As a professional drainage company, we’ve installed countless yard drainage systems over the years, always looking for the best combination of durability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. One product that we’ve relied on time and again is French Drain Man’s pop-up emitter… it’s a simple and effective solution that has proven its value on job sites.
Recently, we started incorporating more of French Drain Man’s products, including the downspout adapter and recently redesigned catch basin. These products save us both time and money while maintaining the high-quality performance our customers demand. In this review, we’ll share our firsthand experience using French Drain Man’s solutions as a drainage contractor, breaking down how they compare to other options on the market and why we consistently choose them.
Pop-Up Emitter
We’ve been using French Drain Man’s pop-up emitters for years, and they continue to be one of the best solutions for directing water away from downspouts and underground drainage systems. One of the biggest advantages is how easily they connect to standard 4-inch corrugated pipe, allowing for a quick and secure installation. We always seal connections with tape to prevent roots from finding their way in. Unlike other options on the market, these emitters come fully assembled, eliminating the need for extra build time on-site.
Functionality-wise, the design stands out for its self-cleaning, low-maintenance operation. Since it uses a hinged valve, allowing the lid to “pop up” when water flows through, debris like leaves and small twigs are less likely to caught. In traditional alternatives, we commonly found obstructions can build up over time. Another huge improvement is the 12″ turf restrictor plate, which mostly prevents grass from stopping the lid from operating. It also gives the finished job a more clean look, which customers appreciate.
We do make one small modification to improve drainage: drilling a small hole at the bottom of the emitter to allow for slow self-draining, preventing standing water. This simple adjustment ensures there’s no sitting water in the pipe, reducing the risk of mosquito breeding and freeze issues in colder months. Made from durable HDPE, the emitter holds up well against weather conditions and general wear, making it a long-lasting choice.
Overall, it’s a superior product that has streamlined our drainage installations and improved long-term performance for our customers. When it comes to efficiently discharging water from a properly installed French drain system (we love to install near the Kansas City area!), these Pop-Up Emitters are the best solutions we’ve found. Oh yeah, it’s priced competitively as well!
Downspout Adapter
When it comes to connecting and installing gutters downspouts to underground drainage, we used to rely on a DIY solution that required 7 different parts, took nearly an hour to assemble, and had potential for installation errors. While it worked, it was far from efficient. French Drain Man’s downspout cleanout adapter has completely streamlined this process for us.
Not only does it cut our installation time down to a fraction of what it was (3 minutes instead of 20 minutes), but it also looks far more professional and polished compared to our previous method.
Functionally, this adapter is a major upgrade. It seamlessly connects standard gutter sizes to 4-inch corrugated HDPE pipe (they offer other options, as well) while integrating a well-designed grate that filters out leaves and debris. For jobs where debris isn’t a concern, the grate can be easily removed, offering flexibility depending on the specific installation needs. One of the standout features is the built-in cleanout plug, which allows easy access for a camera, snake, or hydrojet if maintenance or inspections are needed. This adapter even includes a small vent for pressure equalization, helping ensure smooth water flow.
One big extra feature added to this “adapter” is the leaf filter option. In the image above, you can see the blue grate (which is removable), that catches leaves which entered through the gutters. After removing the front plate (seen in the second picture), you can easily clean out anything caught in the system – before it makes it to your underground pipes.
Another key advantage is its accessibility for maintenance. The front cover is fully removable, making it easy to pull out any leaves. Even with all these added benefits, the cost is roughly the same as our previous DIY method—except now, this solution looks better and is installed faster. French Drain Man has effectively solved a problem that drainage professionals have been working around for years, and after using it on recent projects, we don’t see ourselves going back.
Catch Basin
Our customers love when we install catch basins because they eliminate standing water and allow occasional maintenance of the system to ensure it’s longevity. One of the biggest frustrations we’ve had with traditional catch basins is the tedious installation process:
- Cutting out installation holes
- Trimming the entry flaps
- Forcing pipe through
- Keeping track of the screws for the lid
- Sometimes even softening the plastic with a blowtorch just to make cuts
French Drain Man’s catch basin completely eliminates all of these hassles. Instead of struggling with modifications, we simply attach our corrugated pipe and tape it in place. This alone saves us a significant amount of time on every job.
This catch basin is well-designed for real-world drainage needs. It holds about a gallon of water while still allowing debris to settle without restricting flow. Made from durable HDPE, there’s no concern about it breaking or deteriorating over time. Another major advantage is its versatility—it can be used as a covered cleanout (for example, catching roof asphalt from downspouts) or as a traditional catch basin with a grate for surface water, making it a flexible solution depending on the site’s needs.
The 5-inch design width with a round bottom is another win. It fits perfectly in any trench we dig (shovel or excavator), so we no longer have to carve out extra space like we did for bulkier, square basins. It’s important to mention that even though it’s thinner than the alternatives, it is deeper and longer, so it still holds a sufficient amount of volume, as much as a traditional basin.
Cleaning is easier, too. Since the bottom is round, there are no corners for debris to get stuck in. Plus, the lid is a simple pop-off design that can be removed with a flathead screwdriver, eliminating the hassle of our customers dealing with screws.
Blue Armor Pipe
French Drain Man’s Blue Armor Pipe is a major upgrade over standard corrugated drainage pipes. Built with non-recycled material, it offers superior strength and crush resistance, making it far more durable than cheaper alternatives. We’ve found it holds up exceptionally well under heavy loads and long-term use, reducing the risk of collapse over time. If you’re looking for a pipe that will last, this is a solid investment.
Wye Connector
The FDM Wye is a noticeable improvement over most other Wyes on the market… one look at it and you can easily see the extra support it has. It’s much stronger and very crush-resistant, meaning it won’t easily deform under pressure like some of the thinner, flimsier alternatives. The smooth interior also promotes better water flow, reducing the risk of buildup inside the pipe. Installation is simple, and the added durability gives us confidence in long-term performance. It’s a small but essential component that helps ensure a reliable drainage system.