Does Your Patio Need Regrading or Replacement?

A patio is meant to be a place to relax, entertain, and enjoy your outdoor space—but over time, it may begin to show signs of wear, shifting, or poor drainage. If you’ve noticed standing water, uneven surfaces, or cracking in your patio, you may be wondering: does it just need to be regraded, or is it time for a full replacement?

At GCO Landscaping, we help homeowners in Sharpsburg and surrounding Georgia communities assess the condition of their patios and make the right decision for long-term performance and value. Here's how to tell which option is right for your situation.

Why patio grading matters

Proper grading is one of the most important factors in the longevity and functionality of any patio. It’s not just about aesthetics—it’s about protecting your home, landscape, and hardscape investment from the damaging effects of poor drainage.

When a patio is installed without the correct slope, water won’t flow away as it should. Instead, it can sit on the surface, seep into cracks, or worse—flow back toward your house. Over time, this leads to issues like mildew on siding, shifting foundations, and premature wear on your patio materials.

What happens without proper grading?

• • Water collects and stagnates – Standing water is not only unsightly, but it also creates a slip hazard and invites mosquitoes or algae buildup on your paver or concrete surface.
  • Foundation damage and leaks – Repeated exposure to runoff can cause moisture to seep into your home’s foundation or crawl space, resulting in costly repairs.
  • Soil erosion and plant damage – When water consistently flows toward your lawn or planting beds, it washes away mulch, topsoil, and nutrients—leaving your landscape patchy and uneven.
  • Paver instability – Waterlogged base materials can cause pavers to shift, settle, or sink, creating tripping hazards and an uneven appearance.

Signs your patio needs attention:

• • Pools of water linger after even light rain
  • Soil or mulch appears washed out near patio edges
  • Pavers feel loose, tilt, or dip in certain areas
  • You see mold, mildew, or water stains near siding or foundation walls
  • Water seems to settle near your retaining walls or seep into basement spaces

At GCO Landscaping, we often find that grading issues stem from rushed or DIY installations that didn’t account for Georgia’s heavy summer rains and dense, moisture-retaining clay soils. Fortunately, not all drainage issues require a full rebuild. In many cases, regrading the surface can redirect water, prevent further damage, and restore both function and peace of mind.

If you’re unsure whether your patio slope is correct, we can assess it as part of our patio repair, regrading, or replacement services and recommend the most practical solution based on your goals and budget.

When patio regrading is the right solution

Not every drainage issue calls for a full patio overhaul. In many cases, the structure and materials are still in excellent condition—but the slope has shifted just enough over time to cause water to collect in unwanted areas. That’s where regrading comes in.

Regrading involves carefully lifting the existing patio surface—usually pavers or concrete slabs—adjusting the underlying base material, and reinstalling the surface at the proper pitch to direct water away from your home or foundation.

When regrading makes sense:

• • Pavers are intact and level but have settled unevenly – If the surface materials aren’t cracked or crumbling, but you’ve noticed puddles forming, regrading can restore proper flow without changing the look of your patio.
  • The patio is relatively new – Surfaces that are only a few years old may experience minor settling, especially in clay-heavy Georgia soil. Regrading can correct these early shifts before they lead to larger problems.
  • Drainage issues are isolated – If water is only pooling in specific corners or near one edge of the patio, spot-leveling or partial regrading is often enough to fix the problem.
  • You want to maintain your current layout – Regrading is ideal for homeowners who are happy with the design, shape, and materials of their existing patio but need to address functional concerns like runoff or soggy spots.

Our professional regrading process

At GCO Landscaping, we take a precise approach to regrading, using laser-leveling equipment to ensure a consistent slope—typically a 1–2% grade away from structures. We remove and clean your pavers, adjust the gravel or compacted base beneath, and then reinstall everything with fresh jointing sand and edge restraints as needed.

Regrading is especially beneficial for patios in Sharpsburg and surrounding areas where heavy summer rains or poor original installations may have altered the slope over time. By addressing these issues early, we help you prevent erosion, foundation moisture problems, and costly damage—without the expense of a full rebuild.

When full patio replacement is necessary

While some patio problems can be resolved with regrading or spot repairs, there are times when the underlying issues are too extensive for patchwork solutions. A full patio replacement is often the smarter long-term investment when structural integrity is compromised, water problems persist, or your outdoor space simply no longer fits your needs.

Signs it's time to replace your patio:

• • Widespread surface damage – If your pavers or concrete are cracking, crumbling, or showing significant wear across large areas, it’s usually more cost-effective to replace than repair.
  • Uneven or unstable footing – Sections that feel soft, sink when stepped on, or have shifted noticeably indicate foundational failure and can become safety hazards.
  • Chronic drainage issues – If you've addressed water pooling multiple times and the problems return, the issue likely stems from a poorly constructed base or subgrade that needs to be rebuilt.
  • Outdated or dysfunctional design – Older patios might not accommodate modern outdoor living needs such as grilling areas, larger furniture, or multiple zones for entertaining.
  • Failed edge restraints or poor base compaction – When edge restraints break down or the base wasn’t compacted correctly during the original installation, the entire patio structure is at risk of shifting and deterioration.

Why replacement is a worthwhile upgrade

Choosing a full replacement gives you the freedom to redesign your patio from the ground up. It’s an opportunity to:

• • Incorporate modern hardscape features like firepits, outdoor kitchens, or built-in seating
  • Switch to high-performance materials, such as textured concrete pavers, natural stone, or permeable pavers
  • Improve grading and drainage systems to prevent future issues with runoff, erosion, or puddling
  • Enhance curb appeal and usability, transforming your yard into a true outdoor living area

At GCO Landscaping, we don’t just remove and replace patios—we help you reimagine your space to better reflect your lifestyle, maximize functionality, and increase property value. Whether you want a simple, low-maintenance patio or a fully custom entertaining area, our team designs and builds outdoor living spaces that last.

Case example: Newnan patio upgrade

A homeowner in Newnan contacted us about standing water and sinking pavers on their backyard patio. After inspection, we found that the original base wasn’t properly compacted and the edge restraints had failed. Rather than patch the issue, they chose a full replacement. We installed a new paver patio with improved grading, a drainage swale, and low-voltage landscape lighting. The result was not only functional but transformed their backyard into a space they now use every weekend.

Serving Sharpsburg and surrounding communities

GCO Landscaping provides professional patio repair, regrading, and full replacement services throughout:

• • Sharpsburg
  • Peachtree City
  • Senoia
  • Newnan
  • Tyrone
  • Fayetteville

We design and build patios that are not only beautiful, but also built to perform in Georgia’s climate and soil conditions.

Ready to fix your patio the right way?

Let us assess your patio and recommend the best solution.
Whether your patio needs minor adjustments or a full upgrade, GCO Landscaping can help. Our team will inspect the site, evaluate the grading, and offer honest guidance based on your goals and budget.

Call us today or request a free estimate to get started on your patio project. We proudly serve Sharpsburg, Peachtree City, Senoia, Newnan, Tyrone, and Fayetteville with expert hardscaping and drainage services tailored to Georgia homeowners.