Do I need to add drainage when Limestone/Flagstone my back yard?
My backyard is currently all dirt and grass. I am planning to lay down limestone or flagstone to about 70% of the yard. Does anyone know if I need to add a drywell to the center of my yard for drainage? Also does anyone have a great referral for this type of project?
suebklyn
in General Discussion 8 years ago
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10 replies
evar | 8 years ago
I would definitely install a drain. Note that you may have some remnants of a concrete slab in your garden below the soil somewhere (chances are). If that occurs and you have no drain, your rain water drainage will seep away the sand below the stones that are bordering the slab and your stones will sag on that point. Also consider, that when you do install a drain, that you may want to place a one-way drain valve into the pipe. You can get them at amazon for $8 or so. If this drain is the lowest of all your drainage, it will be the first one to back up if there is a heavy downpour and the sewer temporarily can’t handle it. I had that issue and the one way drain valve solves it for me.
Good luck. with the project
murph | 8 years ago
Check your plans for the original drainage system. The back yard should have been tied into the main waste line in your cellar to your sewer system and out to the street line.
If not, look over the fence to your neighbors. What do they have? Better yet ask since any mistake on your part will accrue to them(and their lawyers).
Certainly keep whatever you cover the yard with is permeable so it will drain into the soil beneath.
Are you on a slope? Are the perimeters of your rear yard walled off as the water will build up and press against them. Big downpours(not just hurricanes) deposit heavy amounts of water in a very short time, and hydroponic pressure will build up against your rear foundation wall or under the slab in the cellar or at any lot-line retaining wall. Over time you will find out which. Good luck.
xchx | 8 years ago
I paved probably 70% of my yard. Most of it is pavers over a couple inches of sand, with sand grout. Haven’t had any drainage problems. I know it’s recommended to use more sand and gravel but I didn’t for cost reasons and the results were still OK.
mh | 8 years ago
There is a way you can pave 70% of your yard without creating drainage issues: install your pavers over gravel/sand, and use polymeric sand to grout. This way, the surface is permeable. Otherwise, you would be creating a very large funnel to concentrate rainwater, and even with the right pitch, you could end up creating problems for your neighbors.
NeoGrec | 8 years ago
Would you consider making a part of your hardscaping an area of gravel? That’s what we have in the front center area of our yard. It’s an oval approx. 15 x 10 surrounded by bluestone pavers and planted beds. The beauty of it is that it acts like a giant dry well. Beneath the top layer of gravel is about 8 inches of sand.
dmcsr71 | 8 years ago
We have a patio that takes up just under 1/3 of our yard (20ft wide townhouse backyard) that we actually laid ourselves. We used a regular paver base – 6″ of stone chips, followed by sand and then the pavers and it seems to allow some water to drain between them. We also created a slight grade that drains excess water AWAY from the direction of the house – into our plant beds. We have had it for 3 years now with no issues. If you’re making a patio with a solid concrete base you might have problems with run-off as the water has no where else to go.. (Not to mention inevitable cracking). Some paver suppliers have permeable pavements systems that allow water to drain straight through for very large areas like driveways – Cambridge has one. You could also consider gaps for plant beds etc that look attractive as well as reducing the overall paver footprint.
brettlewis | 8 years ago
I had travertine tile installed in by back yard three Summers ago and did not install a drain. I hesitated because of the cost and by the time I had decided to do it, my contractor had already poured the concrete foundation. Making matters worse, the stonework was pitched in the direction of my house, and I had water pouring off of the roof into the yard. I had left dirt adjoining the foundation, so water just pooled up there and seeped into the cellar. I hired Anthony the Mason (347-307-4725) a few months ago to help stop the leaks. He installed additional bluestone next to the house and added some pitch. He also installed some French drains and did some other work. It is making a huge difference. Anthony was highly recommended on Brownstoner, which is why I hired him — I previously hired Anthony’s company for other masonry work and would highly recommend him if you have any questions about how to do this right before you get started.
joey5slice | 8 years ago
Hi,
I’ve just joined this forum. I’m agree with both Arkady & bored at work. Adding a French drain can be costly to some extent but this can provide you better results.
http://scottadesign.com
Thanks.
boredatwork | 8 years ago
You really need to do this right with proper pitch and accommodations for drainage. My neighbor paved over a significant portion of her yard with a contractor who did not know what he was doing. After the first huge summer thunderstorm, she had a flooded garden level and basement.
While not an expert, I would consider less than 70% coverage. That will reflect a significant amount of heat if exposed to the sun and force lots of water into your drain and sewer.
Arkady | 8 years ago
I think it’s a good idea to add a french drain – there are recommendations for contractors in the archives.