Patios are a wonderful opportunity to create a beautiful, peaceful outdoor space on your property. They can be simple or intricate in their design and feature all sorts of design elements, like a pool or garden area. However, one thing that every patio needs is proper drainage. Without it, you can find yourself with a big problem that can result in your hard work being destroyed.
Patio Drainage Problems
Here are some of the significant drainage problems you can encounter with your patio if you aren't careful:
1. There is an Improper Pitch
When preparing the ground for your patio layout, you may think you need to have everything completely flat and level. That can lead to a pretty significant problem. When the ground is completely flat, there is nowhere for water runoff to go, so it is left sitting, where it can erode the ground and any patio pavers.
Instead, the ground must have a slight, gradual slope that allows for water runoff to flow in the direction of the patio drain, and away from the patio surface.
2. Your Drain System is Clogged
3. Poorly Situated Roof Overhangs and Downspouts
Your patio is in your backyard, which means it’s not too far from your roof and downspouts. While it may not seem like such a big deal, your roof overhang and the accompanying downspouts can lead to another significant patio drainage problem: pooling water. Your roof overhang is what guides water runoff from your roof to the gutter and downspout system. If the downspouts are not installed the right way, it can release the water directly onto your patio with nowhere else to go, and will be left to sit in a puddle that can eventually erode any concrete or pavers.
Fortunately, solving this issue is incredibly easy: you want to pay attention to the installation of your downspouts, so you can ensure they are pointing downhill towards the drains. Furthermore, you want to make sure your gutters remain clear of leaves and other debris so that they can work properly in order to catch water runoff and direct it to the downspouts.
4. Sinking Pavers
So, you designed your perfect backyard patio, and it looked beautiful. After a while, you noticed your pavers seemed to be sinking, but couldn't understand why. While it may just be because they weren't installed correctly, it could also be pointing to a much bigger drainage problem. That means that when the ground was prepared for the pavers, the ground may not have been excavated deep enough to get past the first layers of soil, and a base of gravel or crushed stone was possibly overlooked, which helps control drainage.
5. Improper Placement of Drains
The Solution to All Your Patio Drainage Problems
Slot Drain is a pre-sloped, pre-assembled trench drain system that is perfect for landscape and patio applications. The system is extremely easy to install, and the slim channel opening means that there is no risk of foreign objects falling into the channel and clogging the system. It comes in various finishes, including galvanized and stainless steel, which makes it impact-, bacteria-, and corrosion-resistant. Furthermore, the system has a sleek, modern design that does not require a grate so that it can blend seamlessly with any patio design.
What also helps Slot Drain's system stand out is the fact that it is so easy to maintain compared to other systems. There is the option to have a self-cleaning system in place or to simply use a brush and paddle to easily clean the channel within a few minutes.
Stop Patio Drainage Problems Before They Start
You put a lot of time, money, and possibly even sweat into your patio, so it makes sense that you want it to last as long as possible. For that to happen, you need to avoid patio drainage problems like the ones mentioned above. They can be costly and detrimental to the appearance of your patio, and possibly the foundation of your home. Before you even start making your patio beautiful, make sure you've got a Slot Drain system in place to help take care of all your patio drainage needs, and keep it looking beautiful for years to come.
