When building a terrace, many neglect to consider the importance of drainage in their terrace design, especially for a terrace patio. Terraced gardens normally have natural drainage through the terrace design of its walls. However, since a patio space is a flat area of land, it’s important to make sure that water from the rain or the sprinklers does not pool in the middle of the terrace surface. Sitting water on a terrace design can cause mold, mildew and a breakdown of the terrace surface over time.

Planning a Terrace Drainage System

When you are building a terrace you need to consider how drainage will work into your terrace design. Since terraces add a layer of solid material between the sky and the ground, water doesn’t easily seep into the soil as it would normally. The first key is to observe where water naturally collects in your backyard. Take note of the area that will house the terrace and determine where the water collects. This will help you decide how much water you will be dealing with during a rainstorm.

Terrace Drainage Options

Your two main options are to use a terrace drain tile or underground system. A terrace drain tile looks like a grate and is placed in the center of the terrace in order to collect and move water away from the surface of the terrace design. If this is going to be your option, you’ll need to make sure that the terrace slopes slightly toward the drain, so that the water will head in that direction, similar to the floor of a shower.

An underground system in your terrace design will incorporate a few small drains throughout the patio. It will also feature a channel that will route the water from those drains away from the terrace surface. These require a bit more planning to execute precisely. You may need to get some assistance from a professional plumber. Unlike a terrace drain tile, which can be installed after the fact, an underground system needs to be planned before building a terrace.

Fixing Terrace Drainage Problems

Despite your best efforts, you may find that your terrace drainage plan does not work as precisely as you’d like it to. If you find that this is the case, you’ll need to create a terrace drain solution based on the problems that you are having. Try to determine if it’s the slope of the terrace design, or the drains themselves that are causing the problem. By narrowing it down, you can get closer to solving the problem and keeping water off of your terrace.