Pool Drainage

Proper drainage around a swimming pool is not optional; it is essential for protecting your pool structure, maintaining a safe patio surface, and preserving the longevity of your entire pool hardscape investment. At Brothers Paving & Masonry, we design and install comprehensive pool drainage systems for Long Island homeowners that manage every source of water around the pool area, from splash-out and deck washing to stormwater runoff and rising groundwater. Our drainage solutions are engineered specifically for the demands of a pool environment, where water is a constant presence and the consequences of poor drainage can be severe.

The most immediate risk of inadequate pool drainage is standing water on the patio surface. Puddles and wet spots on a pool deck are a serious slip hazard, particularly for children and elderly family members. Even small amounts of standing water can make pavers, stone, and concrete slippery enough to cause falls. Our drainage systems eliminate standing water by grading the patio surface to direct water toward drains and installing collection systems that capture and remove water quickly. The result is a pool deck that drains within minutes of a rainstorm or heavy pool use, keeping the surface safe for everyone.

Beneath the surface, poor drainage can cause far more expensive problems. Water that saturates the soil beneath your pool patio undermines the compacted base that supports the pavers or stone, leading to settling, shifting, and uneven surfaces over time. On Long Island, where freeze-thaw cycles are a constant concern from November through March, water trapped in the base layer freezes and expands, heaving pavers upward and creating dangerous trip hazards. A properly designed drainage system removes water from the base layer before it can cause this kind of damage, extending the life of your pool patio by many years.

The pool structure itself is also at risk from poor drainage. Water that flows behind the pool coping and into the bond beam area can deteriorate the concrete and corrode reinforcing steel. In winter, water that has infiltrated the pool wall can freeze and cause cracking and spalling that leads to structural failure. Drainage systems that direct water away from the pool perimeter and into collection points protect the pool shell from these damaging forces and help you avoid the most costly pool repairs.

Our pool drainage solutions include several system types that we combine and configure based on the specific conditions of your property. Channel drains, also called trench drains, are installed flush with the patio surface along the pool perimeter or at the patio edge. These linear drains capture sheet flow across the deck and direct it into an underground pipe system that carries the water to a dry well, storm drain, or other approved discharge point. Channel drains are highly effective for pool decks because they intercept water across a wide area without creating obstacles or trip hazards on the patio surface.

Slot drains offer a more discreet alternative to channel drains, with a narrow profile that is nearly invisible on the finished patio surface. These drains are ideal for modern pool designs where a clean, uncluttered look is a priority. Despite their slim appearance, slot drains provide excellent flow capacity and are easy to maintain with periodic flushing.

Point drains and catch basins are positioned at strategic low points in the patio grade to collect water that flows across the surface. We set these drains at locations determined by the grading plan, ensuring that every section of the patio has a clear path for water to reach a collection point. The grates are selected for pool environments, with slip-resistant surfaces and openings sized to capture water efficiently while preventing debris from entering the system.

Subsurface drainage addresses groundwater and water that percolates through the paver joints into the base layer. We install perforated pipe within the aggregate base to intercept this water and direct it to the discharge system before it can saturate the subgrade. This is especially important on Long Island properties with high water tables or clay-heavy soils that hold moisture and drain slowly. The subsurface drainage layer works in concert with the surface drains to provide complete water management from every direction.

All drainage piping is installed with proper pitch to ensure gravity flow to the discharge point. We use solid PVC pipe for transport lines and perforated pipe for collection zones, with clean-out access points at turns and junctions for long-term maintenance. Connections are sealed with watertight fittings, and the entire system is tested before backfilling and surface installation to verify performance.

Long Island presents unique drainage challenges around pools that our systems are designed to handle. The high water table in many South Shore and low-lying communities means groundwater can exert upward pressure on pool surrounds, especially during wet seasons. Coastal properties face additional challenges from storm surge and tidal influence on groundwater levels. Our drainage designs account for these conditions by incorporating adequate system capacity, proper discharge planning, and backup overflow provisions for extreme weather events.

We also address drainage issues created by the pool equipment pad and backwash discharge. Filter backwash water must be directed away from the pool patio and foundation, and equipment pads need drainage to prevent water from accumulating around pumps, heaters, and salt chlorine generators. We integrate these requirements into the overall drainage plan so every water source around your pool is managed within a single, cohesive system.

Brothers Paving has solved pool drainage problems across Nassau and Suffolk County for years. Whether you are dealing with a patio that floods after every rainstorm, a pool surround that has settled from base erosion, or a new pool installation that needs a complete drainage system designed from scratch, we have the expertise and the equipment to deliver a lasting solution. Contact us today for a free drainage evaluation and protect your pool investment for years to come.