Improving Your Patio Drainage

Patio drainage is important for a variety of reasons. Water that pools on or near your house can infiltrate and cause damage.

Standing water also creates mildew, mold, and insects. Poor drainage can even erode the soil under your patio. Fortunately, there are several ways to address patio drainage problems.

Downspout Extensions

Downspout extensions redirect rainwater away from your home and foundation. This prevents water-related damage such as mold, mildew, basement flooding, and foundation problems. They can also improve the health of your lawn and landscaping by preventing areas of standing water from drowning plants.

Downspout extenders come in a variety of sizes and materials, including aluminum, plastic, and roll-out extensions. Some are even adjustable to manage varying amounts of water flow. In most cases, a single extension is sufficient for your home, but you can link multiple together.

Splash blocks are trapezoid shaped concrete slabs that redirect rainwater. They’re affordable and can be customized to fit the style of a landscape. However, they don’t have the same effect as other downspout extensions. Also, if your yard is poorly sloped, water from the extension may flow back to your house. If that’s the case, correct the slope with additional soil. For the most durable and effective downspout extension, you can bury one in your yard.

Channel Drain

Most patios are built on a slight slope to allow water to flow away. However, this may not be enough if you have large paved areas or live in an area with heavy clay soil. Adding a channel drain is an excellent option for improving your patio drainage.

Also known as a trench drain, a channel drain is a great way to prevent drainage and ponding issues on non-porous surfaces like driveways, patios and inground pools. It diverts water from these areas and into a more appropriate space, such as your yard’s lawn or gardens.

Unlike downspout extensions, which only redirect the water from your home’s gutter system, channel drains are designed to catch and distribute rainwater coming directly from the paved surface. They can be installed with a wide range of decorative grates to fit your aesthetic preferences and meet your drainage needs. Keeping your drains clear of debris and properly sized is essential for maintaining proper drainage on your patio.

French Drain

If you have a spot in your yard that has standing water after rain or when you use the sprinklers, a French drain is a good option. This underground drainage system diverts excess water away from the problem area and into a gravel-lined trench.

This is a long-lasting patio drainage system that is unlikely to clog when built properly. However, you should have the drains inspected regularly for clogs by a professional.

The pipe in a French drain is usually surrounded by gravel or rock at the surface level to keep silt from collecting around the pipe. When it comes to backfilling the trench, be sure to drape landscape cloth over the area before adding soil.

If you’re planning on installing a drain or any kind of digging project, call 811 to have your utility lines marked before beginning. Also, consider choosing permeable pavers to add attractive paths to your outdoor space while ensuring proper patio drainage protects your home’s foundation.

Permeable Pavers

This type of pavement allows rainwater and snowmelt to pass through the paving stones’ joints and be absorbed into the ground beneath them. This reduces flood risk and helps keep the water table at a healthy level. It also traps suspended solids, preventing them from being released into the drainage system.

This option is ideal for homeowners who live in areas prone to heavy rainfall or snowfall or whose municipalities have restrictions on the amount of impervious surface area on their property. It’s also a good choice for those who want to increase the number of trees and plants on their property.

Permeable pavers are similar to interlocking puzzle pieces, with plastic or concrete connectors and permeable materials like grass, gravel, or crushed stone between each brick, allowing water to flow between the hardscape material. This type of pavement is prone to clogging, so it’s important to monitor your patio drainage and replace the sand that lines the joints every few years.

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