How Does Water Exit the Patio? Will Water Flow Toward My House?
Paver patio. When it comes to installing any type of patio, walkway, steps or a pool surround, our utmost priority is obtaining the proper pitch of your patio in order to ensure that all water exits to the right location. A patio that is properly pitched will allow water to flow to the lowest point, which usually will be away from your home and toward your lawn area for drainage. As you continue reading, you will learn just how we accomplish the perfect patio pitch, ensuring there will be minimal to no water flowing toward your home.
Installing a Paver Patio – Heights
When it comes to installing your paver patio, our first focus is determining the height of the patio – giving it the proper pitch for the water to exit away from your home. When the patio space is more elevated near your home’s foundation and gradually declines as you move toward the grass, it will allow for safe and proper drainage. We install these patios with a 1-1 ½ inch pitch every 10 feet. For example, if you have a 20 foot patio, there will be a 2-3 inch pitch that spans the entire length of your space. Know that once your patio is completed, you will not feel the pitch whatsoever. We always follow guidelines, which state the standard pitch, by code, for a patio to ensure sufficient water runoff. If steps are involved in your outdoor space, a slight pitch will be added to them, allowing the water to run off and not settle on the steps. This will help keep you and your guests safe during the winter months, as it prevents ice build-up.
The Right Pitch – Pool Patios
The pitch on a pool patio is just as important and also requires more precise planning, as there are multiple pitches needed in order to allow water to exit away from your pool and your home. In some instances, this can not be achieved due to the location and height of the pool and or house. In this case, we have to add strip drainage to collect the excess water.
One example of a pitch that we often install for pool patios is referred to as a valley pitch, which is when the patio is pitched away from the house and pool to a central location. From that central location, there is a pitch that directs water toward the grass. You never want water running off toward your pool, since rainwater can increase your pool’s water level, causing chemical imbalances and thus, murky water.
All of us at affordablepatio.com take this matter very seriously, as it is our responsibility to ensure there is no future water damage to your property. Our team is highly trained in installing patios and they are aware of when proper pitching is necessary. For your own knowledge, check out these videos to learn more about how we install pitched patios (Link). We are looking forward to working with you and further explaining our protocol when it comes to making sure that water runs off your newly completed outdoor space.