I figured this was the best place to post this. I am thinking of installing some of the inground pop up down spout emitters. They take the water from your down spouts via corugated flex pipe and let the water out away from your foundation (however far you want). When they are closed they are flush with the ground. nice thing is that there is no down spout extenders etc runing through your landscaping.
Here is where my question comes. In michigan we get alot of snow (last years we got about 4 feet total) and I am concerned about the weight of the snow ontop of the emitters keeping them closed and allowing water to back all the way up through the pipe to the down spout and back up to the gutters. I’m not concerned about melt water running backwards from the ground but from the weight of the snow keeping the emitters from popping and allowing melt water from my roof to back up.
Anyone have these? How do you like them, do they work well, how about the snow issued? Any other issues with them I should look out for?
Thanks
J-
Replies
I'm thinking that the water that is trapped in them will freeze and blow them apart. And, that they are not a good idea in a climate that freezes.
They're OK, but...
Note there is an accumulation of water in them that doesn't come out until the next flushing, but I haven't had any freezing issues with them. The snow will sit on top and block them from popping up. Then they just sit and ooozz.
I've used them with good success, but never considered your concern. When I install them, I put the emitter ell over a gravel pit, and make sure there is a hole drilled in the ell so water doesn't sit in the pipe. Maybe you can drill a few holes in the pop-up to let melt water seep out, which should free up the popup more.
Steve
I like the idea, but have concerns. No snow/freeze problem here in the southern lat's. My concern is the build up of sediment and ultimately clogging up the system. My experience has been not to spec. anything that requires maintenance if possible.
I'd agree that just about any scheme that isn't a clear shot is apt to clog with leaves and the like. Even with straight downspout you can get leaf clogs.
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith
I'm not too worried about leaves as my sub was built in what was a corn field. There are no trees over about 10ft tall (the ones planted on the easements) with in about 300 yards one way and about 600yards the other. I have been in the house for going on eight years and have not had to clean my gutters, though I have checked them yearly.
I was also thinking about putting a clean out at the down spout end so I can run a garden hose/snake down the line is needed.
J-
Well, we all don't have the advantage of living in a corn field. (just joking)
I like your idea of the the clean-out though. Could make it much easier for the home owner to clean out if necessary.
Oh believe me I would love to have a bunch of old growth tree's around. My old neighborhood had tree's everywhere. I guess this is the price I pay for living in a sub, LOL
J-
Hey. Get out the old shovel and start planting. Surprisingly (although when I was much younger I couldn't believe it) that small tree you plant will indeed grow into a big shade tree full of birds and all kinds in crawly things.
And the birds will poop on your car, on your windows, on your deck furniture, and, given enough opportunity, on you.
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith
I love this place. Never a dull moment. It's always good for a good laugh.
Some folks would bitch if you hung um with a brand new rope.
yep landscaping is definately on the agenda for this summer (been putting it off for a while) and I would like to do the pipes etc for the down spouts while doing all of the landscaping.
J-
No problem. Before they back up enough to flood the roof the downspouts will freeze and burst open.
I ran my downspout lines underground to a gravel pit. I live in northern Colorado but it doesn't get that cold for very long.
The colder it gets the deeper you have to set the pipes. Anything near the surface is going to feeeze.
The one pictured is in the back yard and not as critical so I didn't go as deep or build it as well.
I used hollow block because it takes up room but is hollow for the water.
The one in the front yard is much bigger, is filled with compacted gravel, and the fill tube goes through it and out in case it ever fills up.
I've had no problems with these but it has only been one year.
Will Rogers
Edited 4/29/2009 11:46 am ET by popawheelie
Here's another pic"There are three kinds of men: The one that learns by reading, the few who learn by observation and the rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves."Will Rogers
I have something like these for my outlets
http://www.doityourself.com/invt/u149347
with a slotted cover on them. They are flush to the ground. I'm in Chicago and have had no problems with freezing.
Edit: That link isn't working. Let me look for another
Edited 4/29/2009 11:57 am ET by JAlden
OK Try this
http://plumbing.hardwarestore.com/52-337-yard-drains/6-single-outlet-catch-basin--671253.aspx
Edited 4/29/2009 4:29 pm ET by JAlden