One of the most important elements for the success of a garden is water. Yet, water can also be a nuisance and create countless problems such as flooding, damp, paving staining, skidding hazards, etc.

Therefore, when we create our garden we have to think of water-related solutions and consult a professional. This mainly concerns runoff water (after rain showers or irrigation) but even irrigation can create problems if not applied correctly.

Generally, water travels from a high point to a low point. So first and foremost, you need to ensure that all the garden slopes, whether paved or ground, lead away from the house. Thus, the paving closest to the house will always be higher than the paving further away.

If the garden area is entirely paved, one should make sure to install a large drainage pipe and drain opening to prevent flooding in the event of a short but heavy rainfall.

Controlling water direction is not a substitute for a good and thorough sealing of house walls and foundations. Another important thing to consider about the excess water enclosures:
If planning to plant in pots, it is recommended to plan, beforehand, where these will be concentrated and to install drainage pipes under the paving. Thus you can avoid excess water flowing over the paving and staining it, or alternatively having unsightly drain pipes running across it.