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Inlet Protection Product Selector
Add each storm drain, curb, or field inlet on your site, match it to the right Dandy or Streamguard filter and size, and build a live parts list you can add to cart in one click.
Inlet protection is a temporary sediment barrier placed at or around a storm drain inlet so sediment-laden runoff drops its load before entering the storm system. The biggest choice — matching the product to the inlet type (curb, drop/grate, or field grate) — is exactly what the selector walks you through. Use the tool, or read the full guide below.
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Most job sites have more than one inlet to protect — a couple of curb inlets along the street, a few drop grates in the parking area, maybe a field grate out back. The Inlet Protection Product Selector at the top of this page lets you add each inlet as its own line, match it to the right product — Dandy Bag, Dandy Sack, Curb Bag, Inlet Guard, Streamguard, and more — pick the size, set the quantity, and watch it roll up into a single live parts list with current pricing. When the list is complete, add everything to your cart at once.
What Inlet Protection Does and Why the Type Matters
Inlet protection is a temporary sediment barrier placed at or around a storm drain inlet so that sediment-laden runoff drops its load before it enters the storm system. On any site where soil has been disturbed, it's a required best management practice — keeping silt, soil, and construction debris out of storm drains, protecting downstream waterways, and keeping your project compliant with EPA and local stormwater regulations. Using the wrong style for a given inlet is one of the fastest ways to draw a notice of violation.
The single biggest decision is matching the product to the inlet type, because that determines how the filter is supported and how water reaches it:
Curb Inlets
A vertical opening in the curb face along a street or parking lot. Water flows in sideways at the gutter line.
Drop (Grate) Inlets
A horizontal grate that water drops down through from above — catch basins and area drains. The most common inlet on a job site.
Field Grates
Grates set in open ground or turf away from a curb. Often fully enclosed so runoff is filtered from every direction.
Curb Inlets vs. Drop (Grate) Inlets vs. Field Grates
If you take away one idea, make it this: a curb inlet takes water from the side, through a vertical opening in the curb, while a drop inlet (also called a grate inlet) takes water from above, down through a horizontal grate. They're protected with completely different products. A field grate is a drop inlet sitting out in open ground rather than against a curb, which is why products meant for it tend to fully enclose the grate.
Above, Over, or Below the Grate?
Once you know you have a drop or grate inlet, the next decision is where the filter sits relative to the grate:
- Below the grate — a sack hangs down inside the inlet and the grate sits back on top. Examples: Dandy Sack, Streamguard.
- Over the grate — fabric wraps up and around the grate so runoff filters through on the way in. Example: Dandy Bag.
- Above the grate — a three-dimensional guard sits on top for extra overflow capacity in heavy rain. Example: Dandy Inlet Guard.
- Fully enclosed — the unit wraps the entire field grate so it's filtered from all sides. Example: Dandy Pop.
The Product Families at a Glance
| Product | Inlet Type | Install Position | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dandy Bag® | Drop / grate | Over grate | Reusable everyday grate protection |
| Dandy Sack® | Drop / grate | Below grate | Heavy sediment, settles below grate |
| Dandy Sack®, Framed | Drop / grate | Below grate | Rigid frame for added structure |
| Dandy Inlet Guard™ | Drop / grate | Above grate | Extra overflow capacity in heavy rain |
| Streamguard® | Drop / grate | Below grate | Light-duty parking lots and finished sites |
| Dandy Pop® | Field grate | Fully enclosed | Open-ground field grates |
| Dandy Recycler™ | Drop / field | On / over grate | Flat, fillable, wattle-style protection |
| Dandy Curb Bag® | Curb inlet | At curb opening | Reusable curb & gutter filtration |
| Dandy Curb Sack® | Curb inlet | At curb opening | Curb inlet with overflow capacity |
| Dandy Curb® | Curb inlet | At curb opening | Curb & gutter protection |
How Many Units Do I Need?
You need one inlet protection unit per inlet, sized to that inlet's grate or curb opening. Walk your site and count every storm drain, catch basin, and curb inlet inside your disturbed area and immediately downstream of it, then add each one to the selector above and match it to the correct product and size. A few products carry a minimum order quantity — the Dandy Sack and Sediment Filter Bag, for example, ship in minimums of 5 bags. If you're protecting a large site with mixed inlet types, our team specs orders with contractors every day at (800) 604-5537.
Installation and Maintenance Basics
01Install
Most below-grate units install by lifting the grate, slipping the sack into the inlet, and setting the grate back on top — no rebar required. Over-grate and curb units wrap or hook in place just as quickly.
02Inspect
Inspect after every significant rain, and remove accumulated sediment and debris from around the unit to keep it working and the site compliant.
03Empty & Reuse
Empty the unit once it reaches roughly one-third of its containment capacity. Units lift out by their straps and reinstall in minutes, and the product is reusable.
Inlet Protection FAQ
What is inlet protection?
Inlet protection is a temporary sediment control measure placed at or around a storm drain inlet to filter sediment out of stormwater runoff before it enters the storm system. On construction sites it's a required best management practice that helps keep a site compliant with EPA and local stormwater regulations.
What's the difference between a curb inlet and a drop inlet?
A drop inlet (grate inlet) has a horizontal grate that water drops down through from above — protected with the Dandy Bag, Dandy Sack, or Streamguard. A curb inlet has a vertical opening in the curb face where water flows in sideways — protected with the Dandy Curb Bag, Dandy Curb Sack, or Dandy Curb.
How many inlet protection units do I need?
One unit per inlet, sized to that inlet's grate or curb opening. Count the storm drains, catch basins, and curb inlets within and immediately downstream of your disturbed area. Some products, such as the Dandy Sack, carry a minimum order of 5 bags.
Are Dandy inlet protection products reusable?
Yes. Most Dandy products are made from durable geotextile and are designed to be emptied and reused across multiple storm events and even multiple jobs. Empty the unit when the containment area is roughly one-third full of sediment.
Which inlet protection product should I use?
Start with the inlet type. For curb inlets, choose a Dandy Curb Bag, Curb Sack, or Dandy Curb. For drop or grate inlets, choose a below-grate filter like the Dandy Sack or Streamguard, an over-grate wrap like the Dandy Bag, or an above-grate overflow unit like the Dandy Inlet Guard. For field grates, the Dandy Pop fully encloses the grate.