NDS FWBP24 24" Flo Well Bottom Panel

Installed 3 of these for my back yard. Used one for each of 3 downspout gutters, along with underground NDS French Drain tubing as well. Have had several rains now and we no longer see any waters building up in large sections of the yard any more. Did a lot of study beforehand and looked at a multitude of other brands, as well as other methods. This was the solution I chose and it's been great for us.I also used the NDS Surface Inlet Drain on each. It is true that the drain could be sealed to the top of this dry well but, the general rule is not to, to allow for ground shifting over the years (such as earthquakes, etc.). I didn't seal mine. I did read a lot of items on others reviews all across the Internet so I hope the following notes help others.I read a lot had to cut out the little drain holes and couldn't pound them out like the instructions mentioned. I actually read the instructions and it mentioned to place each of the curved well walls onto a hard supporting surface such as cinder blocks. I did this and they all popped out easily, except one (our of 3 wells, 9 wall sections total). I tried it without the blocks support and sure enough, it didn't work so, reading the instructions helped! The larger holes, for joining piping, are mentioned to perform some cutting prior to "popping" them out.A few reviewers across the Net also mentioned that the wall sections sometimes fell apart when handling them or installing them. So, one of the tips a couple of people mentioned (which I followed and did) was to use a water proofing sealant when joining the sections together. It worked absolutely perfectly. I constructed each well prior to digging each hole so it would have time to set for a couple of hours.Some reviewers had assumed it would come with a bottom but, being this is a dry well, the open bottom is intended for maximum drainage at the bottom. There are some scenarios where a bottom might be desired, e.g., if you're connect several of these together and you want to force it to drain into other dry wells or to drain out only through tubing. I've seen where a bottom can be purchased for those scenarios. I had to read a lot about draining on how it's done because we have no place to expel excess water. Thus, the dry well with no bottom was our solution.Also, I did line the outside of each dry well with the type of fabric that is recommended for french drains and dry wells. That fabric, by the way, is not the typical landscape fabric, by the way. Won't go into those details but a lot of people across the Net have posted they just used regular landscape fabric. From what I've read (including by engineers, etc. on the topic), I don't recommend it for long term usage. I did also use the draining fabric to line each of the dry well holes.I hope this helps others.

I just finished the install today, but I’m optimistic the system will help with some of our heavy rains. Before installing, our patio would flood with any large downfall and even the normal sprinkler activity would require drainage near the patio edge.As far as assembly, i took some other reviewers advice and assembled the drum the night before in the garage. I used construction adhesive in the gaps between the three sides, flexing the gap open and putting a bead of adhesive in between before putting a ratchet strap around the middle of the cylinder fully assembled and leaving it on overnight. This helped a ton when i went to start the install the next day. It held together great.The knock outs were hit or miss, but mostly came out easy. I used triple wall pipe, the black fabric sleeve NDS makes to put around the drum, and then heavy duty landscape fabric around the hole and on top of the drum.Everything installed pretty easily and the drum held together nicely while loading the river rock. I stood on the drum lid while we dumped the wheelbarrows of rock in so it would stay in place. I also installed the top drain since our kids do water slides, slip and slides, and play with the hose in the summer in the yard.Overall everything went pretty smooth, just lots of dirt work and measuring.

I used this NDS Surface Inlet Drain on each of 3 NDS Dry Wells. It is true that the drain could be sealed to the top of this dry well but, the general rule is not to, to allow for ground shifting over the years (such as earthquakes, etc.). I checked with NDS. I didn't seal mine. I did read a lot of items on others reviews all across the Internet so I hope the following notes help others. I've seen where others built their own with piping. I chose to get these for reducing the time of the installation of 3 wells. Some people discuss about about grass clippings, dirt, etc. could gradually fall into the dry wells through this drain inlet cover's openings, which is true. Others made reference to the possibility of mosquitoes. My wife searched around what others were doing and settled on a modification of a good idea, which we applied. So, after we installed the inlet drains we went to our big box store and found a roll of screen fabric that was promoted as strong enough to last and not too fine of a mesh to disallow overflow, in the case of excessive rains. We avoided metal screening so the material was some kind of nylon or other material. We then bought some large clamps (they were called "adjustable worm duct clamps". We chose specifically a 7-inch size so that there wouldn't be any excess to trim off. We cut off a square section of the fabric mesh and draped it over an installed inlet top. We then clamped it, using a worm geared clamp. The clamp was positioned at just slightly lower than the very top of the drain. After that, it was easy enough to then cut and trim off the excess screen. I've mowed about a dozen times now and have hit and scraped some of these without any ripping of the screen so it was important to get a strong, durable covering for this purpose, even though it was expensive. I do realize that eventually the screening might need replacement, as I'm prepared to do with the roll of fabric and extra clamps in storage but I'm guessing it might be several years. Eventually, I'll gradually raise the ground level around the inlet drains so that I won't "bump" them any more while mowing. Hope this helps others.

Get your utility knife ready because half of the holes are not perforated correctly. So if you are buying this for that feature, be aware. You can't just knock them out as described.

This dry well arrives flat packed, and the assembly is easy. The plastic is sturdy, I have no concerns about it holding up over time. I would buy this again (but I hope to not need to).

3 stars because: the price is quite high at $190 for 4 pieces of plastic. Also, it wasn't obvious in the write up it doesn't come with a bottom. I guess it doesn't need it though. Otherwise the product seems sturdy and as advertised. But nearly $200 for a couple pieces of plastic seems a bit rich. Had to buy it anyways cause needed it!

Customers are very happy with this product. It's a MUST for residential drainage systems.

Very easy to install and connect the pipes to it.