Ready to add a new concrete patio in Pooler along with drainage solutions and shade features like a pergola? If so, you might want to first consider a few things we highlight in this recent Backyard Patio & Drainage Transformation in The Highlands of Pooler, GA, we completed!
When we first visited this beautiful home in the popular neighborhood of The Highlands at Godley Station near Pooler and Savannah, we quickly noticed the existing screened-in porch, as well as the water-runoff issues. The homeowners wanted to expand their usable backyard space and manage their stormwater away from their foundation and porch.
Having seen similar backyards like this in Pooler, the team here at Coastal Hardscapes helped create a solution combining:
- Drainage improvements
- L-shaped concrete patio extension
- Custom wooden pergola
- Better outdoor entertaining space
Today, we will walk you through it all, complete with pictures and explanations of each step!
Sometimes the best backyard transformations aren’t just about adding more space. They also require solving the drainage problems happening underneath and around that space.
– Miguel Pinto, Coastal Hardscapes Founder
The Existing Backyard & Screened-In Porch
Before we got started, these homeowners in The Highlands at Godley Station already had a screened-in porch and an existing concrete slab, but the backyard space just wasn’t working the way they wanted it to.
The gutters came down near the corners of the screened enclosure, which meant we needed to think through drainage before adding any new concrete. Outside of the porch, there was also limited usable patio space with mostly open lawn surrounding the area.
Our goal was to create a larger outdoor living space that looked like it belonged with the home from the beginning, while also making sure we properly handled the water coming off the roof. From there, we were able to design a solution that tied the new patio, pergola, and drainage together into one complete backyard upgrade.
Solving the Gutter Drainage Problem Before Building the Patio
If you have ever read our stormwater and drainage article, you will quickly realize that good hardsacpers install patios, but great ones install a long-term solution that takes into account stormwater, gutters, your patio, and your comfort! To put it another way, here at Coastal Hardscapes, we didn’t simply pour concrete around the existing gutter locations for this homeowner in The Highlands.
Our first step was to route the water – specifically from the gutters – away from the house and patio before installing the new patio. Here is why we do this:
Why Route Gutter Water Away From the Patio?
Living in the south means one thing each summer afternoon – thunderstorms and heavy rains. When the heavy rains hit, your gutters collect the runoff and displace it at the end of your downspout, often close to your home’ sfoundation. This can cause numerous issues including:
- Water collecting beside concrete
- Washout and erosion
- Standing water near the screened porch
- Saturated soil
- Water moving back toward the foundation
- Long-term concerns when patios are installed without thinking about drainage
Keeping this in mind, the first thing we always consider when installing a patio or outdoor living area is drainage. Drainage should be planned before the patio is installed, not after water problems appear, when it is too late! So our solution was to install trench drains complete with PVC pipe (corrugated pipes fail over time).
Installing Trench Drains for the Backyard Gutter Downspouts
Installing trench drains for gutters is not an overcomplicated process; it is just often labor-intensive. The factors we consider are the pitch and fall of the underground pipes and the proper distance away from your home. Here are the steps we took to install a new trench drain for this Highlands home:
- Identified the gutter/downspout locations around the porch
- Planned underground drainage routes before completing the patio
- Installed trench/drainage lines to collect water from the gutters
- Extended the lines away from the house
- Connected drainage from the rear corners of the home
- Routed everything toward the lawn
- Installed ground/pop-up emitters where the water could safely discharge
What Is a Pop-Up Drainage Emitter?
A pop-up drainage emitter is a simple way to move gutter water farther away from your home, patio, or foundation. The emitter sits nearly flush with the lawn and connects to an underground drainage pipe.
When enough water flows through the pipe, the top of the emitter lifts and releases the water into the yard at a safer drainage point. Once the water stops flowing, it closes back down.
For homes in Pooler, Savannah, and Godley Station, this can be especially helpful when downspouts empty too close to patios or foundations. Instead of allowing roof runoff to collect beside the house, we can route it underground and discharge it farther out into the lawn where the water can spread out more naturally.
Creating the New L-Shaped Concrete Patio
Once the drainage was taken care of, we could focus on the part of the project the homeowners would enjoy every day: the new patio.
We designed an L-shaped concrete patio that wrapped naturally around the existing screened porch and gave the family much more usable outdoor space. The layout made the backyard feel larger and more functional without taking over the entire lawn.
- Expanded the entertaining area beyond the existing screened porch
- Created a natural connection between the porch, patio, and backyard
- Added dedicated space for grilling, seating, and outdoor furniture
- Preserved plenty of open lawn for the homeowners to enjoy
- Used concrete to create a clean, finished transition from the home to the yard
Preparing the Area for the New Concrete
Before we install any patio – whether it is concrete or pavers – we always create a design rendering to get your stamp of approval. Once the layout and measurements are complete, before we ever have a shovel hit the ground, we get a utility marking done to ensure we don’t dig up anything important.
In this case, the drainage work was done, so our next step was to create the forms for this concrete patio in Pooler. Once the area was prepared, we installed the forms and built a solid base so the new patio would have proper support underneath. We added reinforcement where appropriate before placing and finishing the concrete to create a clean, durable surface. After the pour was complete, the concrete was “finished” and allowed to cure properly before the space was ready for the next phase of the project.
Since we also built a wooden pergola, we preplanned the location and installed the posts before pouring the concrete for the patio. By doing this, we ensured the
Adding a Wooden Pergola Over the New Patio
Pergolas do more than just provide shade; they create architectural definition and depth for your backyard. Partial shade is great for managing the sun while creating spaces for lighting and even decorating. Many of our clients express how a pergola makes their patio feel like an intentional outdoor room instead of a cold slab of concrete. In the case of this pergola in The Highlands, the transition from the screened porch to the patio back to the pergola creates a smooth transition. These spaces are perfect for accommodating future outdoor furniture, lighting, fans or entertaining features depending on the design
Why do pergolas work well for Pooler backyards?
Pergolas are a great fit for homes in Pooler, Savannah, and throughout coastal Georgia because our long outdoor living season gives homeowners plenty of opportunities to use their patios throughout the year. They can also help break up the strong summer sun and create a more comfortable place for relaxing, grilling, or entertaining without completely enclosing the backyard.
For homes that already have screened porches, which are common throughout the Savannah and Pooler area, a pergola creates a natural extension into the open-air portion of the backyard. It helps define the patio as its own outdoor living space while still keeping the area open, bright, and connected to the yard.
One Backyard Project, Three Problems Solved
Let’s take a quick look at this overall project from start to finish!
Before
- Limited patio space
- Gutters emptying near the house
- Underused lawn beside the screened porch
After
- Expanded L-shaped concrete patio
- Underground gutter drainage
- Lawn discharge through ground emitters
- New wooden pergola
- More usable outdoor living space
- Better connection between screened porch and backyard
Why Drainage Matters When Building Patios in Pooler & Savannah
Water drainage is an important part of any patio project in Pooler, Savannah, and coastal Georgia. We get plenty of heavy summer rain, and many neighborhoods like The Highlands, The Hunt Club, and Godley Station have relatively flat lots where water can sit if grading and drainage aren’t planned correctly.
Adding a new patio also changes how water moves through the backyard. Solid concrete creates a solid surface, so instead of soaking into the ground, rainwater has to be directed somewhere. If that runoff is not considered during the design process, water can collect around the edges of the patio, near the screened porch, or even closer to the home’s foundation.
Downspouts are another major factor because they can move a large amount of roof runoff into a very small area. That is why we look at the entire backyard before we start installing concrete, including the existing grade, gutter locations, and where the water will go once the new patio is in place.
At Coastal Hardscapes, we try to solve those issues as part of the project instead of waiting for drainage problems to show up later. A patio should not only look good when it is finished—it should also work with the property and help move water away from the home properly.
Thinking About Expanding Your Pooler Backyard?
If you’re ready for your new patio and pergola, Coastal Hardscapes helps homeowners like you design outdoor spaces that work as well as they look. From solving drainage and gutter runoff issues to building patios, pergolas, and complete outdoor living areas, Miguel and the Coastal Hardscapes team can manage the project from the initial design through installation.
With nearly 20 years of hardscaping and outdoor construction experience, our team can help you make better use of your existing backyard while accounting for drainage, layout, and long-term functionality.
Planning a backyard project in The Highlands, Godley Station, Pooler, or Savannah? Contact Coastal Hardscapes to schedule an outdoor living consultation here:
FAQ
1. How do you drain gutters away from a concrete patio?
Gutters can be drained away from a concrete patio by connecting the downspouts to underground drainage pipes that carry water away from the house. Depending on the property, the system may include trench drains, solid drain pipe, catch basins, and pop-up lawn emitters. The goal is to discharge roof runoff into a safe area of the yard instead of allowing water to collect beside the patio or foundation.
2. Can you extend an existing concrete patio?
Yes, an existing concrete patio can often be extended if the current slab, elevation, drainage, and surrounding property allow for it. The new area must be properly prepared so the addition drains correctly and transitions naturally from the existing patio. Coastal Hardscapes can evaluate the existing concrete and determine the best way to expand the outdoor living area.
3. Should drainage be installed before a new patio?
Yes, drainage should ideally be planned and installed before a new concrete or paver patio is completed. Adding a patio changes how rainwater moves through a backyard, so downspouts, grading, and runoff should be addressed before the finished surface is installed. Planning drainage first can help prevent standing water, erosion, and water collecting near the home.
4. Can Coastal Hardscapes build a pergola and patio together?
Yes, Coastal Hardscapes can build a pergola and patio as part of the same outdoor living project. In this Highlands at Godley Station project, we constructed the wooden pergola while completing the new concrete patio. Handling both parts of the project together allows the patio layout, pergola placement, drainage, and overall backyard design to work together.
5. Does Coastal Hardscapes work in The Highlands and Godley Station?
Yes, Coastal Hardscapes provides hardscaping and outdoor living services in The Highlands at Godley Station and throughout Pooler, Savannah, and surrounding coastal Georgia communities. Services include concrete and paver patios, pergolas, drainage solutions, retaining walls, fire pits, outdoor living areas, and other custom backyard improvements.
6. How much does a backyard patio and pergola project cost in Pooler?
The cost of a patio and pergola project in Pooler depends on the patio size, site access, concrete or paver selection, pergola dimensions, drainage requirements, grading, and site preparation. Properties that require underground drainage or additional preparation will typically involve more work than a straightforward patio installation. Coastal Hardscapes evaluates each property individually and provides a project proposal based on the design, materials, and work required.
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