Help with raised patio

[Nickfromwales]

There's not much overhang though, so water will run down that constantly with no drip left. I think hack off render and use the decorative slips id the most robust and maintenance free solution, with a colour / pattern that suits the surroundings and won't show any 'lines' but can be pressure washed too.

[Shona63]

5 hours ago, Temp said:

I think cladding with something is the way to go. Perhaps fix pressure treated battens on some sort of non rotting stand off and timber cladding. Or that artificial wood made from recycled plastic?

Wouldn't this still not come off if water is seeping through the walls? 

[Shona63]

5 hours ago, Nickfromwales said:

There's not much overhang though, so water will run down that constantly with no drip left. I think hack off render and use the decorative slips id the most robust and maintenance free solution, with a colour / pattern that suits the surroundings and won't show any 'lines' but can be pressure washed too.

Decorative slips?? 

[Nickfromwales]

5 hours ago, Shona63 said:

Decorative slips?? 

A face brick that is only say 10-15mm thick, that looks like a brick, or the types of tiles/mosaics I linked to.

[Shona63]

9 hours ago, Nickfromwales said:

A face brick that is only say 10-15mm thick, that looks like a brick, or the types of tiles/mosaics I linked to.

Ah ok, thanks. 

[Shona63]

On 09/08/2025 at 17:57, Russdl said:

It looks like two things going on, it’s got wet at the bottom and soaked it up, as @Brickie says, there should be something other than render for the first 150mm up. The other, and most obvious damage is coming from the water tracking off the slabs down the mortar lines and straight onto the render. You need some kind of drip edge under the slabs to stop the water tracking back to the render (plus the mortar needs to get to the end of the blocks). 
 

it looks like there are some weep vents in the wall, do they weep or are they blocked/just for show?

Apologies, I missed your comment.

I think the render was done before the path of slabs running along the walls was laid so I'm not sure what is at the bottom of the render as its hidden. When I started to notice this I asked if something could be attached under the slabs to catch the water and drain it away....told no. The solution was to stick silicon at the end of the mortar. That didn't last long. The mortar I dont believe is the right one as it just comes away when you brush it. 

Until yesterday I couldn't have told you what the weep vents did. I just assumed ventilation but I saw yesterday one was slightly wet underneath it. 

[Spinny]

On 09/08/2025 at 21:40, Shona63 said:

From what I can gauge the slabs are slightly angled to one corner so the water doesn't lie on top of the slabs.

When it pours down with rain the water has to go somewhere and the patio should have a small slope or fall on it so that the water runs off in one direction - either to take the water into a surface drain with a grill or slot on it, or to take the water off to the adjacent ground where it can soak away. Typically the slope will carry the water away from the house to help protect the foundations.

 

You could try putting a hose onto the patio to see where water runs off, or use a ball or something. Possibly the slope is taking the water to discharge over the patio edge at /above the wall. Then if the patio grouting is poor and permeable the water is going to soakaway just behind and above the wall causing the problem.

[Shona63]

4 minutes ago, Spinny said:

When it pours down with rain the water has to go somewhere and the patio should have a small slope or fall on it so that the water runs off in one direction - either to take the water into a surface drain with a grill or slot on it, or to take the water off to the adjacent ground where it can soak away. Typically the slope will carry the water away from the house to help protect the foundations.

 

You could try putting a hose onto the patio to see where water runs off, or use a ball or something. Possibly the slope is taking the water to discharge over the patio edge at /above the wall. Then if the patio grouting is poor and permeable the water is going to soakaway just behind and above the wall causing the problem.

I think the water slopes to one corner and both walls at the corner are the worst. The further away from the corner the less water falls, less marking anf less hollow sounding behind the render. Going on that basis the grout/mortar is a major factor.