DIY Network

Stone Patio, Walkway and Stepping Stones From "Rock Solid" episode DROC-203

(Continued from page 1)

Figure F

The Drainage Issue

Dean and Derek discover that they have a drainage problem at their proposed patio site. A downspout comes off of the roof and empties right onto the patio location. To fix this problem, they need to come up with an alternative place for the water to run.

• Dean and Derek decide to run the water from the downspout under the patio and away from the house with PVC pipe (figure F).
  

  advertisement

  
  
  

  	Figure G
  	Figure H

• They lay out the pipe so that it runs away from the house and the patio. Make sure you have enough pipe to extend beyond the patio and then mark a line for digging. Dig a trench along the line an additional six to eight inches deep (figure G). Connect the PVC pipe to the downspout using an elbow and adaptor and lay the pipe in the trench (figure H).

• Lay the pipe so it pitches downward and away from the house. A quarte-of-a-bubble pitch on your six foot level should do it. Gravity will take care of the rest.

• Once you’ve established the pitch on the PVC pipe, bury the pipe by spreading dirt and crusher run around the exposed pipe. Tamp the area along the pipe to prevent it from caving in later.
  

  Figure I

• With the drainage issue addressed, finish prepping the base for the patio area. Compact the exposed dirt with the plate compactor (figure I). Spraying the surface down with water as you compact ensures maximum compaction and prevents dust from coming up. Compact until the patio area is level and doesn’t give when stepped on.

• Next add crusher run--also called gravel pack--in two-inch layers. Compact the first layer, add a second, and compact that until you have a firm three-inch thick crusher run footing for drainage.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5