Landscape Drainage Issues Resolved With Hardscape Patio and Drainage System

Before there was a drainage issues with water coming down the hill and landing against the house foundation. The yard was always wet and the dog would track mud in the house.



Installed a Techo bloc paver patio with mini creta Techo bloc sitting wall. Also installed a ProDrainsm (PDS system) to correct the drainage.

Now there is a nice new patio and a ProDrainsm (PDS system) drainage system and the dog is happy and clean.

Fixing drainage problems around a hardscape patio usually requires improving how water moves across and away from the surface. This can involve adjusting the patio’s slope so water flows away from nearby structures, installing channel drains in low areas, or using permeable pavers that allow rainwater to filter into the ground. Additional drainage strategies include adding French drains, building decorative dry creek beds, or extending gutter downspouts so large volumes of roof runoff are carried away from the patio area.

Common Patio Drainage Solutions

Adjusting the Patio Slope:

One of the most important steps is ensuring the patio surface slopes away from the home. A common guideline is about ¼ inch of drop per foot. Correcting the slope may involve removing existing pavers, modifying the base layer, and reinstalling the pavers so water drains properly.

Channel or Trench Drains:

These drains are often installed at the lowest points of a patio or where the hardscape meets grass or landscaping. They capture runoff before it can pool and typically include a grate that helps keep leaves and debris out of the drainage system.

Permeable Pavers:

Permeable paving systems allow water to pass through small gaps between the pavers and into layers of specially graded gravel and sand beneath the surface. This design helps water soak into the soil rather than collecting on the patio.

French Drains:

A French drain consists of a gravel-filled trench with a perforated pipe that collects underground water and carries it away from structures. This system is particularly useful when excess moisture builds up beneath the surface.

Dry Creek Beds:

A dry creek bed is a rock-lined channel designed to guide rainwater away from the patio and toward a safe drainage area, such as a rain garden or lower section of the yard. It also doubles as a decorative landscape feature.

Downspout Extensions:

Extending gutter downspouts farther from the patio helps prevent roof runoff from concentrating in one spot and overwhelming the surrounding drainage.

Ongoing Maintenance

To keep a patio drainage system working well, drains should be cleaned periodically and surface debris should be removed. It’s also helpful to loosen compacted soil around the patio from time to time so the ground can absorb water more effectively.