A patio that pools water is a patio that's slowly failing. The Sandhills' mix of sandy and clay soils, combined with wet springs, makes drainage planning essential on every pour.
The Basic Rule: Slope Away from the House
Every patio should slope a minimum of 1/8" per linear foot away from your foundation. On a 16' deep patio, that's 2" of total fall — enough to move water off without being noticeable underfoot.
When the Grade Works Against You
Some lots slope toward the house, or have a fence or wall that prevents water from draining off the patio edge. In these cases, we design in a channel drain or French drain at the low edge. We flag this at the estimate and include the drainage solution in the quote.
Sandhills-Specific Considerations
Sandy soils drain fast, which means less standing water — but also means the soil under the patio can wash out if water flows along the edge. We detail the edges on sandy-soil lots to prevent erosion and undermining.
Have more questions about this?
Call Doug at (919) 478-1678 or request a free on-site estimate.
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