Info on Patio Sloping and Drains

When you imagine your pool patio, you may imagine it as perfectly flat and straight. And, indeed, a good, well-installed patio will probably look pretty straight. However, looks can be deceiving, and the best pool patios will actually have some slope to them, which is important for proper drainage.

How Much Slope?

So, you may be wondering, exactly how much should a patio slope? In general, the answer is about a quarter of an inch per each foot. Ideally, this slope will be virtually non-noticeable, but will be sufficient enough for the deck to do its job in terms of drainage.

Which Way Should the Slope Lean?

Just any old slope won’t do! A deck’s slope has to be in the right direction, which, in this case, is away from the pool itself and from the home. Where the water goes once you’ve diverted it will depend on the type of drainage system you’ve installed.

Natural Drainage

With just the right slope and the proper yard setup, you can sometimes allow drained water to run right back into the ground elsewhere in your yard. This is often the easiest and most natural setup, which means less expense and hassle for you. When this choice isn’t available, though, there are other drainage methods and options you can try.

French Drains

Another simple drainage solution is a French drain, which is basically a small trench that gets rid of excess water. This solution can be surprisingly attractive and works well if you’re experiencing water build-up in a particular area during draining.

Spot Drains

You may also want to consider spot drains, which are connected via underground piping. They carry water away from the pool and into the drainage location, ensuring your water ends up exactly where you want it.

As you can see, there are many options for providing your pool with the drainage it needs. Your pool company can tell you more about these and other possibilities and can help you to select the exact right one for your budget, your preferences, and your pool and yard.