How can I effectively add drainage to my new gravel patio with a sloping yard to prevent water damage in rainy Connecticut?
Asked by Elliot Van Cruchten 
6 months ago
Last Updated: June 19, 2024
Hey, I heard it’s important to be really cautious when adding drainage to this new gravel patio. Any advice? The yard slopes towards the back corner of the house, so most of the water tends to collect there and flow down the hill. The idea is to layer 4 inches of stone, followed by 3/4 inches of decomposed granite, and finally 2 inches of surface gravel. This patio is meant for raised garden beds, and considering CT’s rainy climate, it’s something to keep in mind.
I’d consider installing a drain like a French drain or channel drain next to the house to redirect water away from the foundation. Hard to say for sure from the photos what the situation is like there.
Hey , I appreciate your input. I was thinking of placing it right in the center of the patio with the ground sloping towards it. Then run the pipe under the cobblestone to the hill in the back.
Do you believe that placing the patio closer to the house is a smarter choice?
In my opinion, either option would work, as long as you avoid having water accumulate near the foundation. When grading the ground to direct water towards a central drain, make sure to consider potential blockages and use larger stones for better drainage.
Perhaps I could slope the dirt foundation towards the French drain, then cover it with landscaping fabric before adding gravel, DG, and more gravel. Since I won’t be using pavers, the patio should drain properly.
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You can’t go directly with the drain because there’s a rock retaining wall at the opposite end
If the slope was like that and everything was fine, just stick with what was effective.
Include a French drain beneath the gravel to shift water towards the outer slope
Here’s how it appeared before making it level and including the retaining wall and cobblestone edging. Water drainage wasn’t a problem in this spot because everything would naturally flow around the house and downhill. However, growing grass was challenging due to the excessive water flow in this area.
It would be a good idea to install the drainage system today. Plan to add more rocks and finish the project before it starts raining tomorrow.
Make sure to avoid having water close to your foundation
Hey , thanks a bunch for the help! 😄
Haha, … You could add a drain in a bed of #2 gravel or open up the ‘wall’ on the lower side. Alternatively, you could choose not to contain it at all. Avoid putting Mulch close to your foundation as it could attract termites or other pests. Since you’ll be planting close to the foundation, opt for low-growing plants that require a lot of water and make sure to maintain the necessary distance. If you decide to use rocks as the final layer, make sure to use a thick weed barrier and HongWay staples. ‘t cut the weed barrier until the rocks are in place and raked.
Hey , I included a French drain that leads to the back down the hill. Then I put down the thickest landscaping fabric I could find and added 4 inches of crushed rock. The final touch will be decorative pebbles. Do you think I covered all your requirements?
Opening up the wall doesn’t appear to be a good choice since there’s a stone retaining wall on this side.
Just double-check that everything is properly secured. I would recommend putting the weed barrier directly on the crushed rock or adding more crushed rock now. I’m concerned that the pebbles and rocks might mix over time (especially after 2 years, particularly if you walk on them or have dogs). Also, if there is any weed barrier remaining, consider placing it under the window as well. If installed correctly, a good weed barrier can last up to 20 years.
Don’t forget to address the drainage issue… make sure your pipe slopes under the wall to prevent water from pooling in front of it. Could you check the size of that tree in the corner (left in the pic)? If it’s getting too big, its roots might cause problems for the foundation.
Hey there, thinking about removing the tree since most of the roots were cut recently for this project. The French drain pretty much ends where I am standing in the photo of the stone wall. It has been draining well so far and there is no standing water in the new patio area. I am waiting for 4 more tons of crushed rock to be delivered today because I ran out. I plan to clean out the drain, add more rocks, put down the weed barrier, and then add 4 inches of crushed stone on top. Also, I will add 3/4” of decomposed granite to hopefully prevent the crushed stones from mixing with the decorative stones.
Oh, and just so you know, I made sure the drain runs beneath the cobblestone and away from the patio area towards the hill at the back. This should keep any excess water from pooling on the patio if everything is done correctly.
You really made great progress over the weekend and you’ll definitely appreciate it, especially with fixing the water issues. Instead of planting directly in the soil, have you thought about using pots to avoid mixing them with the rocks? And don’t forget to keep blowing debris away with a blower to help prevent weeds from growing on the surface.
I know it might be a bit confusing since I only had enough rocks for half of the photos before. Once the entire square is filled with gravel, I’ll add a few raised garden beds on top. Hopefully, it’ll give you an idea of what to expect.
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Hey , I wanted to express my gratitude for all the assistance. It means a lot to me.
To prevent water from seeping into your basement or crawl space, ensure there is a minimum 1-foot slope over a 6-foot distance from your foundation. Once that’s in place, you can proceed with construction.
Do you think the French drain will solve that problem, ?