How to prevent water pooling?

[dio612]

What can I do to prevent water pooling at this outdoor area whenever it rains?

[MitchellMc]

Hi @dio612,

Water pooling between a tiled area and the lawn is usually caused by poor drainage, and the most effective solution is to install a surface strip channel drain. A system like the Everhard EasyDRAIN is ideal, as it can be laid along the tiled edge where water collects and then directed into the stormwater system. To install it, you would first dig a trench the length of the tiles, making sure there is a slight fall so the water can flow away naturally. The channel should sit flush with both the tiles and lawn, supported on a compacted sand or mortar base for stability. At the lowest point, an outlet can be connected to an agline, which should then run to your existing stormwater line. 

Once the drain is in place, backfill around it so it’s neat and secure, blending with both the tiled surface and grass. While sometimes reshaping the lawn to create more slope can reduce minor pooling, a strip drain is the most reliable way to prevent water from collecting at the threshold. It’s also worth checking local regulations, as a licensed plumber is required to make stormwater connections.

Here's a helpful guide: How to fix a muddy lawn.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[dio612]

If I was to find someone to do this, who should I look for?

[JacobZ]

Hi @dio612,

Your best bet would be a drainage plumber as they will regularly do this type of work and will be licenced to connect up to your stormwater system if required.

You can use a service such as HiPages or True Local to find plumbers that are local to you.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

[AlanM52]

CC: @dio612,

Wondering if that is a drainage issue?

I think the ground is higher than the pavers and maybe even sloping towards them.

I suggest digging a narrow shallow trench and see if the water follows you.

You could simply use a garden trowel to do that.

If the water starts to drain away come back to discuss some more...

Cheers

[dio612]

Hi Alan,

Could you clarity where to dig the narrow shallow trench and if the water following? Many thanks

[EricL]

Hello @dio612 

Let me tag @AlanM52 to make them aware of your question. I suspect Alan is suggesting digging near the garden edge where the hedge plants are located. But let's wait for Alan to confirm.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[AlanM52]

CC: @dio612,

Rather that calling it a trench start scooping out a channel (only a short distance) with a garden trowel away from one of the pavers to see if the water starts flowing/draining into the channel. I suspect it will and if that's the case I propose:

Remove a layer of soil so the ground is sloping away from the pavers - to the right.

And/Or

Install a Everhard drain along the edge of the pavers.

Cheers

[Remarka6le]

Hey @dio612, 

Looking at your photos, it seems the water is collecting because the lawn is sitting slightly higher than the tiled area, which means everything is sloping back towards the pavers instead of away. That’s why you’re always seeing that shallow pool sitting against the edge.

If it were me, I’d approach it in two steps. The quick option is to regrade that strip of lawn so it gently slopes away from the tiles. Even lowering it by 20–30mm can make a big difference. You can test this with a garden trowel or shallow trench, as Alan mentioned, if the water follows your little channel, you’ll know reshaping will help.

For a more permanent fix, I’d install a slim channel drain along the paver edge. That way, instead of water fighting its way back onto the tiles, it gets captured straight away and piped into stormwater. It does mean digging a proper trench and connecting into your stormwater system, which in most cases will need a licensed plumber. But once it’s in, you won’t have to think about it again, and the tiles will stay dry no matter how heavy the rain.

If you like the idea of a DIY middle-ground, you could also run an agline (perforated drainage pipe) under that garden bed, wrapped in drainage sock and gravel. It won’t be as neat as a strip drain but it can help move water away from the surface and into the soil more effectively.