Bunnings leaf eaters or smaller air gap unit?

[LorenClayton]

Hello

I have no existing draining in my backyard for a house I've just bought. I asked a plumber for a quote to install the Bunnings leaf eaters but he said that these are big and bulky and that they are usually placed under the roof. Mine would be installed at a height I can access. I'm wondering if this means they're more unstable in high wind / rain. I much prefer the leaf eaters as the smaller, slimmer units have a much bigger outflow of water - right on the foundations. A larger unit is obviously going to drain away more water. Please feel free to comment as in my experience plumbers don't always recommend the best option.

[EricL]

Hello @LorenClayton 

I've had leaf eaters in my last rental, and they are quite effective. If the leaf eaters are installed and anchored properly it should stay firm even in strong winds. It's true that they are on the bulky side such as the Rain Harvesting 90mm Leaf Eater Original Rain Head, but it is part of their design and function. The large head allows them to disperse leaves quickly without splashing a great deal of water below. 

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.  

Eric

[Dave-1]

Evening @LorenClayton 

I dont have a leaf eater like the one you have shown, I have a physical break between the bottom of my downpipe and the grill for the stormwater pit so leaves can blow away. Very much does the job like the one @EricL has listed. I figureed that the less I have to do the better. 

I have seen plenty of videos of people with the second flush type deal for capturing rainwater and they make sense to get rid of any dirt ect that is on the roof when rain comes across. Do you capture your water?

Dave

[Nailbag]

Hi @LorenClayton 

I guess my first question is why you don't have any storm water drainage, are you regional and harvesting all the roof water in to tank/s?

That aside, I had a home quite some time ago. that had several towering gums overhead. I used a product very similar to what @EricL suggested which had in my opinion the most important feature, a very wide leaf diverting grill. There was never any chance of leaf build up and the way er was collected in to my tanks very efficiently.

Nailbag

[LorenClayton]

Thanks Eric. Yes, I agree. And the tree eaters get good reviews.

[LorenClayton]

Thanks Dave, no I don't capture my water. Can Bunnings organise installation of their Rain Harvesting 90 mm tree eaters by a plumber? All I'm doing is installing 4 of these to my existing drainpipes at a height accessible to me. So they won't be high on the roof gutters. I'm worried about backflow and inflow into the house via the gutters, but also worried about excess water close to the foundations. So I think these leaf eaters should do the job if I maintain them. I understand the air gap also stops backflow from the kerb as well. I'm just having problems finding a plumber willing to commit to a start date.

[LorenClayton]

Thanks for your answer. I bought this house a month ago and just found out 3 rear drains are blocked / crushed so need new pipes. I have a slight negative grade but Moreton Bay council have approved a charged drainage system for these rear pipes to kerb. It's fairly urgent for me to get these tree eaters installed, even if I have to wait for the drainage installation, as I effectively have no drainage at all for the rear pipes and worried about backflow etc. So I'm also asking if Bunnings can arrange a plumber to install as I'm having real problems finding a plumber who can do the work straight away.