You finish the deck and it looks great – until it rains.
Nothing more frustrating than getting a really good deck project finished only to have the rain…well,rain on your parade.
Follow these tips to avoid drainage issues.
Water Direction
Directing the water to one location in large amounts will simply lead to overflow and erosion issues. Water will tend to accumulate and pool as well, so you need to ensure even flow across the area – use a slight, downward gradient and multiple channels for the water to be directed away from the area or into your drains. If you are feeling green, direct the water to your lawn and flower bed areas to supplement their watering or even by collecting it for later use.
Use Round or V-shape Channels
Don’t use square-shaped channels as these tend to become blocked by leaves and debris more easily. Using a rounded or v-shaped channel will minimize this and the debris is more likely to be transported away from the area with the run-off. These channel shapes also promote an even flow of water from the area which helps avoid water accumulation or pooling.
Use the Right Drainage System
Some drainage systems will not handle the volume of rain water you experience. Make sure the drainage system you use is going to be capable of handling the level of water you are likely to experience.
Drainage Life Expectancy
Thick PVC or plastic piping is likely to provide the longest life expectancy for the decking drainage – using metal pipes is only likely to lead to corrosion and deterioration in the system. There is another issue with using metal drainage systems in that the water tends to become poisoned due to corrosion and this in turn is bad for plants, animals and potentially even for your family.
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