A
concrete patio can be an attractive part of the landscape,
provided it is properly decorated after it
is placed. It is also a convenient landscape element, as the
patio is usually square and is easy to mow around. Additionally,
it is an excellent place to enjoy outdoor cooking and entertaining.
Concrete is durable and it can withstand a great deal of wear
and tear. Building a concrete patio is something that you can
do on your own in about three days. With a little investment
of time, you can save money by installing your patio yourself,
rather than paying someone else to do it.
The
first thing to do, of course, is plan your patio. You
need to figure out how big you want the patio, and mark off
the area. Additionally, you need to make sure you have all
of the necessary tools. 50 square feet is a fairly common size
patio, and for that (at about six inches thick) you need 25
bags of pre-mixed concrete. Make sure that you get the pre-mixed
for best results and easiest construction. You will also need
to make sure you have concrete tools and an automatic concrete
mixer. If you do not wish to purchase these tools, it is possible
to rent them from a home improvement or hardware store.
Next,
you need to excavate the area with a garden shovel. The best thing to do is excavate six inches deep. This is so
that you have a two-inch layer of gravel beneath four inches
of concrete. This is especially important in the north, where
the freezing and thawing cycle can cause drainage problems.
The gravel allows for adequate drainage, and that prevents
cracking due to frozen water trapped beneath the patio.
After
you have excavated your patio area, you need to build a
form to hold the gravel and concrete. This form is usually
made from wood. It acts as a frame of sorts to keep the gravel
and concrete in place, instead of spreading beyond the confines
of your patio. The form can be constructed from wood or strong
plastic or rubber, and should be sunk into the ground lining
the entire border of the patio area. If you want the patio
flush with the ground, the top of the form should be level
with the surrounding lawn. After that is done, put in the gravel.
Make sure you tamp it down firmly to avoid shifting later on.
Two-inch high flat pieces of rock should be installed as well,
on top of the gravel, to act as supports for rebar reinforcing
(the rebar will be built in the middle of the four inch slab
of concrete; two inches of concrete below the rebar and two
inches above).
Rebar
is not solid, but rather a grid consisting of the rebar. You should install the rebar by putting the pieces every two
feet front to back and right to left. At places where pieces
of rebar intersect, secure them together with wiring. The rebar
acts as a concrete unifier and also provides additional support
to your patio. It is an integral part of the patio building
process.
Next,
mix the concrete in the automatic mixer. Make sure that
you follow the directions for adding water. It is best to start
by adding water with the garden hose, then adding the concrete.
Add water again until the concrete is a uniform and medium
shade of shiny gray. Pour the concrete into the prepared site.
Begin at the end of the patio farthest away from the location
of your mixer. If you need to, you can build a ramp to make
it easier to transport the concrete (usually in a wheelbarrow).
Have plenty of filler rocks on hand to add to the mixture.
You should pour as fast as possible, and in order to do this,
it is crucial that everything be prepared as much as possible
beforehand.
Using
the form boards, use a creed to smooth the concrete and
bring off the excess. Cut initial control joints in the
patio using a mason’s trowel. Joints should be 2 inches deep,
and located every three or four feet. As you do this, watch
for a watery layer to appear. It will disappear on its own,
but you should wait for this to happen before proceeding. A
jointer will help you finish the control joints. Make a clean
groove about one inch deep.
Finally,
finish the surface with any desired design elements. A push broom lightly run over the surface can create an interesting
design and create a surface that is slip resistant. Lay plastic
over the patio for properly “curing.” This prevents the patio
from drying too fast. Leave the plastic on for a week and then
do not subject the patio to a great deal of stress for at least
two more weeks.
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SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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