What Kind of Patio Is Good for Wet Ground?
Wet ground and construction don't mix well; water in the ground damages paving over time. Site preparation can amend wet ground in part, but choosing material for the patio that can handle occasional movement in the soil is important. Patios constructed with pavers don't fall apart when the earth moves, and they're simple to repair when necessary. They also integrate well with a site that has drainage issues. Does this Spark an idea?
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Wet Ground and Patios
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Freeze-thaw action in wet ground causes soil movement from expansion and contraction of the water in the soil. These forces cause materials to shift, resulting in cracks, settling and lifting. Wet ground may be remedied in part during site preparation, choosing material for paving that's appropriate for wet ground conditions is important. Materials that are unsuitable for the conditions mean extra expense, maintenance and even replacement. A variety of paving options are available for patio construction.
Site Preparation
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Patios and walkways carry less weight than a driveway, but special care should be taken with wet ground. The site preparation for any building material for a patio is the same. Good drainage is essential for construction; water should flow away from the structure. A sub-surface drainage system, such as perforated pipe, is advisable..Geotextile fabric will keep imported material separate from the wet ground. The sub-base for the patio should be suitable gravel at the depth recommended for local conditions and compacted to prevent settling.
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Unit Pavers
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An advantage of small unit pavers is that they are simple to repair and replace if shifting ground displaces or damages them. Interlocking brick is held in place with sand swept in the joints, allowing water to infiltrate. Concrete pavers are installed the same way, and flagstones have similar advantages. All the paver types allow expansion and contraction of the ground without the hazard of cracking that can damage solid construction, and wet conditions won't destroy them.
Porous Patios
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In areas near water bodies or where the water table is high, minimizing impervious surfaces such as concrete and asphalt lessens storm water runoff that can potentially harm water quality and overload municipal infrastructure. Construction materials that encourage infiltration of water back into the soil are sometimes specified as part of the storm water management system for a development. Pavers are a porous system that won't compromise the strength or durability of the patio and will be a sustainable solution.
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