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HomeBuildHow To Put In A Concrete Patio

How To Put In A Concrete Patio

Where Can I Buy Patio Pavers In Nj

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

Braen Supply is the most reliable supplier of patio pavers and other landscaping materials in NJ. We partner with the leading paving stone manufacturers in order to ensure that our customers are able to choose from high-quality materials that will cater to a variety of different needs and desires.

Sometimes installing pavers can be tricky and can become overwhelming, so its best to talk to a contractor or our staff to decide if installing them by yourself is really the best option.;Our professional staff offers a wealth of knowledge about each of the products that we sell and are more than happy to answer questions, address concerns;and offer up valuable advice.

Youll enjoy competitive, low pricing every day. Our pavers can be picked up at your convenience or can be bulk delivered to locations throughout NJ, NY, PA;and CT.

Using The Wrong Tools

Strong, heavy-duty tools are absolutely a must when working with concrete. Using the wrong tools results in a shoddy-looking concrete slab.


Before mixing the concrete, have these tools ready: a pressure washer, safety goggles, a large wheelbarrow, an electric concrete mixer, a bull float to flatten the surface, a magnesium float for bumps, tools to create the concrete form, a broom, a brush, an edger, a finishing trowel, gloves and buckets.

Failing To Set Up Proper Forms

A concrete form is a frame made of wood, in which the fluid concrete can be poured. These forms must be strong enough to hold the wet concrete in place and in its proper shape until it is dry and fully hardened.

Forms absolutely must have watertight joints to keep concrete from leaking out. They must also be rigid enough that the concrete cant bow outward. Good formwork makes or breaks the performance of a slab of concrete. A bad concrete form is a recipe for a disastrous patio project.

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Cost To Replace Concrete Patio

If you already have a concrete patio in place, dont forget to include the price to remove concrete in your estimate. This will add about $550 to $1,575 to your overall budget. The size of the slab you need to remove and the associated disposal fees will determine where in this range your project will fall.


How To Pour A Concrete Patio Extension

Can You Put Pavers On A Concrete Patio

When pouring a concrete patio extension, you want the extension to become a part of the existing patio. To do this, you will need to drill holes into the existing concrete patio. These holes should line up with where you install rebar for your patio extension. Slide the rebar for the extension into the holes drilled into the existing patio.

Also Check: How Many 80lb Bags Of Concrete Per Cubic Yard

Epoxy Or Polyurethane Sealers

The second type of concrete sealer costs considerably more than the acrylic variety. This, however, does not mean that it is superior in quality and performance. You will be able to observe a much denser layer but the concrete sealer tends to get slippery and may defeat the purpose if used for an outdoor area that has a lot of pedestrians or foot traffic. This variety also prevents the concrete from breathing moisture, which can turn into a problem as it may leave your concrete patios with a whitish residue which can be seen between the layer of concrete and the sealer that you have used on the surface.

How Tall Should My Deck Be

Adding a deck over an existing concrete patio will add height. Depending on the step down from your back door to your concrete patio, this additional height could be problematic. However, you do have options if space is limited.

If you are using a composite tile that can be laid directly onto the concrete, the deck will only add an inch or so to the height of the patio. You will likely be adding retaining pieces, called fascia, at the edges of the patio to hide the sides of the tiles and hold them in place. The tiles themselves are designed to allow for water run-off, so this option may be more feasible if your patio is close in height to your back door.


On the other hand, if you have a considerable step down from the back door, a raised deck might be a big improvement! Rather than that short drop to get out to the grill while youre carrying a big plate of ribs, your new deck could be level with the back door. It will be a straight transition from the house to the deck, making it a lot less likely that you drop dinner before you can cook it.

If you have stairs down from the back door to the patio, you can add height to the stairs themselves to compensate for the added height of the deck. This is especially easy if you are using the composite tiles that lay flush on the concrete.

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Do I Need A Permit To Build A Concrete Patio

The short answer is, It depends. If the concrete patio youre building is on-grade or less than 30 inches from the ground, you will most likely not need a permit. There is a chance that you might need to pull an excavation permit in that case to make sure youre not digging in any utility pipes or cables.;

However if the concrete patio youre building is above-grade, you will likely need a permit. Other cases where a permit might be required are if you are located in an area with development restrictions, if external structural changes that will be made to the house interfere with land zoning regulations, if you decide to cover a concrete patio, and if you decide to add lighting provisions.


Its always important to adhere to regulations when remodeling your outdoor space. With All Pro Decks, you dont have to worry about whether or not youre following all local regulations. Our team is fully trained and up-to-date on the safety regulations that must be followed in order to build a patio.

Tips For Working With Sleepers

How to Make a Concrete Patio Bigger

Screwing down sleepers with concrete screws is simple, but there are some things to keep in mind:

  • Screws should penetrate the concrete by at least 1 in., so 3-1/4-in. screws are perfect. In low spots, where we had to stack up shims, we switched to 3-3/4- in. screws.
  • As you drill, dust compresses around the drill bit. That slows you down, strains your drill and overheats the bit. To clear the dust, pull the bit completely out of the hole once or twice while drilling each hole.
  • Drill the holes 1/4 to 1/2 in. deeper than the screw will reach. Extra-depth provides a space for dust and grit, so screws are easier to drive.
  • Have extra drill bits on hand. As a bit wears, it doesn’t just drill more slowly; it also bores a slightly smaller hole and screws become harder to drive. We replaced each bit after about 40 holes. When all the sleepers are screwed down, take a few minutes to double-check for flatness. Set a 4-ft. straightedge on each sleeper, both across it and along it. If you find spots that are 1/16 in. or more out-of-plane, back out the screw and add or remove shims.

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Can A Patio Sealer Be Colored

Most clear water- and solvent-based sealers can be tinted, allowing you to add another layer of color to a decorative concrete finish. Some manufacturers offer pre-tinted sealers, while others provide tint concentrates that you can add to the sealer at the jobsite. A tinted sealer can also be used as a stand-alone, low-cost decorative finish if just a hint of color is desired. Get more advice on tinting sealers.

A pressure washer is a great way to clean your decorative concrete patio before sealing. Chutima Chaochaiya / Shutterstock.com.


What Should It Cost To Pour A Concrete Patio Slab

The cost to pour your concrete patio slab will depend entirely on the amount of concrete needed. You should account for the cost of preparation materials like wood for framing, rebar, tool rentals, dump fees and permits along with concrete and labor costs.

If you decide to hire a masonry contractor to install your concrete patio, you should expect to pay between $10-$12 per square foot for standard finished concrete and a bit more cost for decorative concrete. Keep in mind that most companies have a $1,500 minimum for concrete work.

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Lay Out And Excavate The Patio

Lay out the patio with batterboards and masons line. Remove the sod, dig out 8 inches of soil, and compact the exposed surface. Spread gravel on the surface in 2-inch layers, compacting each layer and adding gravel for a bed 4 inches deep.

Install a second set of layout lines on stakes. Position the stakes outside the first set of lines, offset from the first set by the width of the forms youll use. Level the lines with a line level or water level.


Cost Of Concrete Patios Across The Us

How to Install Wood or Composite Deck Tiles

The prices listed in this cost guide are all national averages. Demand and access to materials will vary depending on where you live, leading to diversity in prices on a local scale.;

Some regions may have better access to materials and local contractors than others. If there arent many concrete installers in your area, the lack of competition may affect total costs.;

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Drive Stakes Along The New Layout Lines

Drive stakes along the layout lines, putting them at the corners of the patio and every 2 feet in between. Drive the stakes straight up and down, firmly embedding them in the ground, trim them to height later.

The patio must slope away from the house at a rate of 1/8 to ¼ inch per foot-check local code for the proper rate.


Measure down from the batterboards and mark the two end stakes at the finished height of the patio. Hold a chalk like tight at the marks you made and snap it to mark the rest of the stakes.

How Do I Cover An Old Concrete Patio

An old concrete patio can be the most boring part of an exciting backyard. You dont have to live with that plain concrete patio, though. A little creativity and a liberal helping of elbow grease, and you can breathe new life into that old patio.

Cover an old concrete patio with a wood or composite deck to bring a warm, organic look to the backyard. Build the new deck with wood or composite decking and attach the deck directly to the concrete patio.

There are several considerations regarding the kind of deck you build over your concrete patio, as well as a few other options for patio covering. Keep reading to pick up some tips and ideas.

Read Also: How To Remove Mildew From Patio Furniture Cushions

Cement Needs To Be Consistency Of Peanut Butter

Prepare the Concrete Patch Mix

Use concrete with at least 3,000 PSI and good adhesion. The concrete comes with its own bonding agent. Put the powder in the wheelbarrow or cement mixer. Add liquid a little bit at a time to a peanut butter consistency. Only mix the amount that can be used in 20 to 30 minutes.

You Get What You Pay For

How to properly install a Concrete Patio | Concrete and Cement Work

Much like everything else in life, the bigger and better you go the harder the hit on the old bank account.

A concrete patio cost can vary widely from contractor to contractor so be sure to shop around.;;for more information on how we will get you up to 5 estimates from local contractors in your area.

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Let The Concrete Cure

Lay plastic sheeting over the finished surface. The moisture trapped inside eliminates the need for watering during the curing stage.

Let the concrete cure at least 48 hours, then remove the form boards.

If you already have a concrete patio, and you are not sure if you can put new concrete over old concrete, we have the answer for you in that article!

At All Pro Decks, we are committed to being the best patio and . Building your concrete patio the right way is our first priority! You dont have to worry about following steps, adhering to local regulations, or the correct materials needed to build a concrete patio. You can simply tell us what youre envisioning, and well be happy to help you create your wonderful outdoor space. Check out this article on concrete patio contractors for more!

How To Lay A Slab Using Concrete Mix

Measure, mark using a Carpenters square, cut squarely and nail the formwork together so that the internal measurement is the required dimensions for the slab.;

With square or rectangular slabs, ensure that the formwork is true to square by measuring the diagonals between the opposite corners – these must be equal for the shape to be correctly square.

The height of the timber used for your formwork should equal the thickness of your concrete slab to enable you to screed the finished surface level with the top of the formwork.

Place the formwork in situ and use a spade to mark around the outside edge of the formwork. ;This will mark the area you will need to dig out to the required depth.

Move the formwork out of the way and dig out the area for the slab to the required dimensions. Allow an extra 5 cm of depth for a bed of crusher dust or road base under the slab.

Place the formwork back in position and ensure that it is level using a spirit level. You might need to dig a trench to ensure that the formwork is set at the correct height. Backfill against the formwork so that it stays in place,;and hammer in timber pegs at 100 cm intervals on the outside of the formwork to hold it firmly in position whilst you pour your slab.

Ensure the pegs are level with or below the top of the formwork so that it is possible to screed the surface when the concrete is poured.

Guide to getting the consistency of Concrete right

Hints & tips

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Concrete Patio Cost Per Square Foot

Concrete is one of the most durable materials you can use for your patio. Its especially suitable for warmer climates because it doesnt absorb heat well, and it can last for up to fifty years without needing to be resurfaced or resealed. You can even install concrete pavers by hand and avoid the cost of pouring concrete.

An entry-level concrete patio can typically cost around $5/sqft and a more elaborate concrete patio that is stamped, designed, or given color treatments can cost up to $18/sqft.

Print This Pagehow To Lay A Concrete Slab

Easier Paver Patio Base That Will Save Your Back

Follow these simple step-by-step instructions to lay a small concrete slab in your garden using Cement Australia Concrete Mix.

Tools you will need:

  • Tamper or plate compactor for compacting the base material

Materials you will need:

  • Bags of Concrete Mix 20kg
  • Lengths of timber for formwork
  • Timber stakes
  • Reinforcing mesh
  • Double headed or clout nails for easy removal
  • Road base or crusher dust to bed slab

Hints & tips

For larger jobs it is worthwhile hiring a concrete mixer and a plate compactor to get the job done properly.

Recommended products

Although you can use any product from the Cement Australia concrete range, we recommend Cement Australia’s Concrete Mix.

For increased strength & durability we recommend;using Cement Australia’s Extra Strength.

Before you get started

Safety

Before you begin any project, please ensure you protect yourself with the following:

Look after yourself properly

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Not Knowing The Type Of Concrete You Need

There are literally thousands of types of concrete. What kind will you use to pour your patio? Its all the same, right? Not really.

You might decide to pick up some quick-setting cement, low-heat cement, or sulfates-resisting cement. Should it be blast furnace slag, high alumina, or air entraining? These are just a few kinds of cement that serve different purposes. Whatever you choose, a strength of 4,000-4,500 psi after a one-month cure is an important feature to keep in mind.

Prep The Area For Staining

Now that the concrete is clean, make sure your shoes are, too, before you walk on the patio again. The surrounding ground will be wet from concrete cleaning. We changed into a pair of clean, dry shoes to work on the patio. Before cracking open the stain, shield the lower portion of the house and any nearby landscaping materials to protect against drifting spray. Tape plastic film along the siding. You donât have to protect plants and grass if you donât want to . If any dirt gets on the patio after youâve cleaned it, brush the concrete lightly with a broom to avoid pushing the dirt into the surface.

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Painted Concrete Patio Cost

For an estimated $2 to $6 per square foot, either painting or coating concrete is a great way to add design and/or color to your patio concrete with professional quality products.

  • Pros: Depending on your concrete contractors skill, you should have the choice of literally any color.
  • Upkeep: Standard cleaning methods and resealing every couple of years.
  • Summary: A straightforward, inexpensive way to add designs or color to your concrete slab.

Set Up The Guide Strings

How to Setup a backyard for a Patio concrete pour start to finish

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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