{"id":7414,"date":"2023-06-05T02:14:37","date_gmt":"2023-06-05T02:14:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/perfectoutdoorspaces.com\/?p=7414"},"modified":"2023-06-05T02:14:49","modified_gmt":"2023-06-05T02:14:49","slug":"should-patio-go-right-up-to-house-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whatblueprint.com\/should-patio-go-right-up-to-house-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Should Patio Go Right Up To House?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Planning to add a patio to your existing home can be a little daunting, but it is achievable with good plans and detailed preparation. The first things you will consider are the size of the patio, the possibility of a roof, and where the patio will be. Will you have it adjacent to your home, or should the patio go right up to the house?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can lay your patio right up to the house if you wish, but there are certain precautions to take. The patio will need to be below the current damp-proof course and slope away from the house to ensure water drains away from the building. The slope is vital to avoid flooding the house.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should You Take The Slab Right Up To The House?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The patio can be placed directly against your house walls, providing it is around 6 inches below the existing Damp-proof course. I recommend that the slabs slope away from the building, which will help minimize your drainage requirements.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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How Much Gradient Should Your Patio Have?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your patio should slope away from the building at the rate of 1\/8\u201d per running foot. A 4-inch thick slab poured 2 inches above ground level is usually adequate. To confirm that both height and slope are correct, begin the work where the patio meets the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019d suggest you ensure the slope is at least one inch for every eight feet of paving. Simply put, your patio should drop one yard for every eight yards of length. (1:8)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An effective drainage system will divert unsightly surface water from your patio and also minimize odors and mold caused by bacteria forming in regularly-standing water. This creates a \u2018fall,\u2019 which means the patio will slope and prevent water from collecting in corners and at the base of walls.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Much Slope Should Your Patio Roof Have?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Should you decide to add a roof that is either a permanent or a temporary structure, it will be aesthetically pleasing to keep the 1:8 slope ratio so that the floor and roof are parallel to one another. If you add to or subtract from the patio\u2019s slope ratio, the result may look clumsy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should My Patio Be Higher Than My Lawn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your patio should generally be higher than the surrounding lawn, which can be reached by stairs if required. If the height difference between the patio and lawn is too low for stairs, it can become a tripping hazard. This is a no man\u2019s land which you should avoid.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can A Patio Be Sloped Too Much?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Too little gradient on the patio, and rainwater will settle into the dips and corners, eventually washing out the sand and substrate beneath. A poorly sloped deck might result in water entering your basement. Too much slope and water on the surface will become a slipping hazard, so plan carefully when you choose a gradient.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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Do I Need Building Regulations For A Patio?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Different countries naturally have different rules regarding house alterations, but usually, a new patio area doesn\u2019t require building regulations approval. Ensure that any alterations don\u2019t make the access to the dwelling any less appealing than initially.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Britain, planning permission isn\u2019t required on domestic patios, provided said patio is not within 20 meters of a public road and is not higher than 30 cm<\/strong>, so your neighbors cannot be overlooked. Literally. The deck may cover no more than 50% of the total garden area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can You Lay The Patio On A Slope?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the slope, this is actually very desirable for water drainage, as discussed above. It is far easier to use your existing slope rather than create one from scratch, and it will save you some money too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Size Should My Patio Area Be?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The final size of your patio depends on the two most important variables in all of the building trade: Available space and budget. If you have the space and funds, you can extend the entire house-front out 20\u2019 or more. Conversely, a three-by-three-yard patio will house a breakfast table and chairs, <\/strong>and if you can overspill out onto the lawn, you will create a \u2018vanishing\u2019 effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Invest time in determining the size of your patio. This is crucial, as numerous homeowners end up with a too big or too small deck. Decide what you plan to add:<\/p>\n\n\n\n