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My house has a concrete patio (about 16x16 though its 5-sided) which is not sloped properly for drainage. In some sections it seems basically level, in others (near the doorway of course) it actually pools water.

The worst area I estimate slopes about 1/8" per foot the wrong way.

The concrete itself is in excellent condition. It doesn't show any signs of settling, I think it was just not poured with correct slope in the first place (*).

I am planning to deck this over with sleepers laid over the concrete. S the concrete appearance is not very important.

Ideas how to deal with the slope:

  1. (CAN'T DO) Pour some leveling compound - height by the doorway is already very tight, can't afford to lose any of it

  2. (POSSIBLE) Grind 8-12" wide channels to achieve at least 1/8" per 1' slope, from the low spots to the yard. Rent a grinder like the example pasted below. Concern: might have to grind off a lot of material, maybe this is not practical.

  3. (POSSIBLE) Cut channels with a diamond demo-type saw with correct slope. Cut as many as needed. Concern: thin channels may clog with time.

Are either #s 2 or 3 feasible? Am I missing anything important, or is there another option I'm ignorant of?

(*) I think this was bad planning, not a construction error. This area was once covered and not exposed to much water.

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  • How long is the section that slopes 1/8" per foot the wrong way? – JACK Aug 16 at 15:50
  • @JACK that area is about 6-8' across, its sort of an oval. It, and the door, are in one corner of the patio. From the door to the yard is about 16'. – UuDdLrLrSs Aug 16 at 15:51
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Grinding or cutting channels would be really hard. Some spots they's have to be up to an inch deep. I would drill a few 1/2" holes in the concrete where the water pools and let it just soak into the ground. You could cover the holes with a drain cover if you were concerned about the appearance.

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  • I like this thought... I don't know what's under the slab. Probably gravel and then our normal clay soil. I wonder how well that would soak away? – UuDdLrLrSs Aug 16 at 16:34
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    @UuDdLrLrSs Probably the same as at the edge of the slab... you could experiment. – JACK Aug 16 at 16:48
  • With sleepers and decking appearance won’t be an issue, I find drilling multiple 1/2” holes may take as long and still have issues plugging. surface grinding 8’ in a couple of places could be done with an angle grinder and cutting disk less expensive than renting that grinder for 1/2 day but by hand would take a little longer. I like to direct water away from the home even if no basement. – Ed Beal Aug 16 at 19:22

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