Putting In A Concrete Patio

Putting in a Concrete Patio

A concrete patio is a great way to add extra living space to your home. It's perfect for entertaining guests, grilling out, or just relaxing in the sun. And with a little planning and effort, you can do it yourself. Here's how:

Step 1: Plan Your Patio

The first step is to decide where you want your patio and how big you want it to be. Once you know that, you can start planning the layout. You'll need to decide where you want to place the furniture, the grill, and any other features. You'll also need to plan for drainage, so make sure you choose a spot that slopes away from your house.

Step 2: Excavate the Area

Once you have your plan, you can start excavating the area. You'll need to dig down about 6 inches, and make sure the area is level. You can use a shovel or a rented excavator to do this.

Step 3: Build the Form

The next step is to build the form for your patio. This will create the shape and size of your patio. You can use wood or metal to build the form, but make sure it's sturdy enough to hold the concrete.

Step 4: Pour the Concrete

Now it's time to pour the concrete. You can either rent a concrete mixer or have it delivered to your home. Once you have the concrete, pour it into the form and spread it out evenly. Use a trowel to smooth out the surface.

Step 5: Finish the Concrete

Once the concrete has been poured, you need to finish it. This means smoothing out the surface and adding any decorative touches. You can use a broom to create a textured finish, or you can add stamps to create a pattern.

Step 6: Cure the Concrete

The final step is to cure the concrete. This means keeping it moist for several days so that it can harden properly. You can do this by covering the concrete with plastic or burlap and wetting it down regularly.

Once the concrete has cured, you're ready to enjoy your new patio!