How to Install a Patio on Sloped Land

Adding a patio to your property in Nebraska is a great investment because this outdoor feature adds a versatile element to your outdoor space. However, if you plan on installing the patio on sloped land, you need a retaining wall. Patios are slightly sloped at 1/8th of an inch per foot to allow water to drain. Anything more than this and you'll be required to install a retaining wall to achieve this ideal slope, otherwise, you'll face serious issues foundation and drainage issues on your patio. Retaining walls help by pushing the soil back and keeping it in place, effectively turning sloped land into a flat, space that is perfect for your new patio. To ensure everything will look good once finished, you can use complementary materials for your patio and retaining wall so they blend seamlessly with each other.

Patios are slightly sloped for drainage but will need a retaining wall if it exceeds a specific slope.

Patios generally have a slight slope to ensure good proper drainage. They are angled away from your home or business at 1/8th of an inch per foot, so water can flow away into proper channels. If the area on your property where you want to install the patio is more sloped than that, you need to build a retaining wall first. This retaining wall will ensure the patio does not exceed the recommended slope for drainage. Installing a patio on a slope without amending it first through a retaining wall can result in lots of issues. Puddles can easily form around your patio and affect the integrity of its structure.

Retaining Walls Turn Sloped Land Into Flat, Usable Space

Retaining walls, as their name implies, address slope and soil erosion by retaining the soil behind them. When you add a retaining wall to your property, it will push back the slope and keep the soil in place. As a result, you get a flat, usable space either on top of the retaining wall or at its bottom that is perfect for your new patio. It also reduces runoff on your property, especially during heavy rain by redirecting the flow of water through proper channels, so you don't have to deal with serious flooding in your yard. Retaining walls provide stellar functionality by transforming the sloped land on your property into space that you can use all while adding a unique element to your outdoor space.

Use complementary materials so your retaining wall and patio blend together.

Once you have a retaining wall installed on your property, it's time to get ahead with building your patio. With this new additional feature to your outdoor space, you'll want to ensure that your retaining wall and patio will match each other's aesthetic, and you can do that by using complementary materials. An efficient way to do this is to hire the same team to install both features so you can choose from the same material options for them.

Some popular materials used for patios are pavers and flagstone and natural stone and concrete for retaining walls. These materials feature simple yet classic visual appeal that will blend well when paired with each other. This way, you don't get clashing looks on your property and instead achieve a more flawless and intentional aesthetic.

Give us a call today to sign up for our patio and retaining wall installation services!

Are you planning to add a patio to your property but don't know where to begin because of a stubborn slope? Don't fret! Our team at UPL offers patio and retaining wall installation services to ensure you achieve a stunning patio for your outdoor space and address the sloped land that is in the way of making that a reality. High-quality materials are used to construct these features to ensure they will stand the test of time and tolerate different elements! Everything we do is tailored to meet our clients' needs and it will be no different for you. These services are offered to homes and businesses, as well as HOAs, in Omaha, Elkhorn, Gretna, and nearby communities in Nebraska. Give our team a call today at (402) 590-2040 to sign up!