Here is why it is so important for your patio to have good drainage

For most, no home is complete without a patio or similar to spend leisure time on. Pavers are a go-to choice for many but like any hardscaping project, drainage needs to be a major consideration. Without it, you risk water problems with the infrastructure of your home and its surroundings. Here are all the reasons proper drainage is so important for your patio area.

Problems that can arise from improper drainage

Here are some of the more common issues that can arise from faulty or lack of drainage:

Fungal and plant growth
When pavers are unable to direct water away, it will sit on the pavers and they’ll remain damp for longer than they should. This continuous state of dampness can encourage plant and fungal growth on the surface of the pavers. Some of these, such as mould and mildew can be challenging to remove once they have permeated into the surface of the paver. Not only that, they usually look unsightly and can be slippery, making them a hazard. Pavers aren’t designed to be wet all the time, if they are, this can compromise their integrity and shorten their lifespan considerably. Chips and cracks will often form as a result.

Sinking pavers
When it rains and your paved area doesn’t have sufficient drainage, the water has nowhere to go. The water saturates the pavers and soaks the subgrade material underneath. The trapped water erodes this material and can cause the pavers to sink in areas. Sunken pavers can ruin the aesthetics of your patio, and divets can become a trip hazard. Laying your pavers on a concrete foundation as well as sufficient drainage for the area can help to reduce sinking. If you notice even the slightest variance in your paving, you should remedy it as leaving it as is will see the sinking deepen, and water will inevitably collect in them making the problem worse.

Flooding your nearby plants and grass
When your patio doesn’t have proper drainage implemented, most of the water will run off the pavers and onto whatever is surrounding it. In heavy downpours, this can mean that your lawn or plants around the patio will get flooded. This can cause rot or damage that is beyond repair.

Water entering the home
This probably has to be the worst-case scenario of not factoring drainage into your patio design. As mentioned above, excess water that doesn’t drain off as it’s meant to will run off onto everything that it is near. If this is your home, the water can infiltrate inside causing a variety of issues. If it’s only a short spurt of heavy rain, it may be a pool of water that gets inside, but if rain has been set in for a while, it can lead to flooding which can cause widespread damage.

Puddles of water sitting around the foundation
If you have left your patio without proper drainage and water tends to sit around the foundation of your home when it rains, it’s only a matter of time before it ends up in your house. The excess moisture can weaken the foundation and this can lead to integrity issues with the structure of your home. This is not only dangerous but, it can because very expensive to fix.

Ways you can implement good drainage on your patio

One of the most effective ways to ensure your patio has good drainage is with drains. The drains will collect excess water when it rains and direct it away from the patio to a location of choice. Pipes from the drain can infiltrate excess water into the ground or a separate location. It is best to discuss these options with your contractor to work out the best solution given the layout of your yard. Have a look at our commercial pavers here!

Consider the best foundation for your pavers
A simple paved area such as a path may only require subgrade material and sand to position pavers on, whereas something bigger such as a patio, requires a more stable foundation. Make sure that your contractor is using the best materials, this will ensure that water can drain away as it should and your pavers remain intact for many years to come.

Allow a slight slope

By installing your pavers on a slight slope, you can avoid pooling and flooding by directing water where you want it to go.

Why pavers are a fantastic hardscaping choice for your patio
The great thing about pavers is that they come in almost endless styles, shapes and materials, allowing you to find the perfect type for your home. They are exceptionally durable and will last for many decades when cared for correctly.

Without a doubt, drainage should be at the forefront of a new patio design. It ensures your home is protected, your pavers last, and they are safe to walk on.
Always ask your contractor what kind of drainage they are going to install, even if the space is small. There are a lot of different ways you can go about installing drainage, we’ve only touched on a couple of methods.

If you are considering pavers for your new patio, or you’re looking to give an old one a new lease on life, check out our bespoke collection at Bonita Stone. All our pavers are made to the highest standards by us right here in Perth.