How to stop water pooling on side path?

[onlinejane]

Hi All, 

Got 2 issues i need help with on our side path which is rarely used.

• Water Pooling
• Algae

We've got water pooling in certain spots on our side yard and would like to find a DIY solution to fix this issue. The job was too small for some professionals to even bother and we dont want to damage it and re-do it. Also curious how this pooling affects the wall. We havent seen any leaks internally. but would want to fix this sooner rather than later.

In addition to this would like to also get rid of the green algae growing regularly.  We've used high pressure washer to remove but it only works for a short time and then it regrows. 

We are planning to install a hot water tank on this side of the house at the non-pooling end.

. 

[JacobZ]

Hi @onlinejane,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is wonderful to have you with us.

The only way I can think to deal with the water pooling issue is to install a drainage channel along the path and have it connected to your stormwater pipes by a registered plumber.

This is not something I'd typically call a D.I.Y. job, as it would involve cutting the concrete with a Demolition Saw. 

You could try drilling some holes through the low spots so the water can drain through the concrete. This would be more manageable as a D.I.Y. solution, but certainly not as effective as installing a drainage channel. If you wanted to try this, you would need a rotary hammer drill with a long masonry bit capable of drilling through the full thickness of the slab.

Allow me to tag @AlanM52, @Noyade and @Nailbag to see if they have any ideas.

Stopping the pooling water is the best way to stop the algae. When it appears, you can use this 30 Seconds Spray And Walk Away to kill the algae. Unfortunately, if the drainage issue is still present, it is likely that the algae will return.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

[onlinejane]

Hi Jacob, 

Thank you. Appreciate the suggestion. 

Would a self-leveling/patching compound work as a temporary solution? i know its not going to look the best, but i suspect this would at least fill the small spots depressions in the floor thus preventing water from pooling. 

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/t5/Outdoor/How-to-fix-an-uneven-concrete-patch/td-p/244304 

We will need to hire to potentially resurface it or add channels.  We could use this as an opportunity to fix both paths as the other side doesnt look particularly nice either.

[JacobZ]

Hi @onlinejane,

There are floor levellers that could be used outdoors, such as those mentioned by @EricL in that post, but they are not designed to be a finished floor surface.

You could certainly use them, but without a covering such as tiles or pavers, it would not stand up to use particularly well.

Would you consider applying floor leveller followed by pavers or tiles?

This would certainly help with the pooling issue.

Jacob

[AlanM52]

Hi onlinejane (or just Jane),

Short answer - remove concrete along fence and install spoon drain similar to this:

Come back if you want to discuss some more...

Cheers

[Nailbag]

Hi @onlinejane 

the good news is that the water is centrally pooling in the pathway, which will make for an easy solution. This would be to install a grate drain central to the deepest point of the water pooling. This fortunately appears to be inline with a downpipes. So, it could easily be connected to this. 

As @JacobZ mentioned, it's not really a novice DIY project as it will require the concrete path to be cut and the drainage installed by a licensed plumber and then backfilled with concrete. Its about a days work, and not a cheap exercise but will be an effective and best permanent solution.

Nailbag

[onlinejane]

Legends!

Thank you all. This was quite helpful. I had a few tradies come over and each had a different view on how to fix this. 

But when I suggested about installing a grate drain (per the suggestions in this forum), a couple of tradies agreed would be simipler and easier fix.

[JacobZ]

Hi @onlinejane,

I'm glad to hear the professionals thought the advice was solid and would be a good fix.

I hope it solves the problem for you without too much hassle.

Jacob