How a Permeable Paver Patio Can Fix a Wet Yard

I recently met with a client who had a problem. Their backyard, in Muskego was very wet and the combination of wet soil in spring and frozen soil in the winter, had heaved their concrete patio into an unusable space for their growing family. The problem was not the soil, but the patio that was placed on it. The concrete slab was at the mercy of the soil it rested on. As the ground moved, so did the concrete patio. In order to solve this problem and create a useable outdoor space for our client, a creative solution was needed.

The solution we came up with was to install a Permeable Paver patio. Typically thought of as a street or parking lot paver (and to be fair, we have installed tens of thousands of square feet in parking lots) the concept never occurred to the owners that they could have a functional and beautiful patio that meets their entertaining needs, resists heaving and provides a solution to their typically wet backyard. 

The design we came up with called for the installation of an 18" open grade gravel base.  This type of gravel allows for open space in the gravel where water can be stored. The down spouts would then be routed into the gravel base to allow the rain water from the roof to be stored under the patio until it can dissipate into the soil. Doing this eliminates one of the main contributors to the wet backyard. Using a storm water management software program, we calculated the depth and type of gravel base to install. This would allow for the capture And storage of the rain water and runoff from the down spouts.

The paver that we chose is locally manufactured in Elkhorn, WI by Unilock. It is a decorative concrete paver with an earth tone brown color that allows the water to flow between the pavers and into the water storage base underneath the patio. The space between the pavers is filled with small gravel chips that allow water to pass through and lock the pavers in place. Another paver would be used as a decorative accent border offset from the edge to give the space a designer look.

After the patio is installed, we will re-grade the area around the patio and house to allow for proper drainage and install native moisture loving plants to finish off the space. Because the downspouts are run under the patio, the only water running into the yard is what falls as rain and the occasional sprinkler for the kids to run through.

Installing a Permeable Paver patio could be a solution if you have a wet yard or are looking to manage water runoff. For those who live on the shores of one of our beautiful lakes, installing a Permeable Paver patio, walkway or even a driveway, will allow you to maximize the size of your home without exceeding the mandated impervious surface cap by the county. Permeable Pavers can also be a way to capture rain water and reuse it for watering a garden or creating a decorative water feature. With the all of the options available, Permeable Pavers can be a functional and decorative addition to any outdoor space.