Guide · Drainage, Walls and Care
Drainage Basics for Patios and Yards
Water is the number one cause of patio and yard problems. Here is how slope, drains and gutters work together to keep things dry.
Call us today615-209-7643Water is the number one cause of patio and yard problems. Here is how slope, drains and gutters work together to keep things dry.
Slope is the first defense
A patio should slope gently away from the house, usually about one quarter inch per foot, so water runs off the surface and away from the foundation. Grading the yard around it carries water farther.
Drains for the places slope cannot reach
French drains collect groundwater in perforated pipe set in gravel. Catch basins collect surface water in low spots. Both connect to an outlet that carries water to a safe place.
Downspouts and roofs
Roof water is a lot of water. Downspouts should connect to buried pipe that discharges well away from the house and the patio.
Warning signs
Puddles that linger, mud near the foundation, moss and staining on patios and dips in the lawn all tell you water is not leaving. A site visit finds the cause and the simplest fix.
In This Guide
Outdoor Living Styles Mentioned
Lake, Farm and Hillside OwnersSpecial Yards and Settings
Hillside and Terraced Yards
Retaining walls and steps that turn a slope into usable, beautiful levels.
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TN Patio designs and builds patios, outdoor kitchens, fire features, pergolas, walls and complete outdoor living spaces for homes across Tennessee, from first sketches and 3D plans to the first evening outside.
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