Patio Flooding from Heavy Rain: Divert, Don't Try to Absorb

The Problem

Screened patio floods during downpours because yard slopes toward house. Sump holes (rock/sand/dirt) worked briefly but fill instantly in heavy rain. Hurricane season approaching.

Physics Reality

Soil infiltration rate is fixed. No amount of holes can absorb rainfall intensity > infiltration capacity. Sump holes help only in light rain.

Solution: Surface Diversion

1. Build a 3-foot-wide berm around patio: start at grade, slope up to 2 inches high at patio edge. Compact well.
2. Optional: Steel edging or rock border if more height needed.
3. Add a shallow swale (wide, gentle ditch) to channel water to a lower discharge point. Can be grassed and barely visible.

Why This Works

Diverts surface runoff before it reaches the patio. Passive, maintenance-free, handles any rainfall intensity. Berm can be planted with grass or groundcover.

Don't Waste Time On

• More sump holes.
• French drains at the patio (they intercept water already there).
• Permeable pavers (still overwhelmed in deluge).