How about drilling some holes at the low spots for drainage and putting down a piece of indoor-outdoor carpeting?

You could put down some playground safety tiles.

Graywings, what sort of tool would I use to drill a drainage hole? I guess, it needs to only go through the concrete, but also allow me to excavate some of the dirt from underneath -- and put gravel in its place? Seems involved... Any hints? Thanks!

Homebound, the safety tiles themselves will not solve the puddles-problem, will they? Unless, maybe, they are high enough for the puddles to flow off to the sides... Khmm.

The concrete should have been laid on some gravel and sand ... any masonry bit can chew through it and it should be enough to keep the puddles froim accumulating.

We had that problem with one part of the patio , so my dad drilled 1/2 inch hole and packed it with sand.

The concrete should have been laid on some gravel and sand ... any masonry bit can chew through it and it should be enough to keep the puddles froim accumulating.

We had that problem with one part of the patio , so my dad drilled 1/2 inch hole and packed it with sand.

Lazygardens, does not the 1/2 inch hole get filled with debris? I thought, I'll need to put in something bigger, like this drain sump:

We actually have such a thing already on the other side of the house -- buried into brick-lined floor...

If the concrete is not the entry to the house, why not jackhammer it away and cover the area with bark mulch, cedar chips etc.?

We have the same problem and DH also wants to drill holes. But I'm afraid that water will get in there and freeze during the winter. Won't that cause the concrete to crack?