Your backyard patio should be a place to relax and hang out, but what happens when a problem arises, like excessive water. Do you know how to stop water pooling on the patio?
To stop water pooling on the patio, you can install a pop-up drain, build a French drain, drill holes in the patio to add gravel, or re-direct water off your patio. Preventing water pooling can avoid safety risks and ensure a secure outside area.
This article will help you understand why water is pooling on the patio and how to stop it from happening.
Why Does Water Pool On The Patio?
Patios tend to be flat and more likely to collect water. In addition, a concrete patio can hold water for quite some time after a rainstorm. While those are some of the most fundamental reasons for water pools on patios, there are others to consider.
Water pools on patios for several reasons, including:
- Clogged draining system
- Overflow from roof overhangs
- An improper slope on the patio
- Incorrect installation of patio
- Your patio has shifted over time, causing cracking and uneven pavement
- The base material of your patio is not thick enough
As you can see, there are many reasons why pooling occurs on your patio. Now that you know why it happens let’s discuss how to stop it from occurring.
Best Ways To Stop Water Pooling On The Patio
Knowing how to stop water pooling on the patio can help ease the problem. Patios are expensive additions to a house, so you undoubtedly want to ensure you don’t run into problems over time. Several methods help the issue, and you must figure out which one works best for your situation.
Here’s how to stop water pooling on the patio:
Install A Pop-Up Drain
Even if you have an existing patio, you can install a drainage system to prevent water from pooling. Pop-up drains aid in moving water and moisture away from your patio. In addition, a pop-up drain is a relatively simple DIY project; you can complete it over the weekend.
To install a pop-up drain, you should:
1. Start by digging a trench near your patio. The trench should begin at the location of your downspout and end where you want the water to exit.
2. Next, lay your drainpipe inside the trench and use a hose to check whether the water correctly flows from one end to the other.
3. Now, attach a downspout to the drainpipe.
4. Attach a pop-up drain emitter and ensure the elbow is facing upwards and place the pipe and elbow in your trench.
5. Lastly, add dirt to your trench to ensure it is level with the ground. You can also add grass seed as a final step.
Build A French Drain
Remember, you can always have a professional come to build a french drain. If you aren’t much of a DIYer, then someone with expertise is likely your best option. However, if you’re up for a project and have a weekend to spare, then you definitely can build a French rain to stop water pooling on the patio.
Here are the steps to making a French drain:
1. Decide where water is pooling from and where you want it to go
2. Dig a trench about 18 inches deep and 10 inches wide
3. Line your trench with a weed barrier or filter fabric to prevent dirt from entering the trench
4. Pour gravel on the bottom of the trench to prepare for drainage
5. Attach pipe connections
6. Place the pipe drain inside the trench
7. Cover the drain with filter fabric and gravel
8. Fill the trench with topsoil and ensure you compact the dirt to cover the French drain completely
You want to regularly inspect the French drain to ensure no gravel or debris is causing a blockage. Unfortunately, you can cause additional problems if your trench is clogged or retaining other substances.
Finally, while French drains and pop-up drains sound similar, there is one distinct difference. A French drain is a surface structure, while pop-up drains are below the surface. However, both are ideal ways to stop water pooling on the patio.
Drill Holes In Existing Patio
While it doesn’t work for all patios, you can fix water pooling by drilling holes into your patio. Once you have created your holes, you add gravel to allow drainage. It would be best if you only drilled holes to be about 3cm in diameter.
If you are unsure if your patio can handle drilling, speak with a professional who can offer guidance. You want to ensure you don’t damage your patio during the process of drilling holes.
Re-Direct Water Off Your Patio
If building a drain isn’t your speed, you can help stop water pooling by re-directing the water off your patio. To accomplish this, you must change the direction of downspouts to avoid standing water. Usually, this means a gutter is aimed directly at your patio, and you need to find a more suitable place for it to drain.
Sometimes, re-directing gutters is the simplest solution, but you often don’t notice the problem. Remember, gutters can shift in a bad storm, so if water pooling is a new issue, this could be the root of your problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to overlay my patio to stop water pooling?
If water pooling is a significant issue on your patio, you may want to consider an overlay to create a slope. A slope will help water run off your patio instead of forming puddles, thus avoiding water pooling. Patios should generally have a slight slope to allow for proper drainage.
Why is water pooling on the patio a problem?
A significant amount of water pooling can infringe on your home and lead to major problems. While it would take a lot of water to create such damage, it shows how water pooling is not ideal. In addition, standing water attracts mosquitoes, causes mildew and moss, and can be a safety risk if slippery.
Conclusion
We hope this blog post helped you figure out how to stop water from pooling on your patio! If it did, please share it wherever you can!
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