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How Deep To Dig For Concrete Patio

How Deep Does A Patio Foundation Need To Be

DIY Backyard Concrete Patio with Underground Utilities

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Similarly, it is asked, how deep should a patio sub base be?

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Highways 150mm +

Likewise, how do you lay a patio without concrete? Although building your patio over a concrete slab helps to ensure it won’t settle unevenly later, you can build a patio without cement. By laying flagstone, tile, brick or other sturdy, flat pavers on a well-prepared base, your patio will be less expensive and more water-permeable.

Correspondingly, is laying a patio difficult?


Lay a patio now and you’ll enjoy the benefits each time you’re out in the garden. It’s not a difficult job, so put aside a weekend and you’ll soon be entertaining friends, or enjoying a well-earned rest on your new patio surrounded by pots and plants.

How do I build a patio base?

Here’s how to lay a patio in 6 easy steps.

  • Dig 150mm into your patio area.
  • Lay a compacted sub-base of 100mm.
  • Cover the area with 40mm of concrete mix.
  • Lay paving slabs 15mm into the concrete with a 10-15mm gap.
  • Leave to set for at least 24 hours.
  • Fill the gaps between the paving slabs with concrete mix.
  • Drying Concrete: Curing The Diy Patio

    Patio slabs need to be moist cured to keep their surfaces from drying too quickly- especially in our high desert heat of Twin Falls, ID. If the surface dries too soon, it will be weak and may later become powdery or crumble away. Cure your concrete by keeping it wet. Cover the slab with burlap, sand, straw, or other material and wet it . Wet it down as needed until curing is finished.

    Another option is to use plastic sheeting or a commercial curing compound. Water evaporating from the slab will be trapped, eliminating the need for wetting.


    Whatever method you choose, curing should last a minimum of three days-longer in cold weather- but it’s best to let the slab cure for a week, just to be on the safe side. Don’t walk on it for at least 3-4 days, nor drive a vehicle until 10 days have passed.

    Now it’s time to enjoy your new DIY cement patio!

    Need More Help? Check back to our site as we will be adding the best “how-to’s” on concrete, and articles for do it your-selfers.

    Set Up The Guide Strings

    Set up guide strings to represent the edges of the patio, using stakes and mason’s lines. Start by driving two stakes at each corner of the patio area, placing the stakes about 1 foot beyond the edges of the patio. Tie mason’s lines between pairs of opposing stakes to create a square or rectangular layout. The points where the strings intersect mark the patio corners. The strings should be at least 6 inches above the ground.

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    Determining Depth Needed To Dig

    After you determine the quality of the underlying soil and measure for the gravel base below the concrete slab, you can then determine the depth that you will need to dig. For small, traditional patios, digging a total of 8 inches to allow for enough room for the gravel base and concrete.

    For larger patios, you may need more room for the added support, especially if you plan to place heavy objects such as patio tables or hot tubs on the patio. Of course, be sure to assess the specific purpose of your patio as it may affect the depth of the area being dug.


    Another factor that may play a role in how deep you need to dig to provide the proper support is whether you want your patio suspended or on the ground. If you want your patio on the ground, then you may need to dig to a deeper depth or otherwise make the patio thinner.

    Which Patio Cover Material Is Best For You

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    Read on to find out which option is best for you and your home: Wood – The unparalleled beauty of a wooden deck makes wood one of the most popular options on the market. Metal – If you’re looking to save some money on your new patio awning, Houston, TX is the best place to buy metal awnings. Vinyl – Vinyl is your third choice when it comes to choosing a new patio cladding.

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    Are Footings And Piers The Same Thing

    A footing is required for piers and foundation walls. As a rule of thumb, for residential buildings, the footing is twice the width of the wall that it supports. Because the footing is wider than the wall or pier resting on top of it, the footing also prevents the pier or foundation from lifting out of the earth.

    Will Mice Leave If They Smell A Cat

    For example, if mice smell cat urine, mice are likely to leave the area to avoid the predator. Stowers discovered that pheromones travel through the mouse nose to the brain, where the pheromones will interact with neurons which stimulate emotions. In this case, its the smell of cats that sparks fear in mice.

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    How Do You Cover A Concrete Patio With A Tarp

    Cover your terrace with a tarpaulin attached to 4 pillars when you are not at home. Use only 2 studs and a tarp attached to the wall of the house . Buy a tarp or tarp that already has grommets in the corners so you can easily attach it to the studs.

    Lanai patioWhat’s the difference between Lanai and patio? The difference between a patio and a porch is that a patio is a paved outdoor area adjacent to the house for dining or relaxing, while a porch is a Hawaiian-style covered patio.How does a lanai and a porch differ?A porch gives you more freedom because it can be attached to any part of your home. While a porch is generally located in the back of your house, a porch can be in the front or on the sides. Your

    Do You Allow Dogs On The Outdoor Patio

    How to Pour a Concrete backyard Patio Slab [Beginner Guide]

    Dog-friendly rooms should have a separate entrance to the patio or outside so pets don’t have to cross the restaurant to get there. Dogs should also be on a leash, well behaved, and kept away from furniture.

    Covered outdoor living spacesWhich furniture is right for your outdoor living space? The best materials for aluminum garden furniture. Aluminum is by far the most popular material for modern garden furniture . Wicker resin. Braided resin, also known as weatherproof vine, is a more durable and weatherproof synthetic fiber fabric wrapped around a metal frame. Drink. Be recycled plastic

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    Is It Expensive To Resurface Concrete

    Concrete resurfacing is an inexpensive, practical, and enticing patio restoration alternative.

    Many other construction materials are generally expensive these include wood, brick, and stone, but not concrete.

    The average cost to resurface 100 square feet of concrete is $400. Less expensive projects can run as little as $300, while more expensive ones are about $500. The price per square foot can range between $3 and $5.

    We are talking in terms of product availability, the price of the product on the counter, durability of the product, and the amount you will be charged for installation in case you choose to have a professional do the renovation project for you.


    But if you are psyched up, you could pull out a fine resurfacing job by yourself if you choose to, but of course, with the help of an extra hand. It will not only give you a pleasant experience but will also help you cut down on expenses.

    Concrete, a mix of sand, gravel, and water and cement resurfacing products, are readily available, making them more affordable. Concrete will give you a value of between 10-20 years, depending on maintenance when properly mixed and properly applied.

    Nothing is expensive when you badly desire it.

    How To Get A Solid Frost

    • When you pour concrete footings, hold the cardboard concrete form tube about 12 in. up from the bottom of the footing. Do this by nailing the sides of the tube to the center of a tic-tac-toe grid of 2x4s at the top of the hole. Then dump concrete through the tube into the bottom of the hole. After the wide part at the bottom of the hole has filled, the tube will fill too.
    • Flare the sides on concrete footings so the footings will resist heave in harsh winters when frost penetrates especially deep. Greater width at the bottom will also distribute weight over a larger area.
    • Mound soil around the posts after the backfill settles to direct runoff water away from the post.
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    Measuring For Gravel Base

    You can support your concrete patio by adding a gravel base underneath it. The gravel base provides a barrier between the soil in the ground and the patio itself. It can strengthen the patio and allow it to hold more weight reliably.


    It is essential to properly measure the gravel base. A mistake that occurs all too often for DIY homeowners is underestimating the amount of underlying gravel that is necessary. Once again, the amount of gravel depends on the purpose of the patio. A thinner patio will not need as much support as one that must hold more weight.

    Each situation is unique, but the typical rule is to add the same size gravel base as the concrete slab. For example, if you are aiming to add four inches of concrete, then plan for four inches of gravel base. This is an important determination in determining the depth in which you need to dig for the concrete patio.

    Pouring Concrete Patio: What Could Go Wrong With Doing It Yourself

    Animal Burrows Under Concrete Patio

    So, youre ready to make this summer the year of outdoor fun in your backyard, and youve got a new concrete patio on your mind. Before you pour the concrete yourself, keep in mind there are practical, aesthetic, and safety concerns that come with any DIY concrete project.

    The fact is, pouring concrete requires a good deal more knowledge and skill than other home exterior projects. Doing it right demands careful planning, as well as the proper materials and tools to avoid weakened concrete and an inevitable do-over. There are a number of things you need to carefully avoid in order to stay safe and prevent a DIY disaster.

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    What Should You Put Under A Concrete Slab

    Whether you pour concrete for a walkway or patio, a strong gravel base is required to prevent the concrete from cracking and shifting. Gravel is especially important in clay soil because it doesnt drain well, which results in water pooling under the concrete slab and slowly eroding the soil as it finally drains.

    When To Cut Control Joints

    Make sure you are cutting joints soon enough. In hot weather, concrete might crack if joints are not cut within 6-12 hours after finishing concrete. In this condition, if you dont want to use a grooving tool to cut joints, there are early-entry dry-cut lightweight saws that can be used almost immediately after finishing. These saws cut 1 to 3 deep, depending on the model.

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    Nail The First Form In Place

    Align a 2×4 with the marks on the stakes and nail it in place with two duplex nails. Brace the form board with a 3-pound sledgehammer while you pound in the nails.

    Nail the rest of the stakes to the form board the same way. Cut the stakes flush with or slightly below the tops of the forms. You will use the tops as guide to level the surface of the concrete, and any stake sticking above the surface will keep you from keeping a smooth surface.

    Cut a 2×4 long enough to span each of the remaining sides. Put each board in place so the top is level with the marks you made earlier on the stakes. Attach stakes to forms with duplex nails. Nail in the remaining forms.

    How Thick Should Base Be For Pavers

    How to Pour a Concrete Patio DIY – Part 1- Prep

    Pedestrian walkways should be between 4 and 6 inches deep, while driveways should be 8 to 12 inches deep.

    Local soil conditions, as well as the type of soil and its moisture content, influence the need for depth. To drain properly, clay bases require greater excavation depths than other types of foundations.

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    Prepare The Form With Rebar

    Once your ground is excavated and the gravel is set, you can begin to outline your patio with a wood frame and mesh rebar. Youll want to make sure that the frame is properly set before pouring any concrete, so be sure to follow these steps:

    • First, attach wooden stakes near each end of 2×4s, making sure that the smooth side of the stake is flush with the inside of the boards. This is best done with screws and a drill.
    • Second, using a mallet or a soft hammer, pound the stakes firmly into the ground, following the outer edge of your string outline. Its essential to make sure that the corners where your boards meet are straight and form 90-degree angles.
    • Lastly, fasten the 2×4s to one another at the corners using screws and a drill. This will prevent the frame from shifting once the concrete is poured. To keep the concrete from bonding to the wood, coat the form with a commercial release agent or vegetable oil.

    Make sure you use the right rebar and rebar tools for your patio project to properly support your concrete slab from below. Choosing the right rebar can be tricky, so let BN Products-USA, LLC help you. We have a wide range of supplies and tools for any of your concrete projects. To speak to one of our team members, give us a call today at .

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    Are Dogs Allowed In Restaurants In Illinois

    If a restaurant accepts pets, you must notify the local health department at least 30 days before allowing dogs. The restaurateur can also limit the number of dogs allowed. In Illinois communities with populations of 1 million or more, an ordinance may be passed allowing dogs to enter restaurant patios.

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    How Thick Does Concrete Need To Be For A Patio

    One of the first questions that contractors and homeowners constructing a patio should ask before they begin is how thick the concrete needs to be for the patio they are constructing. A patio that is not thick enough may not offer the support needed to effectively hold weight. On the other hand, a patio that is too thick may cause aesthetic concerns and lead to wasted costs.

    Of course, every patio construction is unique. The exact thickness of the concrete will depend on the specific factors of the patio, including the status of the soil beneath the patio, whether the patio will be in-ground or above ground and what will be placed on the patio. The following is an in-depth overview of how to determine the proper thickness of your concrete patio.

    How Can I Insulate A Sliding Patio Door

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    The easiest way to insulate a sliding glass door for the winter is to cover it with an insulating panel. You can cut the rigid insulation panel out of Styrofoam, encase it in a wood frame and paint it to match the walls.

    Patio landscaping ideasWhat are some paver patio design ideas?The road to the cobblestones.Network.Seattle-Zen.Terrace overlooking the Pacific Ocean.Souvenirs with a beautiful design.Blue stone ribbons.Portland Modern.Small lot in Minneapolis.The Blue Stone in the Blue Ridge Mountains.Retreat to Vancouver.How to landscape around patio?Create a border. Start with a paved patio,

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    How Thick Of A Concrete Slab Do I Need

    Concrete doesnt need a standardized concrete patio thickness, although there are guides to concrete slabs. These will be 4-inch thick in many instances, which is now the average for most concrete patios.

    It is advisable, however, to stick to 4-6 inches of gravel as your foundation. If you stick to the minimum of 4 inches thick, youll need an 8-inch pit as the minimum.

    On occasions, you will find some patios require more concrete patio slab thickness and are often in high-traffic areas or will have heavy objects on them. A thickness of 8 inches may be more common than you think.

    Planning And Preparing For Your Concrete Patio

    A isnt something that can be easily removed or replaced so if youre thinking about in your yard, taking some time to plan and prepare properly is time well spent. Heres some ideas about things youll want to consider before you start pouring that .

    Upfront Planning

    • Check you local and state building codes to find out whether you need permits to build your patio and ensure you have the proper planning, zoning and home owners association permission before you go any farther.
    • Consider buying some 3D construction planning software that will allow you to actually see how your patio could look in various shapes and configurations before you invest any money or effort in actually building it.
    • Think about how you are going to be using your patio. For example if it is going to have another structure built on top of it , you will to provide extras support where the barbecue will be located. Are you going to want to run electrical, sound or possibly CATV cable out to your patio? Consider installing some 3 PVC pipe in the base so you can easily add those cables . Its a lot easier to provision for a potential need now, rather than having to figure out how to get those cables out there in a few years.

    The base is very important.

    How deep do you go?

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