I am a newbie but I have read the book and the majority of the website. However, I would still like your advice as I find myself a little tempted to just set out for a level patio. I find that if I measure a line from 150mm below DPC it ends up exactly in line with my lawn. This means that the existing patio that I have just finished digging up must have been laid level. If I put in a 1 in 50 fall (for Indian sandstone flags) away from the house I end up ~8cm below the lawn. If I set up a transverse fall I end up a similar depth below a concrete driveway. If I can't lower the lawn and I can't lay above the DPC I guess I have to either lay level or work out some elaborate drainage. That's the point at which I have become stuck. I'd be extremely grateful for some pointers if you have any.
this is a common occurrence ,in this instance i would put a lineal drain next to the house but use one of the workaround methods as detailed here about half way down
cheers LLL
Thanks guys, I'm impressed to already have some suggestions by the time I get up the next morning!
LLL - If I were to install the linear drain along the house wall, this means I can come up closer to the DPC. Do I still maintain the fall away from the house?
Mikey - Aesthetically I quite like the idea of a step to the lawn but presumably I would need to do something to avoid water collecting at the base of the step. Linear drain routed to some outlet?
in luton if we do disabled ramps the threshold must be flush,so we install a linear drain at DPC height then fall the ramp away
if you install your lineal drain 100mm down from dpc would 50mm be enough fall to the grass?
I am sure this would be ok although not perfect it is a real world solution
and really you want the slabs flush with the grass or 20 mm higher
cheers LLL
LLL - This is starting to sound like the most realistic option. 50mm over the length of the patio only gives me a 1:90 slope which is a bit flat. Is it better to compromise on the fall rather than go less than 100mm from the DPC?
I'll also have to incorporate a fall at one side to meet the driveway at the gate. I don't think this is too much of a problem though.
1:90 is too flat
you should be aiming for 1:40/ 1:60
you may have to do the work around
either that or have the lineal drain right across the centre of the patio and fall both sides into it
I have the exact same problem at home with my drive
2 course below dpc is exactly level with the pavement 7 m away
so far we make do with shingle
LLL
