Can pavers be laid on top of dirt without causing a drainage problem?
by
Beverly
+3
I had some extra 4x6 paving stones left over from my front walkway job. This afternoon I laid them down in a nice pattern in an area where we keep trash cans. I raked and cleaned up the spot, put pavers down and put clean trash cans back. Here's the problem: my husband thinks rain water will not drain properly and might go into nearby window well. He said they should be put on sand, level with the ground, not "on top of" the dirt. He piled them all back up in the corner : ( I thought water could go between the pavers since there is no mortar. There are gutters above, so water wouldn't gush down. But I don't want to be foolish and take a chance of a flood in my basement. Any opinions??
6 answers
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Water will pass between the pavers...so that part is not an issue. What is more of a concern is how the space is sloped. Proper grading will have more of an impact than the stones.
KMS Woodworks
on Jul 03, 2013
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If you can provide a picture with the slope showing it might help determine if the pavers with impact the flow of the water. If you take the picture get a good ways back from the area so we can see how the water might possibly be flowing. I agree partially with @KMS Woodworks the slope is the determining factor, however the pavers may actually impede or change the flow of the drainage.
360 Sod (Donna Dixson)
on Jul 03, 2013
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actually, there isn't a slope. It's all flat ground except for the window well. I will take picture and figure out how to post it. Thanks
Beverly
on Jul 03, 2013
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I had a walkway and laid pavers on top. It blocked the flow of water. So yes it is possible. Since the pavers are above ground level they will block any water running towards them. It may divert it around, but honestly, cut down into the soil and lay them. Once i removed mine, the problem of water backup went away.
Cynthia
on Jul 04, 2013
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I still didn't get a picture posted, but based on these comments, I think I will put in the extra effort and lay the pavers properly (or if I get lazy, I'll find another use for them). Thanks for the advice.
Beverly
on Jul 07, 2013
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Good luck @Beverly and let us know how it turns out!
360 Sod (Donna Dixson)
on Jul 07, 2013
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