Patio Alternatives

[thebadger7]

Hi all

We're in process of renovating an old extension at rear of Victorian property. There is a hideous patio out back, which steps up around 20cm so is higher than base of wall at rear of extension. Water tends to pool here so can't be doing any good.

We're proposing excavating the lot and levelling, with a trench around the walls. But unsure on what's a suitable alternative to a patio that would help water drain away? The kitchen will be opening onto this space (eventually) so gravel wouldn't be ideal.

Any thoughts gratefully recieved!

Thanks

 

[Feltwell]

Hello,

You can't just easily slope a new patio away and lose the water that way I presume?

If no, then one option is permeable block paving, like this:-

https://www.marshalls.co.uk/gardens-and-driveways/driveways/permeable-paving

 

[Cubist]

From the photo its evident that there's a serious/severe slope behind the retainer wall sited above the raised patio area and this is clearly the source of the water pooling in the lowest areas next to the kitchen. No matter what you may ultimately do about the patio paving - Feltwells suggestion re permeable blocks is an excellent idea - however, unless you provide the means for rainwater to drain effectively from the lowest areas then all your efforts will be for nought. I would strongly recommend that you check the existing drains around the house to ensure they are working effectively and that any land-drains are routed to these or other means of escape.

One additional point from the photo. It looks to me like whoever built the patio may have breached the DPC at the back of the house, is there any evidence of damp indoors?

 

[thebadger7]

Thanks for the replies, block paving is a good idea. Yeah there is a slope in the garden (not crazy pitch but a slope nonetheless). Agree re. DPC, hence planning on digging out the patio and lowering it. Some damp in rear wall but it's around window rather than lower part in fairness. Current set up not great as water tends to pool and not flow to the drain (the one you can see in pic)

 

[a twig]

We did calibrated sandstone on a sharp sand base with NHL 5 and sand mix brushed in for pointing, and a ~5 degree slope off towards lawn - drained very well but needed a 6 monthly spray to keep the weeds down in the cracks, despite the weebrane underneath the sand