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How To Build A Patio On A Slope



We Chose To Use Stone Patio Pavers As These Would Be Much Easier To Lay Than Pouring Concrete

I have always enjoyed landscaping work. This will be the base for your patio pavers. Starting in a corner, place the first paver stone. Allow for about 1� of slope away from the house for every 8. Dig diy paver patio base. It’s finally dry enough to move around some dirt and make a welcoming paver patio outside our new entry!

The rule of thumb is to dig to the thickness of the paver, plus another six inches for a solid base. Laying a paver patio can make a great diy project, but it’s important to be sure the ground under it is prepared properly first. Allow for about 1� of slope away from the house for every 8. We are diy enthusiasts, not professionals remember! Starting in a corner, place the first paver stone.


That will make the whole job go smoothly. By jessica bennett updated april 20, 2020 each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. Paver patio slope diy pavers building a on design ideas unyouthdelegates org zao44wwow3 sloped backyard block question doityourself com community forums stones yard pictures remodel and decor page 2 pics lawnsite lawn care landscaping professionals forum how to build suggestions google search pool tips installation geek. You’ll want a slight slope for drainage. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.



Want The Look And Feel Of Natural Stone Without The Maintenance

An Allan Block raised patio may be just what your project needs. You can incorporate curves , corners or even stairs into your patio design. Building a raised patio is easy and can add more usable living space and lasting value to your landscape.

Place the blocks on the base material near the front of the trench

Fill the hollow cores and 12 in. behind the block with wall rock up to the height of the block


Use a compactable rock or sand behind the entire wall. This provides a fill that is less likely to settle over time

Allan Block’s raised front lip provides a perfect edge for AB capstones, or pavers

Choose a flooring option like concrete, pavers, brick or natural stones to fit the design and style of your landscape

Once you have determined the location and design of your raised patio, stake out the location and use a string line or paint to mark out the area. A garden hose is an excellent tool for marking out curves. Then excavate the area by removing all the surface vegetation and organic materials from the area. These cannot be used as backfill material.

  • Starting at the lowest point dig a base trench 24 in. wide by 6 in. deep plus 1 in deep for each 1 ft. of wall height.
  • Compact the base trench as well as the entire patio base area, making a minimum of 2 passes with a walk behind plate compactor. Compaction of these areas are very important as they make up the foundation of both your wall and raised patio.

Excerpt from Landscape Newsletter Issue #19


How To Build A Patio On A Hill To Make Your Neighbors Jealous

One couple had an unusable sloped backyard that was a pain in the rear to mow and maintain so they finally decided to do something about it to make their lives just a little more convenient. They had big plans but never expected it to turn out as nice as it is now. With a little creativity, some research, and a little muscle they created an epic 800 square foot living space just off the backdoor of the barn. Take a look at this incredible transformation.

When And How Much Should You Slope A Deck Decks By E3


Timber Tech Composite decking is one of them. “To aid water run-off, the deck should slope 1/2″ for every 8′ away from the house.â€?. Timber Tech Installation Guide. Roughly 1/16″ per foot, a TimberTech deck should be sloped. A standard 12′ deck dropping ¾â€? from the house to the edge of the deck.

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How To Begin Installing Paver Patio On Uneven Surface

Building a Deck on Sloped GroundLearning Center

Mark the ground for the paving area that will be managed. Paving stones can be laid into place using the right techniques. Dig the trench and put the paving stones down for a walkway. Line the trench with a garden hose to delineate what area needs to be improved. Always mark the location of the digging pattern to avoid mistakes. People don’t want to dig into the lines while they are moving along. Planning will avoid those kinds of errors along the way. A team can work more effectively with proper planning as well.

With the trench dug in to place, move on to the next phase. Make sure that the trench is roughly 8 to 10 inches deep when dug. That provides ample room to set the paving stones into place. Remember to level out the bottom soil in the trench itself. That will prevent the paving patio from looking uneven in time. Pour a thin layer of gravel at the bottom of the trench. That will start a foundation for the paving stones at a later point. Afterward, add some coarse sand to be poured over the gravel of the foundation. That will add a little stability to the mix in good time as well.


Step 4: Find Stone At A Landscape Or Masonry Supplier

A landscape or masonry supplier will carry the best selection of stone. For our wall, we selected blue ledge stone. Although technically categorized as a 4-in. veneer stone, it has a random shape that’s ideal for our “rubble-style” wall.

This stone is sold by the ton, and the supplier will tell you how much wall surface 1 ton covers. Calculate the number of square feet of wall surface and add about 20 percent for waste. This project required 5 tons.

For best results, buy bags of mortar from a local masonry supplier. Figure on a bag for every 3 sq. ft. of wall. Also order 4 x 8 x 16-in. solid concrete blocks to fill in wall areas that the patio will cover .

The wall cap is 3-in. thick Indiana limestone that we had custom-cut at a stone shop to fit the radius of our wall with a 1-in. overhang on each side. The capstone for the two walls was expensive , but it made smooth, attractive seating. You can make your own from flagstone, or form and pour concrete capstones for much less. Just keep in mind that a cap at least 3 in. thick looks best.

Buy your 1/2-in. steel reinforcement and form building materials for the wall footings at a home center.

Order a “compactible” gravel, called Class 5 limestone in this region, for the 6-in. thick patio base. Calculate the volume you need and order it along with enough sand to cover the base an inch deep. We selected granite sand because its color is similar to the bluestone color and makes the joints less noticeable.

Patio Roof Cover Sheds Water Allows Natural Light

 ·For proper water drainage, the manufacturer recommends a slope that’s at least 1 inch per foot; ideally, it should slope 2 or 3 inches per foot. Even better, our structure slopes 3.5 inches per foot. The sloping polycarbonate panels shed water onto the house roof where the existing gutters carry it …

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How Much Should A Patio Slope Away From A House

As we have already established, the ratio for the proper amount of slope on your patio is a 2 percent or a ¼ inch per foot of patio length. A steeper slope is allowed, but don’t create a patio with a slope less than this ratio or your patio will collect water.

To calculate the right amount of slope for your patio, you must first measure the length of the patio from the side of your house that the patio meets to the furthest point that the patio area extends. Using the measurement, the next step is to calculate the elevation difference between each end of the patio and that be can determined by multiplying the length by 0.25 . The result is the number in inches of the elevation difference between each end the patio for the best water run-off.

How Much Did It Cost To Build Our Raised Patio

Our large raised patio, which is circular in shape, turned out to be about 250 square feet. It has a partial retaining wall on both sides, as well as two pillars.

In the end, we spent about $1,200 on materials for the blocks, concrete, and the stone veneer.

We live in southern California so pricing may be different where you live, but here’s a chart below that Matt put together to give you an idea on material costs .

Looking for how to calculate the cost of your own raised patio project? This should help!

So glad I married an engineer who enjoys pulling together all these numbers!

Next, we’re sharing our 10 favorite tricks for edging a raised patio! Or, take the full tour of our backyard!

To see our home, click HERE!

How To Install A Paver Patio On Uneven Grounds

Frances Mior

Homeowners enjoy the great look that patio paving provides for their lawn. It creates a narrow path, and people want to see what the result may be. But uneven ground can derail the paving effort right from the start. Use a few simple tactics to lay down the patio paving stones on that uneven ground. That will explain how patio paving can take place on the lawn as well. The patio paving stones can then be laid in to place without any hassle. Uneven ground can be managed in a short amount of time. There are unique advantages people will want to consider.

Step 8: Add And Compact The Class Ii Road Base

For a walkway, about four inches of class II road base will provide enough of a foundation for your paving stones. Pour the first two inches of road base throughout your walkway, and then use your tamper to compact it as much as possible. Add another two inches of road base on top of that, use the garden hose to wet the area, and use the tamp to compact it. Continue this process of wetting and compacting until you have compacted the base as much as possible.

Help How To Build Concrete Deck On Steep Slope

Our backyard ends with an 80 ft upslope at 25 degree. The view up at the top is very nice. We’d like to take advantage of this vista by building a 12’x 15′ concrete platform. The slope is created by the developer. The soil does not seem firm. We have no idea how we can do this. An landscaper said th…

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How Much Should A Patio Slope Away From House

Backyard Landscaping Ideas

Are you building a patio and don’t want water to pool on it or back up against your house? Worried it will seep down against the foundation and into the house? The correct patio slope will help keep water from sitting on it or backing against your house.

Patios within 10 feet of a foundation must have a 1/4” per foot or 2% fall away from the building. The 2% fall or slope is required for hardscape surfaces such as pavers, wood, concrete, gravel, or other materials. The slope will move water off the surface and away from the foundation.

In this article, we’ll take a look at how sloping a patio helps with drainage, how much the fall should be, and code requirements. We’ll explain how to calculate the slope, and how to fix the grade of an existing patio. By the end of the article, you’ll have a better understanding of how much slope is needed, and how to fix an existing surface.

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  • Part 2 Of 3:excavating And Leveling Your Yard

  • 1Contact your local utility company at least 2 days prior to digging. To ensure you don’t hit a buried utility line, get in touch with your local utility company. Call them at least 2 days before starting your project and ask them to locate and mark buried lines on your property. This service is free and can prevent accidents and power outages.
  • In the U.S., call the digline at “811.” They’ll talk you through the steps you need to take to dig safely and even contact the correct utility company to mark buried lines on your property.
  • If past residents have have made adjustments or additions to the utilities, you may need to contact a landscaping or excavating service to help you find each point of service.
  • 2Dig out the patio area to a depth of 6 in . This will leave just the right amount of space for both the paver stones and the underlying substrate. You can take care of most of the removal using a single shovel. A hand trowel will also be useful for keeping the edges of the site clean and precise.XResearch source
  • You can use a tiller to break up the soil first and make it easier to hand shovel the required depth and remove by wheel barrow. Large areas may require a skid steer or mini-excavator or tractor with a backhoe and front bucket attachment.
  • When it’s complete, your paver patio should sit at or slightly above ground level.XResearch source
  • Ensure the slope angles away from the patio and add drainage if necessary.
  • Preparations For Building A Patio On A Slope

    Building a patio is an easy home improvement project. Building one on a slope is made possible by building a level base. It may seem like a daunting task, however, it can be done in just a few simple steps. Here are the steps you will need to follow in order to level the area.

    Step 1 – Preparing for the Construction

    Before you begin, be sure to check the weather forecast. You will a need a couple of days of good weather to prepare the area for the patio installation, this is more crucial if you use mortar in the retaining wall installation process. Also, be sure you have all of the necessary tools before you begin. This project will go much faster if you have everything you need before you begin and do not have to stop working to locate needed equipment.

    Decide where you would like to install the patio. You will also need to take into consideration the width and length of the patio. Use a chalk line to mark off the boundaries of the patio.

    Step 2 – Excavating the Area

    Use a spade and shovel to excavate six inches into the soil. Begin digging out the soil at the lowest part of the slope. You will need to dig more soil from the highest part of the slope so that the entire area will be level. Use a level to ensure that the area is flat and even.

    Step 3 – Building a Retaining Wall

    Step 4 – Laying the Sand

    Genius Hacks: 3 Ways To Build A Raised Patio

    We’re sharing all the tips, tricks & details of building a raised patio with retaining wall—along with our raised stone patio design and cost!

    Do you have a sloped area in your yard that seems unusable? Or perhaps you want to avoid a deck off the back of your house and have started envisioning your own way of building a raised patio with retaining walls?

    Whatever your need, you’re in the right place, my friend!

    We’re big believers in the power of a raised patio! Sure, a deck could be built to try to utilize a sloped area, but we’ll take a good raised patio on a slope over a deck any day.

    Would you like to take a slope where no one could previously sit , and turn that slope into seating for 10, 15, 20…or more?

    Then read on!

    The Character Of The Stone Makes This Patio

    Stone Options:

    Stone varies greatly in color and texture. Visit a number of stone suppliers to see what’s available in your area and to check prices. We chose 3- or 4-in. thick stone intended for building walls, but any relatively flat stone that’s 2 to 4 in. thick will work. Because stone is sold by the ton , a thinner stone like flagstone would have been more economical, but it wasn’t available in the tumbled finish we wanted. If you use thinner stone, don’t tamp it with the compactor. It will crack. The stone dealer will tell you approximately how many square feet a ton of each type of stone covers. Order at least 15 percent extra to allow more selection when you’re looking for just the right shape.

    Clay Pavers:

    Concrete pavers are the most economical choice for paving patios. They are available in many sizes and colors. Traditional clay pavers have truer brick color and cost a bit more. Concrete pavers are available at home centers and landscape retailers, but you’ll probably have to find a brickyard to buy clay pavers. You’ll need about 4-1/2 bricks for every square foot, assuming an average sized 4 x 8-in. brick. It’s difficult to figure the exact amount of brick needed for an irregularly shaped patio like this, so order about 15 percent extra.

    Step 4: Preparing The Area For Installation

    Once you have gathered your tools and materials, it is time to get to work. The first step in preparing the ground to install pavers on a slope is to remove any hardscapes or landscaping that are in the area that will soon be your walkway. This is also a chance to diminish the slope as much as possible by evening out the ground wherever possible. Always call 811 before digging to avoid hitting utility lines.

    Fixing A Paver Patio With An Improper Slope

    It is more likely that your patio could have an improper slope if it has a problem with standing water. There are several ways you can fix this problem but the best way to make it appealing and long lasting is to bring down the existing setup and start over. The decision to fix or build a new patio comes down to how ‘flat’ the current patio is. One of the ways you can correct this issue is by adding a drain close to where stagnant water is collecting. Mark this location and then dig up the pavement using a jackhammer. After removing the concrete, you need to dig a trench that can hold at least a two-inch layer of sand as well as the drain channel. Lay the drain and then cover it with a gate.

    However, this fix only works well for those who have a concrete pad for their patio. You can have a difficult time if your patio is made of pavers or stamped concrete. The best way to fix a paver patio is to start over since you will take all the necessary precautions to ensure it is sloped correctly. You need to remove any soft soil, vegetation, or rocks before you begin. Consider installing a French drain at the edge or run a pipe under the patio to ensure proper drainage. You can only lay your patio when the ground is uniform in both materials and levels.

    Snap A Base Line And 2 Perpendicular Lines

    Snapping chalk lines directly in the sand is the best way to keep your bricks running straight. For the running bond pattern, you’ll only need a baseline and two lines perpendicular to the baseline, offset by half the width of a brick. Mark the rough center and snap a line at right angles using this method:

  • Measure out an equal distance from the center and make two more marks .
  • Cross two tapes at the same measurement .
  • Snap a chalk line from point “D” through point “A.”
  • Then snap a second line half the width of a brick from the first line.
  • Optional Step 11: Install Extra Bond Beams

    block patio slope question

    Concrete bond beams are typically installed on the outer perimeter where the pavers abut up against any soft-scape surfaces such as grass, gravel, dirt, etc. and its purpose is to inhibit the pavers from moving laterally. For added assurance, you can include/insert a concrete bond beam every 10-15 feet. What this does is add another layer of support and essentially locks down and/or contains the pavers within each 10-15 foot span which disperses the pressure/load.

    How To Measure The Slope For A Paver Patio

    To measure the slope of your paver patio, you need a stake, a hammer, a string, and a line level. First, insert one stake at the top of the patio and another at the bottom where water will drain from the patio. Pound each stake with a hammer so that they are good and stable. Tie a string tightly around each stake and then slip a line level on the string. Adjust the string by moving it up and down as needed so it can be level between the stakes. Once everything is in place, determine the required amount of slope based on the size of your paver patio.

    Keep in mind that the slope should be at least 1 inch for every 8 feet of the paver patio. For instance, a 16-foot patio will require 2 inches of the slope while a 12-foot patio will require 1 1/2 inches of the slope. You need to measure the calculated slope from the string tied at the drainage end of the patio. Use a pencil to mark this location and then move down the string to the mark you have made on the stake.

    How To Slope A Concrete Patio For Drainage

    When planning a concrete patio construction project, one of the most important things to keep in mind is that your patio will inevitably have water buildup during periods of rainy and snowy weather. If that water stays on your patio surface it will cause damage to the structure of the concrete itself and may form a breeding ground for mosquitoes and mold. Thus, it is crucial that you plan on providing a method for the concrete patio to drain the excess water that collects on top.

    Ideally, this water should drain off of the patio and away from the foundation of your home, where it can help to water your grass or the plants in your garden. Sloping your patio properly will ensure that the concrete surface has the proper drainage capability.

    Gather Your Materials

    The materials that you’ll need for this project depend somewhat on your patio and the state you reside in. If you haven’t yet built a patio and are considering how to account for drainage in your construction plans, you may not need all of them. However, if you’ve already built a patio but have not allowed for proper drainage, and your existing patio does not drain adequately, make sure you purchase everything listed in the materials section.

    Calculate the Ideal Slope

    Mix and Lay Concrete

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    Our New Raised Patio With Retaining Wall:

    I’ve never shared this before but do you want to know the #1 thing I would do differently in this raised stone patio now? Because it’s on a slope that continues even “behind” the patio, I would have done another stone retaining wall along the back edge to keep the dirt and other debris from falling onto the concrete patio surface.

    How To Compact Gravel For Your Patio Base

    Use a plate compactor to compact the gravel, creating a firm and long-lasting base for the patio.

    Lay the Base

    Watch video of this step.

    Once the patio layout is done, you’re ready to excavate the area. Dig deep enough to allow for the base material under the pavers.

    Pavers vary in thickness. The rule of thumb is to dig to the thickness of the paver, plus another six inches for a solid base.

    Our pavers are 2-1/2″ thick and we want them to be level with the ground. We need six inches of base material plus 2-1/2″ for the paver height, so we are digging 8-½” deep.

    It’s a good idea to create a slight slope away from the house to encourage water runoff — a 3″ slope over a 12′ patio should be fine.

    Now it’s time to add the base material. First, fill the excavation with compactable gravel, to a depth of five inches, tamping it down as you go. Rake the top surface smooth and level with a steel rake . To check for high and low points and to make sure your area is level, place a long, straight 2×4 on edge across the area then place three-foot level on the 2×4, adjust the gravel as necessary .Use a plate compactor to compact the gravel, which will create a firm and long-lasting base for the patio . You can rent a plate compactor for as little as $50 a day. For best results work the compactor in a circular motion and go over all areas at least twice.

    Step 1: Overview Of Flagstone Patio Ideas

    You can’t beat stone as a building material for a backyard terrace. It blends well with any back yard and garden, it’s always in style and it will last almost maintenance free for generations. We built the walls in this project from blue ledge stone and the flagstone patio from cut and squared bluestone.

    Stonework is a big job, so we kept our flagstone patio at a smaller, intimate size, about 300 sq. ft. This size is perfect for a small dining table, a few chairs and a barbecue—all in all, a nice space for a family of four and for occasional entertaining.

    The modest size means you can complete this flagstone patio installation on weekends and in evenings without heavy professional equipment. We added the low, curved stone wall to enclose one end of the flagstone patio and provide plenty of informal seating. That’s the perfect place to position an outdoor fireplace to chase the chill on cool spring and summer evenings.

    In this article, we’ll show you how to build handsome, durable stone walls and lay smooth, close-fitting flagstone. If you enjoy building challenges and don’t mind heavy work, this project’s for you. But give yourself plenty of time. Figure on about 14 full days to complete it, or about a solid month of evenings and weekends. It’s an advanced project because it requires meticulous work and patience to choose the stones and fit them together.

    Photo 23: Add Paver Edging At The Borders

    Scrape away the sand along the edge of the flagstone patio with a trowel. Support the edge with paver edging, driving a 10-in. spike to anchor it about every foot. Then sweep granite sand into the patio joints to fill them.

    For a professional-looking flagstone patio:

    • Keep your joint lines straight. The chalk lines snapped on the sand will guide you. If joints begin to wander, snap more lines.
    • Stagger joints and limit continuous joints to 4 ft. . Before you set a stone, think about how you’ll set the next two around it. Scratch the size of the stone in the sand before you set it, to see how it’ll work.
    • Keep your joints consistent. We fit our stones tightly, only about 1/8 to 3/16 in. apart. But it meant we had to cut a lot of stones to fit. Use slightly wider joints, 3/8 to 1/2 in., for less cutting.
    • Mix large and small stones. Set a large stone and work off it with smaller ones. Spread large stones throughout the flagstone patio. Resist the temptation to use all the large stones first.

    Photos 21 and 22 show how to mark and cut a stone. Don’t try to make a curved cut where the flagstone patio stones meet the curved wall. Instead, make multiple angled cuts to roughly follow the curve.

    Paver edging around the perimeter holds the stone and sand in place . Cover the edging with topsoil and grass or a flower bed to conceal it.

    Gorgeous Deck And Patio Ideas You Can Diy

     ·Build a vine-covered pergola in your backyard to shade a stone patio or wood deck using wood beams and lattice set on precast, classical-style columns. The dappled sunlight created by the overhead latticework creates a cool, relaxing environment perfect for backyard entertaining—like standing in the shade of a tree on a hot summer day.

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    Step 9: Add And Screed Your Bedding Sand

    10 Genius Ways How to Upgrade Sloped Backyard Ideas ...

    It is essential that you use bedding sand for this step and not some other type of sand. Bedding sand is made up of sharply angled grains that make it more efficient at locking in your pavers. Set up your screeding guides, pour your bedding sand over the installation area, use the rake to level it, and use a 2×4 to screed the sand evenly at a one-inch depth.

    Sloped Gardens: How Are Patios Possible

    Most patios have the appearance of being flat, but they’re actually sloped slightly. The standard for building a patio is to create a 15mm slope for every one and a half metres of patio space.

    This slope is essential for patio drainage when the surface of the patio is not permeable. Water can then successfully run down the slope and drain away, instead of settling in the middle of the patio. 

    Of course, while this is technically a slope, it’s probably not the extent of slope that you’re concerned about in your garden. For extreme slopes, there are two main options to create a patio:

    Step 3: Gather Your Tools And Materials

    The materials you need include your pavers, class II road base, bedding sand, joint sand, concrete, and sealer. You will also need one-inch PVC pipes to use as screeding guides and a 2×4 to use as a screed. We also strongly recommend using geotextile fabric. While this is not an absolute must for installing paver patios, driveways, or walkways, it protects your foundation from the soil and helps secure the longevity of your paving stone project.

    You likely already have most of the tools you will need on hand. You may need to rent or buy a tamper or a concrete blade for your circular saw, but most of what you need you probably have in your shed or garage.

    Here are the tools you will need:

    • Tape measure
    • Protective gear



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