Putting Drainage In An Existing Patio: The Essential Guide

Drainage is one of those essential components that need to be factored into most home improvement projects. Whether you’re making changes to your roof, building a new driveway, or having a patio installed, drainage should always be in the forefront of your mind. 

Poor drainage can lead to interior damp and mould, it can cause sitting water on exterior surfaces, and it can cause damage to exterior structures. To prevent issues like rising damp, mouldy walls, and slippery exterior surfaces, it’s essential to rid your home of any drainage problems. 

If you’ve had a patio installed and noticed that water is settling on the surface, or that the water isn’t draining properly, then you need to fix the problem quickly to avoid those common excess water issues. 

Luckily, there are a number of methods for adding drainage to an existing patio to get rid of the damp concerns and rid your exterior surfaces of sitting water. 

Putting Drainage In An Existing Patio: 4 Savvy Suggestions

Not all patios are built the same, so we’re going to be exploring four common solutions to adding drainage to an existing patio, starting with addressing problems with the pitch of your patio. 

1)    Overlay Your Patio

Building a slightly sloped patio is the key to adequate drainage. If your patio doesn’t have a pitch, then you’ve likely noticed that water is sticking around on the surface long after it has stopped raining. 

To add a pitch to an existing patio, you need to overlay it with a new material, to create the slope required for water to drain off.  This is normally about 15mm per metre and a half of patio surface.

A soakaway system is buried in the ground and normally topped with a gravel mix or similar. You can buy pre-made soakaways or build your own. For effective patio drainage, a soakaway is a great option

2)    Installing a Drainage Channel

A drainage channel is a common solution for existing patios with drainage problems. A drainage channel can be installed at the sloped end of the patio, or even in the middle if the patio can be overlaid, for both slides to slope into the centre. 

Drainage channels are built by digging a channel in the ground, using the patio as a barrier on one side and adding a secondary barrier to the other. Concrete is then added to the channel to support a plastic tube which will lead the water away from the patio area. For safety and to stop debris getting in, a metal grate is then added to the top.  

3)    Adding Soakaway Drainage

Soakaway drainage is one option if you have a pre-existing drain channel or are thinking of adding drain pipes. The system is connected to the drain pipes and allows water to easily drain into the soil.

A soakaway system is buried in the ground and normally topped with a gravel mix or similar. You can buy pre-made soakaways or build your own. For effective patio drainage, a soakaway is a great option.

4)    Constructing a Trench Drain

Trench drains should normally be installed pre-patio construction, but if you’re having major drainage problems it may be possible to install them afterwards. 

A trench drain consists of drainage basins installed in a grid pattern on your patio to allow the water to drain away. These are normally topped with gravel or brick to allow the water to soak through without destroying the look of your patio. 

For good natural drainage, a resin patio is a great investment that offers longevity, high aesthetic charm, plus superior strength and durability 

The Alternative Solution… Building a Permeable Patio

One solution to solve your drainage problems once and for all, is to install a patio that is permeable. A permeable material is able to lower the amount of water that runs off a surface, reducing the pressure on the drainage system and creating a much more effective drainage solution. 

Resin bound surfaces are one of the leading material options for permeable exterior surfaces, like driveways, garden paths, and patios. The material is designed to be strong and durable, as well as being compliant with Sustainable Drainage Systems.  

The natural drainage option is a huge benefit to the usability of your patio, but choosing resin as your patio of choice is not all about drainage. 

A resin bound patio is attractive, low-maintenance, and resistent to problems like weed growth and cracking. The surface is smooth, durable, and highly customisable, with a vast range of stone choices available to get a finished look that will complement your garden and your home. 

For good natural drainage, a resin patio is a great investment that offers longevity, high aesthetic charm, and excellent strength. 

Our range of garden products are designed to be practical, attractive, and effective, whether you select one of our high-quality fences, or choose to have a resin patio installed

Home Logic: Your Go-To Company For Garden Essentials!

At Home Logic, we always make sure that the essentials are done right, from installing suitable patio drainage, to achieving a beautiful finish. Our range of garden products are designed to be practical, attractive, and effective, whether you select one of our high-quality fences, or choose to have a resin patio installed. 

For more information about patio drainage and designing the best patio for your home, please don’t hesitate to call out team today on 0800 1700 636, or, alternatively, by simply clicking the button below!