Drip Grooves for Steps and Coping

September 21, 2010

Planning to add a smart wall coping? Choosing bullnose steps? Don't forget to insert drip grooves. We explain what they're for and why you need them.

What is a drip groove?

A drip groove is a 5mm groove cut into the underside of coping or step tread, 25mm from the long edge. It runs along the length of the edge. Wall coping will have one cut into both undersides. For steps, a single drip groove is cut under the leading edge. You also find drip grooves in window sills.

A bespoke drip groove offers the option of installing light strips. Here underlighting adds drama to these steps in Comblanchien porcelain, installed by PWP Landscape.

What is a drip groove for?

It acts as a barrier, preventing water from reaching the wall or step riser below. Thus it protects masonry from becoming excessively wet, which can cause damage to stonework and mortar. Find out more about adding coping to your garden design.

An illustration of a drip groove on the underside of a stone slab.

How does a drip groove work?

Rain water lands on top of the coping stone or step tread, runs around the edge of the stone and along the underneath. When the water hits the drip groove it drips to the ground, rather than continuing to the wall and running down the brickwork.

When do you need a drip groove?

Not all steps and coping need drip grooves. It depends on what you choose when selecting an edge profile. Downstand steps and coping have no need, as it is impossible for the water to run along the underside from the edge.

Standard and bespoke steps and coping

All our standard bullnose, chamfered and pencil round steps and coping come with a 5mm drip grooves already cut. For bespoke orders, we can apply a drip groove of any width. These grooves are also useful for housing discreet lighting. See our complete range of natural stone and porcelain steps and coping Post updated: August 2023

Extra large drip grooves applied to Grey Yorkstone here, which could also house LED lighting.