I have just installed a gutter drain system in my yard. All down spouts drain into a large dry well via 4" corrugated tubing. I was wondering if I should put down spout filters, Like this one Aquabarrel(R) - Aquabarrel Rain Barrel: Downspout Filter Slim Line - Aquabarrel.com, or is it really a problem letting leaves and other debris into the underground system and the dry well?

 

No one uses a gutter drain system? Am I posting in the correct forum.

 

I do not use a dry well system. I would think it depends on how big the dry well is and if it has an easily accessed lid. Also how many leaves actually get into the dry well. Placing gutter guards on the gutters would also help.
If the leaves are enough that it could be a problem then I would look into the gutter guards as they are mostly self cleaning and the filter is not.
If there is not a large amount of leaves I would not worry about it as the bugs in the dry well will most likely eat them. Or they will decompose naturally.

 

I use dump-to-atmosphere underground piping because I live on a mountain, but leaves can be a problem if they get crossways half way down the line. I agree with Ben to use gutter guards primarily to keep larger items out of the downspout. You can, then, use these downspout filters to catch the smaller stuff. If you don't use gutter guards, you'd better get a good rain suit. You will be cleaning these things out every 10 minutes. I don't particularly like the bowed up metal guards as they seem to catch twigs, which catch leaves, and they don't really clear themselves. Big Orange has a new design, similar to gutter helmet that is smooth on top with a capillary drip edge. Leaves would, in theory, slide off the top and off the roof while the water would drop into the gutter.

 

i dont know about leaves underground but i can attest that years of leaves/debris in the gutters will clog your downspout. regardless of whatever system you have, i cannot underscore the importance of preventing stuff from getting into the downspout. i'm not a fan of ladders but i bit the bullet and 100% cleared out my gutters with a hose and had to use a line to unclog around the S bend of the downspout. it was that bad. maybe if you do it every year it's not so bad but i put up the 2 dollar plastic guards from home depot all around the house so ill never have to find out again. very EZ to cut however you need to and very ez installation.