How to keep water out of the planter in the corner of my patio?
by
Sandy Ochoa
+17
It’s ruining my foundation. We thought by installing gutters it would help but it didn’t. I asked this question before but left out some details by accident. This is a planting area about 4’x4’ corner area open with soil the rest is a concrete patio. The planting area is about 10’ away from the yard. How can I drain this area without having to run a pipe under the patio? I feel like building it up will just make the water soak deeper?? See photo pls. We just bought this foreclosure and it’s a mess!
Why didn't the rain gutters work? From the initial photo, what is there now?
Could be as simple as a grading issue or a French drain.
It's hard to tell from the photo. Is the yard pitched toward the house? If that's the case then a drain or dry well might be the only solution. If it's gathering there from the overflow on the roof, you might have to address the area where the two roof lines meet and perhaps add a drain there that runs down the side of the house and away from the foundation.
That overlapping roof design looks like the water is overrunning down the brick wall which for sure will also ruin the brickwork causing efflorescence and degrading the mortar. (mason's ex) I would get that gutter tilted so the water flows faster out away from the house, even a few degrees makes a big difference. Maybe have them put a downspout in that corner and run a underground extension right along the base of the foundation, and have them paint the foundation with liquid rubber. Is that a catch basin in the corner? If so tie the downspout into it and the underground extension. Watch some of this pro's videos... https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=apple+drains+and+catchment+basin+in+outside+corner+of+house
Can you dig a trench that runs away from the house?
Could you do a band of gravel beside the house? Maybe a foot or so. You could dig down a few inches and make a trough. It would let hold the water against the foundation then. 🤷♀️
It looks to me like you need a french drain along the foundation.
First I think you need a professional to dig out that area and check the foundation damage. You may have a bigger problem than you think. A waterproof barrier may be needed.
My guess is the concrete patio is draining toward the house rather than away from it. If you get the foundation checked and fixed if needed, I would extend the concrete all the way into the corner and pour a leveling concrete to drain away from the house.
https://www.hunker.com/12489164/how-to-pour-a-leveling-layer-of-concrete-over-the-existing-uneven-old-concrete-floor
In my opinion, a large part of the problem is that the earth that you are calling a planter is right up against the house. As greenery is planted in this earth, it needs to be watered regularly.
Many landscaping experts agree that no earth that is sustaining any plants should be right up against the house. It will invite the type of drainage problems that you are fighting with. In my experience, many folks plant too much too close to the house, which once again results in similar problems.
To use this corner as a flower garden area is fine as long as an enclosed raised wall planter is build first. All the earth that is watered will then be contained inside the raised planter. More water should then go into the roots, as opposed to flowing down and pooling in the low areas, which seems to be happening now.
Depending on where you live, these structures are also called raised flower beds. Here are some examples:
As ordinary rain/melting water is not draining away efficiently from the general area, I concur with others that another part of the problem may be due to the property not having an adequately functioning weeping tile system. To install a new system is a huge costly job requiring much physical strength and know-how.
I agree with the others - the property doesn't have a functioning weeping tile system.
I would put a gutter in that corner with a ground extension to force the water to go away from the house. I would also slope the ground with some top soil so that the water is flowing away from the house. Home Depot & Lowes sell long gutter extensions.
I would add gravel or drain .. that is how your roof is build and not gutter
That small dirt area will always retain water, and water will always get on that area unless there’s an overhang. The only water that gets in the gutters is what falls on the roof. This means putting in a French drain, or sealing the foundation. Both solutions will require you to demo at least part of the concrete patio.