Rain water pooling on patio

boongywoongy

We've moved into a house that seems to have drainage issues in the garden when it rains. It used to have a number of ash tree's in the garden which have recently been removed but I don't think this is the reason. 

Does anybody have suggestions as to what may be the cause and a resolution? I can only think that it may be that the garden is sloping towards the house or that the adjacent flat roof building is causing it (it doesn't have guttering, although on observation, not a huge amount of water is running downwards).

If it is gradient of the garden, what can be done? Do I need to level it with a shovel or put up some sleeper barriers with a damp proof membrane perhaps?

twopenny

I have a garden that slopes more than that to the patio and paths and it doesn't flood.

I notice that the grass is patchy, more wet soil and that the soil is higher than the patio.

I would think that's a small part and easily rectified with an edging tool or spade. Temporarily putting bricks or planks to see if that slows the pooling.

Difficult to see what's under the water.

The hard standing part should be level and slightly sloped the other way.

Is there a gravel drain area around the neighbouring brick wall?

Is there a drain under there that is blocked? It's full of leaves and stuff.

boongywoongy

In front of the brick structure (leading towards the rear of the garden) is a concrete surface (large enough for a car but I suspect that it was erected to lay out table and chairs. I will check if there is any blocked drainage underneath it but I suspect not to be honest. Before we arrived, the garden was horrendously overgrown and there was a sofa just left where the pooled water is (the house was owned by a housing association whose tenants clearly didn't care for the garden).

"I notice that the grass is patchy, more wet soil and that the soil is higher than the patio.

I would think that's a small part and easily rectified with an edging tool or spade. Temporarily putting bricks or planks to see if that slows the pooling."

Apologies for my gardening ignorance but are you saying to use the edging tool and spade to define the point at which the lawn meets the concrete patio (where the water is) and perhaps lay down some barrier like wood or brick?

badmemory

I would actually blame the tree removal.  My garden got a lot wetter when the neighbours removed their small hedge.  Luckily the land there slopes away from the house.

Dustyevsky

Problems like this occur in many gardens, even those of very modern houses supposedly built to more stringent regultions.

The 'patio' has been laid wrongly, probably by a former resident when the conservatory-type structure was added. They achieved a fall away from their conservatory, but sent the water towards the wall on the right. They might have been vaguely aware not to raise the surface further than two bricks down from the DPC (which I can't see in the photo) to avoid creating issues with damp.

I don't think there's a quick and easy solution that doesn't involve creating a soak away and a French drain. Even then, the garden's topography might need considerable changes, too. You may have other priorities if you're newly moved in. Live with it for now, assess how much of a nuisance it is, and go from there.

Cheslea2010

I would be tempted to pull the concrete up and start again. Chances are you will want to pave the area outside the back door somewhere down the line which will mean it is too high for the DPC anyway.

twopenny

"use the edging tool and spade to define the point at which the lawn meets the concrete patio (where the water is) and perhaps lay down some barrier like wood or brick"

Exactly. It's an hour or twos work that may reduce the wet and allow you to focus on other things. If it doesn't work at all - time to move on to plan two.

If it helps you could sink some paving edging slabs or some of the nice Victorian twist edging as a quick one day job.

But I think you're flood is probably the amount of rain we've had this year and most of the puddle is from the sky

I'd agree with getting that concrete up and getting it laid properly. Just hope the base of the conservatory isn't too close to the concrete so you can lay a decent patio with French drains. Nows a good time to get quotes because it will be a while before you can get anyone decent.

It's something I had to deal with when I moved, the laying of slabs. Glad I got a good firm to do it even though it was more expensive than odd job guys. It made the house look so much better, instantly and I said if I moved again it would be one of the first jobs I did and get it done properly. It raised my spirits for dealing with the rest...........

It's an ideal garden for a smaller version of doing something like this

or this

I put in a small hedge which will help soak up the moisture - Morrisons dwarf box, £3 each. Balls Tescos £12

boongywoongy

Inspired by the comments (thanks again) we have looked for any blocked drain but there doesn't seem to be any unfortunately.  Are we saying that excavating the garden and making it level wouldn't help? I appreciate that it's a lot of work but likely to be cheaper than installing a soak away?

Farway

Not knowing the surrounding land / gardens excavating the garden to level it may actually make it lower than the surrounding area and turn your garden into a pond area

And remember, a soak away needs somewhere to soak away to. What is the underlying soil? Clay would be backbreaking, chalk would be lovely.

I think you require a bit more investigation into the surrounding area, are you in a low spot, was it the village pond before your house went there?

Do the gardens either side of you have similar problems, or just you?

MikeJXE

2 different levels of concrete so where is the dpc ?

Where does the main house roof drain and is it possible to access it with a land drain ? 

twopenny

The water isn't coming through that hole under the higher concrete is it?

Good work so far