Fixing a Brick Patio That Holds Water and Grows Grass

A brick patio collects standing water after rain, and grass grows between the pavers. The homeowner wants to remove bricks, install drainage, and reinstall them.

Diagnosis: Grading, Not Drainage

The issue is almost certainly improper slope. Water should sheet off the patio surface, not pool. Stagnant water encourages weed growth in joint sand. Before installing subsurface drains, have a builder or hardscape professional evaluate the patio's pitch. Often, re-setting the bricks with proper fall (¼ inch per foot minimum) solves both problems without added drainage infrastructure.

— Jonathan, Ecologica Gardens