What size pipe do I need for a pop-up emitter?
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.
Can I put a pop-up emitter in my yard?
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.
Are pop-up drain emitters a good idea?
Pop-up drain emitters have been a lifesaving solution to homeowners struggling with their complicated traditional drainage system. But, even if they come with their own set of problems, they can be solved with the help of some insight. Let’s see those problems quickly: And so on!
Do pop up emitters have gutters?
If you want to mitigate the appearance of drains and pipes on your yard, pop-up emitters typically come with underground drains. However, cleaning underground gutters can be a bit tricky. Much like with your indoor pipes, you can clean any blockages using a drain snake.
How low can a pop-up emitter be?
Generally, pop-up drains in your yard can be anywhere from a few inches below the soil line to 16 inches below it, depending on your environment and specific needs. Remember, the pop-up drain emitter needs to be lower than the drain inlet.
How much slope should a downspout drain?
We want our drain pipe to have a 1% slope so water will always drain properly. That means the trench and drainpipe must slope away from the house with at least 1-inch (2.5 cm) of fall for every 8-feet (2.4 m) of run. We'll make sure the slope is correct by using a 4-foot (1.2 m) level.
Where do I put the pop-up drain emitter?
1:125:12How to Install POP UP EMITTER - 3 Ways - 2 kinds of pipe - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo the pop-up goes on the top. Make sure that your holes pointing down.MoreSo the pop-up goes on the top. Make sure that your holes pointing down.
Can you put a riser on a pop-up emitter?
0:211:25How to Install a Pop Up Emitter With Extra Height - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo we have the answer we have pop-up emitter risers that gives you two inches of lift. Now what ifMoreSo we have the answer we have pop-up emitter risers that gives you two inches of lift. Now what if you need more than two inches of lift. You stack them on top of each.
What is a 1% slope for drainage?
All of your drain pipe (with one exception) must slope slightly downhill. Usually 1/8" per foot is plenty for drainage, this is the same as the commonly recommended 1% slope.
What angle should a downspout be?
What Should the Slope of Gutters Be? Gutter slope should be a maximum of 1/4 inch fall per 10 foot of gutter. Anything more than a 1/4 inch is going to make your home look crooked and poorly built.
How far should pop up drains be from 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.
How do I improve my gutter downspout drainage?
10 Gutter and Downspout Runoff Drainage TipsInspect & Clear Out Your Gutters Regularly. ... Install Gutter Guards. ... Landscape Plants. ... Extend Your Downspouts. ... Route the Water into a Storm Drain or Dry Well. ... Improve Your Grading & Slope. ... Check for Low Spots Around Your Home. ... Consider Installing “french drains,”More items...•
How do you secure a pop-up drain?
0:003:06French Drain Help - Why You Need To Secure Your Pop Up Emitter or GrateYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut it blows them apart and the great works even better but we always put a set screw to hold thatMoreBut it blows them apart and the great works even better but we always put a set screw to hold that grade in place you can put it on the pop-up.
How high can a pop up emitter be?
The Pop-Up Emitter with Elbow connects to 3 in. sewer and drain pipe and 3 in. triple-wall pipe. As water pressure builds, the cap “pops up” as high as 1 in., disperses water at up to 56 GPM, and closes once the flow diminishes.
What size gravel is best for French drain?
1-1/2" roundUse Natural 1-1/2" round rock for best drainage. Washed rock is ideal. Avoid small pea gravel as the spaces in between stone is smaller minimizing flow rates. Avoid Crushed Rock (minus) that compacts and has "fines" that will clog pipe inlets.
Do French drains work in winter?
When placed below the frost line, your French drain will work in all seasons and will not suffer from issues such as frozen obstructions caused by either the freezing or thawing cycles. If you are in need of French drain services, consider Brothers Plumbing, a leader in the industry.
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?
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.
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.
What happens to a gutter when it rains?
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.
Drainage Basics
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.
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.
Do I Need a Pop-Up Drain Emitter?
We worked with the service department of our builder to have pop-up drains installed, and we’ve seen an immense difference. Our mulch is staying where it should, and our plants are beginning to recover. Most importantly, our foundation is staying protected.
What is a pop up emitter?
Pop up emitters are connected to your drainage downspout to relocate water, so it does not flood your yard. The emitter is buried into the ground and is flush with the ground level. 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.
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.
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 is daylighting a pipe?
Daylighting is just a fancy term for laying out a standard pipe connected to your downspout. That pipe is typically pointed towards the gutter to handle drain-off. Daylighting your pipes is an excellent option if you don’t want to worry about your pop-up emitters flying off during heavy rainstorms.
Do grates close the entryway?
Both of these options work in different ways. Grates also don’t have any way to close the entryway. As a result, there is a high likelihood of debris falling in there. With too much waste in the grate and pipe, they can quickly become ineffective.
Do heat cables go directly into the emitter?
Check out your local hardware store for self-regulating heat cables. The heat cables do not go directly in the emitter, but they affect all water going towards the emitter.
Can a pop up drain freeze?
If it is still giving you difficulty draining, you will need to remove your pop-up emitter and dig out any contents. A pop-up emitter can’t freeze if there is nothing on the surface of it.
How does a pop up drain system work?
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. The emitter allows water captured by roof gutters, downspouts, catch basins, or grates to flow through drainage pipe, away from your building. The pop-up emitter is then opened by hydrostatic ...
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.
Do pop up drains need to be recessed?
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.
What is a Pop-Up Drain Emitter?
A pop-up drain emitter is a french drain that works by draining rain water away from your house. It collects the rainwater from the gutter and deposits it in a safer area. This protects your house and its foundation from water damage during rain storms or heavy rainfall seasons.
When Should You Install a Pop-Up Drain?
In some instances, normal downspite gutter systems work fine and don’t cause any flooding or water damage to the foundation or other areas of the house. However, if you are noticing signs that the downspite system is not working then it’s a good time to consider installing a pop-up drain emitter. Here are signs to look out for.
What To Check Before Installing a Pop-Up Drain Emitter
So, if you’ve decided that installing a pop-up or french drain is the right step for you then here are some things you should consider before you start.
Tips for Installing a Pop-Up Drain Emitter
If you’ve decided that you’re going ahead and installing a pop-up emitter then there are a few other important tips you may be interested in finding out about before you start. I’ll cover some of the most vital information that you need to know.
The Bottom Line
If you’re constantly seeing signs of water damage inside and outside of your house during or after rainfall then it’s a sign that the water is not draining efficiently. In this case a pop-up drain emitter is a great solution. It moves water away from your house and its foundation to a water catchment area.
Fixing the Pop-up Emitter Problems
Pop-up emitter freezing in winter can be avoided if you take care of a few things while installing the entire drainage system altogether.
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.
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.

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.