Should a Patio Slope Towards The House?
Adding a patio to your home not only creates more living space but can also increase your property’s curb appeal. What’s more, there are several shapes and sizes you can incorporate into the design. As a result, people are constructing patios left and right.
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You can choose to build your own patio if you’re an avid DIY enthusiast, or you can hire a professional company to construct an outstanding outdoor living area. No matter which route you take, you’ll have to dig up a significant amount of your foundation for the project.
The amount of slope you use to build your patio is crucial, and we’ll dive deep into the specifics in this post.
Should Your Patio Slope Towards The House?
When it comes to building a patio, it should always slope away from the house. The reason why you don’t want it to slope inward is that it can collect an excessive amount of water and direct it towards your property. Whenever there’s too much water around your foundation, problems are bound to arise.
For starters, water can leak into your basement during a powerful rainstorm, where it can cause mold, mildew, and pests to infiltrate your home.
Some common water issues include:
- Damaged Foundation. Even a small leak can over time cause severe damage to your property if left for too long. The water can weaken and even destroy your home’s foundation.
- Flooded Landscape. We work hard to ensure our lawns look neat and tidy. However, too much water can flood your landscape and make your yard muddy and unkempt.
To properly construct a patio, make sure you have it sloping away from your home.
Why Does Patio Slope Matter?
One of the downsides of having a patio is dealing with water. While you can install reinforcements to prevent water from entering your structure, it’s much easier to design the patio slope properly. The slope can deter water from your house to prevent puddling. It’s the same concept as to why roofs are slanted.
The water will naturally move towards the lowest point of gravity. Once it’s there, you can have a proper drainage system to prevent your yard from flooding.
How Much Should A Patio Slope for Drainage?
In short, the typical slope for a terrace should be a quarter inch for every foot of space. If you’re using hard-scape surfaces, such as wood, gravel, or concrete, you should allow a 2% fall away from your house. Adding this much slope will allow your patio to drain water properly.
If you hire a professional contractor to build your patio, they should have all the tools and experience to create a sufficient slope. However, building your own patio will require you to measure the angle yourself.
What if Your Patio Has an Improper Slope?
If you already have a terrace and notice water pooling around your house, chances are it has an improper slope. Unfortunately, the best way to solve the water problem while retaining the aesthetics of your home is to dig up your current outdoor area and build a new one. Otherwise, you’ll need to set up a trench system and several other components to redirect the water.
If you don’t have the time or resources to build a new patio, consider reaching out to a local contractor to do the work for you. Not only will this help solve your puddling problems, but it will also make your home look more visually appealing.
Conclusion
No doubt, having a patio is something the whole family can enjoy. Whether you’re using it to have a family gathering or just want to wind down with a glass of wine with your partner, the backyard is an excellent place to relax. Remember, always slope your terrace away from your house to avoid any water issues.
If you believe your home is vulnerable to water damage, feel free to reach out to one of our experts here at All Dry USA. We provide affordable and effective solutions to restore your home to perfection.
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