Deberg Project – San Diego Backyard Porcelain Patio (Carmel Valley)

TL;DR

Modernized a dusty Carmel Valley dirt lot into a clean, 750-sq-ft porcelain entertainment patio with a gas fire pit, updated drainage, and low-voltage LED lighting built for year-round use. San Diego • Carmel Valley • Modern • Porcelain Pavers • Outdoor Living

Project Quick Facts

City San Diego

Neighborhood Carmel Valley (Collins Ranch)

Constraints/Challenges Bare red-dirt backyard with no definition; dust control issues; flat grade requiring drainage planning; no existing utilities for a gas fire pit or lighting.

Goals Create a clean, modern entertainment patio; eliminate the “dirt bowl” feel; integrate a gas fire pit as a focal point; add evening lighting; keep maintenance low.

Scope ~750 sq ft Belgard Dimensions 12×24 porcelain pavers (“Linen”), gas fire pit zone, low-voltage LED path and up-lighting, river rock borders, Blue Moon boulders, decorative gravel, drainage and irrigation adjustments.

Style Modern

Timeline 2–3 weeks total: design, approvals, and 10 build days on site

RANGE $30k–$45k

Problem

“Our backyard is just a big square of red dirt that tracks dust everywhere and offers zero functionality.”
“We want to host friends and family, but there’s no defined space for seating or gathering.”
“The yard feels completely disconnected from the house—we need a design that bridges indoor and outdoor living.”

How IID Helped

The Deberg family had a blank canvas with plenty of potential but no clear way to turn it into a true outdoor room. The existing dirt lot was uninviting, dusty, and unusable for entertaining. IID stepped in as the guide to create a design that emphasized clean lines, modern materials, and long-term performance. We recommended large-format Belgard Dimensions porcelain pavers in “Linen” to brighten the space and stay cooler underfoot, anchored by a dedicated gas fire pit zone for evening gatherings. Our team handled everything end-to-end: design, grading, drainage, gas trenching, lighting layout, and final detailing—so the homeowners could simply enjoy the finished result. We’ve helped over 1,500 San Diego homeowners build their dream outdoor spaces and earned more than 1,000 five-star reviews by delivering code-compliant, on-time projects with specialized crews.

Plan

Usable Space: Convert ~750 sq ft of bare dirt into a functional porcelain paver patio with an integrated fire pit lounge zone sized for hosting.
Grading & Drainage: Finished porcelain surface pitched a minimum of 2% away from the home where it meets the foundation, then gently tapered to approximately 1–1.5% across the remainder of the patio. This ensures positive drainage consistent with CRC R401.3 and directs water into micro-channel drains and a 3″ SDR35 network that discharges into on-site rock dispersion areas, preventing any ponding at the foundation.
Materials & Aesthetics: Install Belgard Dimensions 12×24 porcelain pavers in “Linen” on a 45-degree layout pattern, with Ivory Cream river rock borders, Southwest Brown gravel, and Blue Moon boulders to soften and frame the hardscape.
Utilities: Run a new underground ¾″ yellow PE (polyethylene) gas line with factory-rated risers, installed per SDG&E trench depth and separation standards, pressure-tested to code and terminated with an accessible shut-off valve at the fire pit; install a Pro-Trade 150W stainless-steel transformer and low-voltage wiring for path and uplighting.
Low Maintenance: Use porcelain and decorative rock to drastically reduce ongoing maintenance compared to traditional lawn or planter-heavy configurations.

Build

Demo & haul → base prep and compaction → gas line trenching and pressure test → drainage rough-in (3″ SDR35 + micro channels) → step and fire pit base prep → porcelain paver layout and cutting in a 45-degree pattern → river rock and gravel borders → lighting install and aiming → punch list and cleanup.

• Verified that slope at the home interface met the 2% minimum required by CRC R401.3, tapering to approximately 1–1.5% across the patio field so water drains toward the micro-channel drains. • Pre-Site: DigAlert utility mark-out completed prior to trenching for gas and drainage. • Gas Line: Pressure-test inspection on the ¾″ gas line to ensure SDG&E and CRC fuel-gas code compliance before backfill.

• Gas: Installed underground ¾″ yellow PE (polyethylene) gas pipe with factory-rated risers, installed per SDG&E trench depth and separation standards, and pressure-tested to code prior to backfill. A dedicated shut-off valve was added at the fire pit for safe operation. • Drainage: 3″ SDR35 drain line tied into catch basins and micro channel drains along the patio edge to move water off the surface and into decorative rock beds. • Electric / Lighting: Low-voltage lighting installed per NEC Article 411 using UL-listed Pro-Trade components, with proper burial depth, conduit routing, and required separation from the gas line. Powered by a Pro-Trade 150W stainless transformer with smart socket timer. • Irrigation: Existing irrigation adjusted to accommodate the new patio footprint and rock borders, with drip lines for any remaining planting zones.

Result

The backyard has been completely redefined. The dusty red earth is gone, replaced by the sophisticated look of roughly 750 square feet of Belgard Dimensions porcelain pavers in “Linen.” The expanded patio now comfortably supports both dining and lounge seating, anchored by a gas fire pit that has become the family’s favorite evening gathering spot. Surface water now drains along a code-compliant path: a minimum 2% slope at the home interface tapering to ~1–1.5% across the patio field before entering micro-channel drains and the 3″ SDR35 system, eliminating puddling, dust, and any risk of water sitting at the foundation. Decorative river rock and Blue Moon boulders add natural texture that softens the modern lines while keeping maintenance extremely low. The space finally feels like a seamless extension of the indoor living area.

From Dirt Lot to Dream Patio

“Patrick and the team completely transformed our dusty dirt lot into a stunning porcelain patio that we actually want to use—the fire pit is now our favorite spot to end the day.”

Project Details

Pavers: Belgard Dimensions 12×24 Porcelain Pavers (Color: Linen) on 45-degree layout.
Steps / Trim: Porcelain bullnose and Pietra Real Crema accents.
Lighting: Pro-Trade PTH1 path lights (Bronze, 2.5W LED) and BUL1 up-lights for trees and focal elements.
Transformer: Pro-Trade 150W stainless-steel transformer with smart socket timer.
Decorative Rock: Ivory Cream river rock (4″–6″) and Southwest Brown gravel in adjacent zones.
Boulders: Blue Moon boulders (approx. 2′ × 2′) for visual anchors.
Drainage: 3″ SDR35 PVC piping tied to micro channel drains and surface catch basins.

Finished porcelain surface maintains a minimum 2% slope away from the home at the foundation, in accordance with CRC R401.3, then gently tapers to approximately 1–1.5% across the remainder of the patio. This provides positive drainage at the house and directs water toward the micro-channel drains.
Micro-channel drains are installed along key transitions to capture surface water and are connected to a 3″ SDR35 gravity line that discharges into on-site rock dispersion areas. This prevents ponding at the foundation and avoids concentrated runoff across property lines.

Jurisdiction: City of San Diego.
Permits:
- No structural permits required for flatwork or the non-structural fire feature.
- Gas line installation required and passed a pressure-test inspection per CRC fuel-gas code and SDG&E standards.
- Low-voltage lighting is exempt from permitting but was installed per NEC Article 411 using UL-listed components.
HOA: Aesthetic approval granted for “Linen” porcelain pavers, decorative rock palette, and overall layout.
ROW / Drainage: Drainage is managed on-site via SDR35 piping and rock dispersion areas, avoiding concentrated discharge into the public right-of-way or onto neighboring properties.

Design approved: 09/26/2025
Start: 10/13/2025
Substantial completion: 10/31/2025
On-time completion: 10/31/2025 (project delivered within planned build window)

Investment Breakdown

Component	Low	High
Porcelain Pavers & Hardscape	$18,000	$24,000
Demolition & Site Prep	$3,500	$5,500
Gas Line & Fire Feature	$3,000	$5,000
Lighting & Utilities	$2,500	$4,500
Drainage & River Rock	$2,000	$3,500
Whole project	$30,000	$45,000

Gallery

Seamless indoor–outdoor connection with “Linen” porcelain pavers and defined fire pit zone.

Expansive patio view showing the 45-degree layout and a code-compliant drainage slope (2% at the home interface tapering to ~1–1.5% across the patio).

Precision cuts and layout around the gas fire pit create a clean focal point.

Complete transformation of the backyard into a modern, low-maintenance entertainment destination.

FAQs

Why choose porcelain pavers over standard concrete or regular pavers?

Porcelain pavers are extremely dense, stain-resistant, color-fast, and non-porous. They provide a high-end, modern look that mimics natural stone without the maintenance and are ideal for contemporary backyards like the Deberg project.

Did you need a permit for the fire pit and gas line?

The fire pit itself did not require a structural permit, but the gas line did need to be installed and pressure-tested to code. IID coordinated utility mark-outs and a gas line inspection to ensure everything was safe and compliant.

How do you handle drainage on a relatively flat lot?

We grade the base and surface to maintain a code-compliant 2% slope away from the home at the foundation, then transition to roughly 1–1.5% across the rest of the patio. Micro-channel drains tie into a concealed 3″ SDR35 pipe network so water moves off the surface quickly and never sits against the foundation.

What’s the benefit of the river rock and boulder borders?

Beyond visual interest, rock borders act as permeable buffers that accept runoff from the patio. They reduce splash onto walls, help with drainage, and keep maintenance low compared to planting beds.

How much maintenance does this porcelain patio require?

Very little. Occasional sweeping or rinsing is typically all that’s needed. Porcelain resists staining and does not require sealing like many natural stones or standard concrete.

3-Step Plan: What to Expect When Working With Install it Direct

Design

Site walk, 2D/3D concepts, and a written price range that fits your goals.

Build

We manage permits/HOA, drainage & utilities, inspections, and daily updates to your phone.

Enjoy

Final walkthrough, care guide, warranty, and ongoing service when you need us.

About The Project Manager

Patrick Diehl

Patrick Diehl was born and raised in San Diego and brings a wealth of expertise in both domestic and international logistics, having studied at Southwestern College, San Diego State University, and National University. With extensive experience managing interior and exterior builds for residential, commercial, and high-rise projects, he is particularly skilled in hardscape development and is committed to delivering every project with quality, compliance, and on-time results. In addition to his construction background, Patrick holds a real estate license and is a certified mold, thermographic, and home inspector. Outside of work, his number one priority is family. He enjoys spending quality time outdoors and fine dining with loved ones, maintaining a balance between professional excellence and personal fulfillment.

Other Recent Projects

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Backyard
Curb Appeal
Custom Fire Pit
Decorative Rock
Driveways
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Improve functionality
Increase usable space
Low Maintenance
Modern Design
Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor Living
Outdoor Spaces
Patios and Walkways
Porcelain Pavers
Retaining Walls
Synthetic Turf