup
- Blends into landscaping
Pop-Up Emitter Installation
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.
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.
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.
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.
