How to install a drain in a concrete patio?

Author: Dr. Janae Dooley Jr.  |  Last update: Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Dig out the trench about 6 inches deep along the line, using a slope gauge to slope it 1/4 inch per foot. Dig a dry well about two to four feet wide and three feet deep at the low end of the trench. Line the trench with landscape fabric and gravel. Then lay in 4-inch perforated drainpipe with the holes facing down.

Can you put a drain in existing concrete?

Yes, you can add a trench drain to existing concrete.

How to drain water from a concrete patio?

If you want to get water out of the sunken area, you want to add a drain and pipe it to a storm drainage system, or depending on ground drainage conditions, pipe it to a dry well.

What is the best drainage for a concrete patio?

A concrete patio drainage channel like Slot Drain is the ideal way to protect your outdoor recreation area from the damaging effects of water. The most efficient option available, Slot Drain is a sleek, easy-to-install option that will easily handle any water runoff from your patio area.

How to install drainage in a patio?

How to build a French drain for a patio:
  1. Dig a channel 500mm deep. ...
  2. Add a 50mm layer of bedding aggregate to the bottom of the channel.
  3. Cover the aggregate layer with landscaping fabric. ...
  4. With your channel prepped, you can add your drainage pipe, ensuring the fall remains the same and the perforated side is facing down.

How to install an Easy Drain, clip together drainage

How do you install a drain in a concrete patio?

Dig out the trench about 6 inches deep along the line, using a slope gauge to slope it 1/4 inch per foot. Dig a dry well about two to four feet wide and three feet deep at the low end of the trench. Line the trench with landscape fabric and gravel. Then lay in 4-inch perforated drainpipe with the holes facing down.

Can you drill holes in patio for drainage?

A simple solution to patio drainage problems is to drill small holes in the surface. Holes approximately three centimeters in diameter allow excess water to drain and prevent issues with standing water. Fill the holes with gravel for a pleasing appearance.

Does a patio need a drainage channel?

However before you lay down any paving slabs, you should consider a patio drainage system. By ensuring the removal of standing water from a patio (which can happen as a result of heavy rainfall) a properly installed drainage system can help you to avoid bacteria growth and even insect infestations.

What happens when water sits on concrete?

Excess water can damage weak or unprotected concrete. Water seeping into soils beneath or pooling on top of your concrete slab can contribute to cracked concrete, sunken concrete, and even foundation settlement.

What are the options for concrete drains?

Different Types of Drainage Systems for Concrete
  • Trench Drains: Trench drains are a common choice for spaces with high water flow, such as courtyard plazas and pool decks surrounded by buildings. ...
  • Slot Drains: ...
  • Area Drains: ...
  • Permeable Systems:

How do I make sure my patio drains?

A good rule of thumb is to create a slope of about 2% away from the home or any nearby structures. This means for every 100 inches, the patio surface should drop 2 inches. Doing so ensures that water naturally flows off the surface and away into the yard or a designated drain.

Can I drill holes in concrete for drainage?

Drilling holes in concrete to create water drains is a practical solution for managing excess water and preventing damage. By following this comprehensive step-by-step guide, you can successfully execute the drilling process and implement proper sealing techniques.

Should I leave a gap between a patio and a house?

In most cases, it makes sense for a patio to go right up to a house. Whether you have a large or small patio, they are usually designed as an extension of the home and expansion of the available living area. For this reason, it's better for your outdoor living space to flow directly from your indoor living space.

How do you install plumbing in an existing concrete slab?

The traditional way of installing plumbing would be to cut through your concrete slab so you can lay the plumbing and connect it to your existing sewer point. This will give you the most seamless result, and the end result will be similar to if you had laid it in the slab from the beginning.

Can PVC drain pipe be encased in concrete?

In summary, PVC pipes can be embedded in concrete, but they need to be handled with caution in practice. Its advantages are that it can protect pipes, save space and improve fire resistance, but it also has disadvantages such as installation difficulty, thermal expansion problems and difficulty in later maintenance.

What is the enemy of concrete?

Water is the most common enemy of concrete surfaces. When water penetrates the surface of concrete, it can cause it to crack and weaken. This is especially true in colder climates where water can freeze and expand, creating even more damage.

How to fix water pooling on a patio?

You may need to regrade the patio surface or level the concrete to ensure it slopes away from the house. This can involve resurfacing the patio, leveling the concrete, adding a topping material like gravel, or creating a slight incline to direct water flow away from problematic areas.

Does concrete absorb dog urine?

Concrete is porous. When urine lands on a concrete area, it bonds tightly to the concrete as it dries, penetrating deep within its pores. This can make odor removal particularly difficult. That terrible stench lingers long after the liquid has been absorbed, and can last months unless treated properly.

Can you install a channel drain in existing concrete?

Despite how it may seem, it's actually relatively easy to retrofit a drainage system, especially with the right system. Here are some considerations to make when installing a channel drain in existing concrete, without any issues.

What is a soakaway?

A soakaway consists of a hole dug in the ground and filled with rubble or plastic crates. It provides a solution to excess surface water by letting it slowly drain and soak into the ground instead of build up.

How much slope does a patio need for drainage?

In general, a slope of 1/8 to 1/4 inch per foot is considered a good starting point for patio slope. This means that for every 12 to 24 feet of horizontal distance, there should be a 1-inch drop in elevation.

Can you use rocks instead of drainage holes?

Landscape Rocks

Differences in texture from the soil to the rocks can affect the way water moves through the container. The rock layer can cause water to remain in the soil above it, rather than encouraging drainage. However, gravel in a container can help keep soil from washing out of the pot a little at a time.

How to add drainage to a patio?

Line your trench with permeable geotextile fabric and lay 20-40mm of clean aggregate to a depth of 75mm in the bottom. The aggregate must be an even depth and follow the fall. Then lay a 100mm perforated plastic drainage pipe in the centre of the trench on top of the gravel bed.

How to fix a low spot in a concrete patio?

Add Extra Concrete

If water is pooling in low spots of the concrete surface, you can fill them in with additional concrete or self-leveling concrete compounds.

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