how do i fix this?

I have a flagstone patio behind my house which was laid 50 years ago on top of a poured concrete foundation 8-10" thick. Over the years, the concrete has settled and slopes toward the house. I obviously have a water problem.

I would like to put a deck in the back so am considering 2 alternatives. Either way I'm going to pick up the flagstone. To fix the sloped concrete before I build the deck, do I:
a. break it up, grade the ground underneath away from the house and fill in with soil or gravel? (maybe put in a french drainsystem while it's open also)
b. pour more concrete on top and grade that away from the house (so i don't have to break up the concrete.) before I put the posts for the deck.

it is a large area, 15'/40' that I would have to break up.

thoughts/ideas appreciated. thanks...

 

If you have plans for a deck, I would rent a jack hammer and have a fun Saturday breaking up the concrete. I don't think a repour would do much to make the water go away and look good at the same time. Your slab is probably only 4" thick at the most, anyway, so breaking it up should not be a monumental task. That way, you can make the slope the way you want it, even moving the water to the side if you wanted, and even incorporating a supplemental perf drain at the same time. Good luck with the project, and post back if we can help further.

 

thanks. the concrete though is very deep. last summer to put in a quick fix on the water prob, i had my gardener jackhammer the edge near the house and put in a french drain. it was poured concrete 10-12" thick.

apparently, from speaking to my neighbor, the guy who owned the house 20 years ago was a mason and went overboard on anything concrete related.

i was thinking of getting something like this stuff, any thoughts?

http://archerusa.com/Product_Dexpan.htm

 

If your slab has settled toward the house, you have a soil problem and additional weight will not change the drainage.

Remove the concrete and bad soil. Put is compacted soil (and drains if needed) and a new slab or lay the flagstones on the compacted sand with a sand setting bed.

A contractor with a loader and jackhammer can get the concrete out. Hauling it away will depend on access.

Dick