It's simple science. Water moves in between things and by adding pavers to your landscaping, you're ensuring there are cracks and joints between them, which allows water to drain through.
Pavers are a great way to help homeowners control their water flow and water runoff. Before you build a hardscape for your home, it's important to think about where your water travels and where you can incorporate drainage.
An influx of water that sits for a long period of time can damage your paver surfaces by weakening the cracks or chips already present. If your pavers are already loose, they may collapse. Flooding can also lead to erosion when soil and rock are transported and deposited into the area.
A Paver Patio with Poor Drainage
Sunken pavers can lead to water “pooling” on top of the patio. Pooling can also occur when the pitch isn't correct. This could lead to low areas that will always collect water.
A 1/2-inch gap between the pavers and the foundation is recommended – once it allows for proper water drainage and prevents water from seeping into your home.
The Right Slope for a Paver Patio
To prevent water from pooling up under the brick pavers, it is recommended to build your patio at least 1 inch for every 8 feet. With this gradient, rainwater will drain away from the foundation and prevent flooding in the basement or lower level.
Concrete will require more repairs over time than pavers.
Concrete slabs for patios, driveways, or other spaces aren't as durable as pavers and can crack, stain, and shift over time. These changes can also cause drainage issues in your yard, which can result in another hefty bill.
Concrete is prone to cracking and breaking over time along with color degradation, while pavers are much more durable and can withstand heavy traffic without showing signs of wear. In terms of appearance, pavers add a natural elegance to any outdoor space that concrete simply cannot match.
Pavers are naturally a low-maintenance solution, but sealant them actually requires more upkeep over time.
Permeable pavers are a great option for ensuring that you have adequate drainage for your pavers.
Standing water weakens pavers, leading to chips, cracks, and even erosion. During colder weather, water that gets into these cracks and crevices can freeze, causing cracks to expand and worsen. To prevent pavers holding water, you want to invest in draining the pavers.
Sloping the Patio
A simple way to handle heavy rains around your patio is to slope its base. By sloping the base material, gravity will naturally drain the water away from your home, preserving its structure.
If your backyard doesn't have a natural slope, you can install a filter fabric or geotextile as they are commonly called. They are made of a permeable material that prevents the subgrade from moving while allowing water to drain. By installing this underneath your pavers, you could extend the lifespan of your patio.
Pavers should be flush with the ground for a smooth look and feel.
Sealing your pavers can help prevent this fading, which can help maintain the overall aesthetic of your outdoor space. Decreased Drying Time: Properly sealed pavers do not allow water to absorb inside them. This significantly reduces drain time.
Made of clay, concrete, natural stone, or even porcelain, pavers can last 20-25 years without any major repairs with proper care and maintenance. If they are properly cared for and sealed, concrete pavers can last upwards of 50 years.
First launched by Techniseal in the early 2000s, polymeric sand is today considered as the ultimate paver jointing material out there!
As far as installation costs and concrete costs go, poured concrete is technically the most affordable per square foot. However, even though the upfront cost of pavers is higher, concrete pavers offer greater value and durability than poured concrete and stamped concrete.
Pavers are durable, affordable, and easy to maintain
Weeds also often grow through concrete cracks. Brick pavers are sturdy, stable, and allow for expansion and contraction. Brick pavers are easy to maintain, making them a prime choice above stamped concrete patio slabs.
The best and recommended paver base is 3/8-inch crushed gravel. The gravel provides a flexible base that absorbs ground tension to prevent frost heaves. This paver base contains crushed rock of various sizes and has gravel dust and added sand.
The truth is that pavers can add value to your home. The amount of value that is added will depend on several different factors. For instance, the first factor to consider is your property's current size and the area in which it is located. Aside from this, how the pavers are used will also make a difference.
Patios must have a slight slope (1" for every 4' to 8') for proper drainage.