Swimming pool, I mean patio!

[Willow]

I am fed up with bucketing out the water from my sunken patio, poor design does have soak away but little use when the garden is so saturated. I bailed for 2 hours at 6am this morning to get rid of all the water, and another hours worth was there this evening. Water from garden seems to be coming through wall onto patio, going out there around every half an hour and getting rid of 2/3 buckets full.

Don't want to throw mega bucks at it as planning on moving but can anyone recommend a pump or something that would get rid of it quick than the bucket and with less damage to my knees and back?

 

[Brains]

Pond pump available at the local garden centre

 

[Willow]

Pond pump available at the local garden centre

I tried that before but because the water doesn't cover the pump it isn't much help I need something that will pump until the water is all gone - or did I just pick the wrong sort of pump?

 

[Night Train]

You need a sump pump. They stand upright and suck from under their base. It will only pump down to a couple of inches though.
However, as their name implies, they go in sumps. What you do is lift a slab in the patio and dig a hole. Put a bucket in the hole, the pump in the bucket and then cover with the slab. The pump will then empty the bucket as the patio tried to fill it.
The pump comes with a float switch the switches on when the level is high and stops when the level is low. You can adjust the range of the float switch to suit.

You may need a big/deep bucket and you may need to cover with mesh and pebbles or have proper support for the replaced slab.

Machine Mart Linky

 

[Willow]

You need a sump pump. They stand upright and suck from under their base. It will only pump down to a couple of inches though.
However, as their name implies, they go in sumps. What you do is lift a slab in the patio and dig a hole. Put a bucket in the hole, the pump in the bucket and then cover with the slab. The pump will then empty the bucket as the patio tried to fill it.
The pump comes with a float switch the switches on when the level is high and stops when the level is low. You can adjust the range of the float switch to suit.

You may need a big/deep bucket and you may need to cover with mesh and pebbles or have proper support for the replaced slab.

Machine Mart Linky

so doing it this way there are electrics and stuff to sort out? House is currently on market (ha what market?) so not sure if I want to do all that was hoping something could be wheeled out as and when needed.

 

[Night Train]

Yes, will need electrics to it though you could do the same thing with a solar powered fountain pump but it will be very slow.

Alternatively you could have the bucket under a slab and just lift the slab and drop the pump in as required if your slabs are small enough to lift easily. Still a pain but less of a pain. Really depends on how badly and how often the patio floods.

The correct thing to do would be to install a proper drain.

 

[Maz]

Would a big tarpaulin help? Lay it on the floor where the water builds up?
It could be a cheap solution...

 

[snorri]

Here is a manual water pump, you might need to fit a longer output hose in order to discharge the water a suitable distance from the puddle you are pumping out.
http://www.boatsthames.com/easypumps.html

You can get manual pumps with greater capacity, but these would need to be mounted on a secure base to hold them steady while you pump.
http://www.go2marine.com/category.do?no=17041

Improving the drainage is the only real solution, or converting your patio into a goldfish pond.

 

[Willow]

What I have established in the last couple of days is that the water is draining down from the garden, through the patio wall onto the patio - in large quantities! I bailed for another 3 hours this morning went to have a shower and by the time I was back downstairs there was another 10 buckets worth - good job I didn't have a bath! In desperation, (my back and legs plus my brain couldn't take much more bailing) I went to the local pond centre and they had a water butt pump - fantastic, away with the buckets on with the pump and it's doing a good job.

 

[Night Train]

Old fashioned stirrup pumps are also good. Maybe you can adapt an old track pump?

 

[fossyant]

If you ever want to sell the water butt pump (if you move)...... I'll have it !!!

Sounds a nightmare..........

 

[Willow]

If you ever want to sell the water butt pump (if you move)...... I'll have it !!!

Sounds a nightmare..........

Surprisingly enough it's a hozelock, found it in the pond and aquarium shop locally, £50 worth every penny and such a relief to know I won't need the buckets out at 6am tomorrow before work. Just picked up son from friends their whole garden is pretty much underwater and they will have a problem when it encroaches over their patio as house is on the level.

 

[Milo]

Something about water butt pump is massively funny. Maybe I have had to much wine.

 

[fossyant]

Well - it might be good for my water butt - serious offer - if you ever move......given these current climates.....

 

[fossyant]

Something about water butt pump is massively funny. Maybe I have had to much wine.

Bet I've had more than you...nah..nah.... fff offed with trying to get rear pads fitted on the car...grrrrr wasted a whole morning