A concrete patio can add a nice area for you to entertain in your yard. It offers a clean look to put your barbecue, and some nice patio furniture to gather with family and friends. Adding a concrete patio is something you can do on your own, although it will take a lot of hard work to get the job done, as well as the right tools. Read on for instructions on how to install a concrete patio in your yard.
Gather Tools and Materials
- Ready-mix concrete
- Flat-head shovel
- String
- Wooden stakes
- Re-bar and wire
- Spray paint
- Measuring tape
- 2 x 4 pieces of wood (for the form)
- Trowel
- Wheelbarrow
- Pea-gravel
- Tamper
Instructions
1. To start, you need to measure the area where you want your concrete patio to go. If you are looking to have a very large concrete patio poured, you may want to consider having concrete delivered to your home, rather than you mixing it yourself, as this can take a lot of concrete on your part to create something so large.
2. Once you have the area measured, you need to mark off the grass where you want it to go with wooden stakes, string, and spray paint.
3. Dig out the area with your flat head shovel around the edges, then dig down at least 6 inches into the ground in the area.
4. Take your wooden forms and secure them into the area where your patio concrete will be poured. Make sure the forms are square, as this will be holding your concrete in place to form your patio.
5. After you have dug it out, use a tamper to be sure the ground is tamped down firmly. Then add a two-inch layer of pea-gravel. Tamp down the pea-gravel as well.
6. If your concrete patio will be larger, you should use re-bar or wire to help hold your concrete in place and prevent it from breaking apart. Lay the pieces of re-bar or wire inside the form, spacing out the pieces.
7. Now you can start pouring in the concrete. If you are mixing it yourself, mix it according to the manufacturer's instructions on the packaging and pour it slowly into the patio form. Use a trowel to help spread around the concrete evenly.
8. Once finished, allow the concrete patio to dry and set for a few days and mark off the area so no one attempts to walk across it.
Adding a concrete patio to your yard is a nice addition you will enjoy for years to come, but it does take a lot of work to build one. Leave this work to a concrete contractor if you are looking to add a large patio or if you simply aren't up to the extra work to ensure it is done correctly.
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