Different ways to prevent patio floods when it rains

We all know patios are the perfect places to entertain guests during the spring and the summer when you want to enjoy the best of both the indoors and the outdoors. However, unexpected heavy rainfall can throw a spanner in the works by flooding your patio, leaving you with no option but to use sump pumps to remove the water or drain it out manually.

In this short but informative read, we’re going to discuss how you can prevent patio flooding when it rains.

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Why patio floods are a bad thing

Patios are usually large and flat surfaces made of materials such as concrete or wood. Concrete in particular creates nonpermeable surfaces that water cannot easily seep through or soak into the ground. It is, therefore, no wonder that when it rains, water tends to remain standing on the patio.

Standing water is not a desirable thing for multiple reasons. For one, it is the perfect breeding ground for disease-carrying mosquitoes. Mold and mildew also breed easily in these wet conditions. Paver patios are liable to collapse when they collect water and cause tripping accidents. And of course, you can hardly expect to entertain your guests on a flooded patio.

In addition, there is the fact that since patios are pretty much attached to our homes, the water can find its way to the home’s foundation, causing severe damage and weakening the structural integrity of your property. All these reasons make it imperative that you find a way to prevent patio floods.

As we all know, water runs downhill towards the path of least resistance. The simplest solution would be to provide the patio with a minor gradient and a drain for the water to flow out of. Let’s take a look at some simple solutions to help you prevent water from pooling on your patio.

Check for a clogged drain

One of the reasons you may have lots of water standing on your patio when it rains is because your patio’s existing drain may be clogged with debris such as fallen leaves and twigs.

To remediate this problem, you will need to first locate the drain and pull off the drain covers. Then, wearing heavy-duty gloves, you will need to reach into the drain and pull out as much of the gunk as possible.

Once most of the debris has been removed, shove a garden hose into the drain and let the water wash out whatever dirt may be remaining in the drain.

If this solution does not work, you will need to resort to more extreme measures, such as using a drain snake or even renting a hydro jet machine. If you aren’t very sure how to use those tools, maybe it is time to call a professional plumber.

Consider French drains

French drains are basically perforated pipes made of PVC installed on a sloped trench filled with gravel. The slope of the drain directs water away from the foundation of your home and the patio into the PVC pipe, while the gravel provides the water with a permeable space to trickle down into.

You can also learn more about how you could set up a French drainage system yourself. 

Add gravel to the patio

If you have a paver patio, adding gravel to your patio between the pavers may help prevent water from pooling. 

If you have a cement patio, you will need to cut channels into the patio and lay those channels with colored gravel pebbles. 

Regrade your patio

This is the option that will take the most work but will also provide your foundation with the most protection. It involves changing the slope of the patio to ensure any excess water flows away from your house.

There are a couple of ways you could achieve this. For example, if you have a concrete patio, mudjacking might be the solution. However, you would need to hire a professional mudjacking company to do that for you.

It is simpler with paver patios, where you could simply remove the pavers closest to the house, and increase the gradient by adding gravel underneath and replacing the pavers.

Always ensure you have an efficient drainage system

Water damage to your home’s foundation can lead to irreversible damage and expensive repairs. This is why it is important to plan for an efficient drainage system before you install a patio, especially if you live in an area that experiences heavy rains.

Of course, that does not mean you cannot install a drainage system on an existing patio. While it may take more effort than installing one during the construction phase, French drains and pop-up drains can still help you prevent your patio from flooding and allow water to drain safely away from your home’s foundation.

Written by Narayan Shrouthy. August 27, 2022

Narayan is a content writer for Kukun. With experience in both content writing and editing, Narayan mixes his writing and love for reading with his passion for music. As an active musician, He aims to be a key player in Kukun's content experience.