- Mix the concrete. This can be done by hand or with a mixer. Always follow the directions on the bags of concrete.
- Pour the concrete. Do this all at once to avoid independent shifting and settling of slabs. ...
- Push the concrete into all corners with a shovel. Concrete is heavy, so make sure to dump it close to where you want it.
- Use a flat piece of wood or aluminum screed (a long 2x4) to level the top of the concrete. ...
- Use a bull float to smooth the concrete surface. Move the float back and forth to smooth the patio and to fill in low spots.
- Put on the finishing touches. Using an edger, slide it between the forms and the concrete to create a rounded edge.
- Let the concrete cure for at least two days. Cover the concrete with plastic or a curing compound to ensure it stays moist.
When is the best time to pour a concrete patio?
Things I Wish I Would Have Known Before Pouring My Concrete Patio
- It’s easy to mix concrete so it’s too wet;
- Concrete cures much quicker during hot weather — too quick sometimes;
- Concrete slabs crack unless you go all out to prevent and control those cracks;
- If something is worth pouring, it’s worth using reinforcing fibers in the concrete.
How much does it cost to pour a cement patio?
What's the cost to pour a concrete patio? Estimate what you'll pay for a new patio Updated June 3, 2021 The typical concrete patio is approximately 288 sq ft and costs an average of $2,800 (about $10 per sq ft); depending on a variety of factors, your cost will likely fall between $1,300 and $5,100 ($3-$15 per sq ft).
What is the best concrete for a patio?
- Circular – awesome way to accent fire pits or fountains
- Herringbone – a classy, versatile look
- Basket Weave – good for vintage, old-timey styles
- European Fan – the go-to for a European style outdoor space.
- Running Bond – easy to install, little to no paver cutting required
How can I spruce up a concrete patio?
Tips to Refresh Your Concrete Patio
- Hose down nearby plants and cover them and walls and doors with plastic sheeting.
- Use combination clear/etcher to prepare surface for new coating.
- Apply translucent concrete stain.
- Roll edges in random directions to prevent marks.
- Use garden sprayer to coat interior.
- Apply high-gloss sealer for shiny, wet look.
How do you lay a concrete patio for beginners?
How to Build a Concrete Patio SlabStep 1: Lay Out and Excavate the Patio.Step 2: Drive Stakes Along the New Layout Lines.Step 3: Nail the First Form in Place.Step 4: Splice Boards Together, if Necessary.Step 5: Place the Mesh.Step 6: Pour the Concrete Into the Forms.Step 7: Flatten the Surface.Step 8: Round the Edges.More items...
How thick should concrete be for a small patio?
Four inchesFour inches is the minimum thickness for a concrete patio. You'll want to make it six to eight inches thick if the patio will support a structure such as a gazebo or hot tub.
How do you pour a small area of concrete?
1:142:56Laying small areas of concrete - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDampen the area and then simply pour the contents of the bag into the shuttering. And level off withMoreDampen the area and then simply pour the contents of the bag into the shuttering. And level off with a straight edge. Like a trowel or a piece of wood.
Can you pour concrete patio on dirt?
Long story short, yes you can pour concrete over dirt.
Do you need gravel under concrete?
You do need gravel under a concrete slab, footing, or patio. Gravel provides a solid foundation for your concrete as it can be compacted. It also improves drainage, preventing water from pooling beneath the concrete.
How much does a 12x12 concrete patio cost?
The average cost for a 12′ x 12′ concrete patio is about $1,700, or $12 per square foot. The typical range for a concrete patio depending on design, color, and texture is $6 to $16 per square foot, or $864 for a plain slab to a vibrant custom design that costs $2,300.
How many bags of concrete do I need for a 4x8 slab?
Number of bags of concrete for a 4×8 slab at 4 inch thick of 40lb bag = 0.391 ÷ 0.011 = 36 bags. At 4 inch thick, for a 4×8 slab, you will need either twenty three 60- pounds or eighteen 80- pounds or thirty six 40- pounds bags of concrete.
How much does a 12x12 concrete slab cost?
Average Cost To Pour Concrete To pour a typical 10x10 concrete slab will cost $670 to $930, a 12x12 slab for a patio will cost $796 to $1,476, a 20x24 driveway slab runs between $1,440 and $3,360, and a 24x24 slab for a garage will cost $3,058 to $5,944.
How do you pour a concrete slab by yourself?
InstructionsRoughly Outline the Slab Location. In the desired location, use the tape measure and a rope or hose to lay out the general location of the concrete slab. ... Stake the Location. ... Remove the Turf. ... Lay the Sub-Base. ... Build and Set the Concrete Slab Form. ... Coat the Concrete Form. ... Wet the Sub-Base. ... Mix and Pour the Concrete.More items...•
What happens if you don't put gravel under concrete?
Because concrete is a very porous material, it will absorb any moisture that it contacts. This can cause pooling. Without crushed stone, pooling water will settle under it and erode your slab. Adding a layer of crushed stone will add proper drainage, as well as create a barrier between your slab and the ground.
How do you prepare the ground before pouring concrete?
2:176:18Pouring a concrete slab: Prepare the Ground & Drainage - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe first thing you want to do is bring in a backhoe or a skip loader and scrape off any organicMoreThe first thing you want to do is bring in a backhoe or a skip loader and scrape off any organic material or topsoil from the area where the slab will be poured topsoil.
Can I pour concrete over grass?
Cheap and versatile and easy to pour, concrete will last you years down the road. You can pour it just about everywhere—including on the grass. Although it takes a little work, pour concrete over grass to create that walkway you always wanted or that mowing preventative you could previously only dream about.
Can I pour a 2 inch concrete slab?
The minimum thickness for pouring concrete over concrete is 1.5 inches. In most cases, I don't like to pouring the new concrete less than 2 inches thick. Two inches of concrete (or more) that's bonded, gives you adequate strength for a wear surface, especially if you're driving over it.
Is 4 inches of concrete enough?
For a concrete patio, the ideal slab thickness is at least four inches. There are times where thicker slabs will make more sense, but, most of the time, 4 inches is the perfect thickness for a concrete slab. It is, however, wise to make the perimeter of the slab an inch or two thicker.
Is 3 inches of concrete enough?
A 3- to 4-inch slab will work for the floor of a storage or tool shed, workshop, garden shed, or playhouse.
What is the minimum thickness for a concrete slab?
The thickness of concrete floor slabs supported directly on the ground shall be not less than 31/2 inches (89 mm).
How deep should a slab be?
For example, a 4 inch (10 cm) deep slab would use joints that are 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep. Those joints should be spaced every 8 to 12 feet (2.4 to 3.6 m).
How long does concrete cure?
Additionally, flatten out the surface using a float. Finish by letting the concrete cure for 2 days. For tips on how to build a form and how to calculate the amount of concrete you'll need, read on!
How to make a rounded edge on concrete?
Using an edger, slide it between the forms and the concrete to create a rounded edge. When the concrete can support your weight, cut grooves in the concrete every 8 feet. These are control joints that help if the concrete shifts or changes over time.
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To create this article, 10 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 435,108 times.
What is a wikihow article?
Download Article. X. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 10 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback.
Where should the stakes be when pouring concrete?
The stakes should be just below the edge of the forms. They should not be visible above the concrete. If pouring concrete next to a house, other slab of concrete, or other structure, place an isolation joint between the concrete and the existing surface.
Do you have to level the ground before you lay concrete?
You want to choose a mostly even area so you don't have to level the uneven ground before you lay the concrete. Check local building codes to find out if a permit is required, how far the patio has to be from property and house lines, or any other county or city regulations.
How deep should a control joint be?
Kneel on a board to reach the middle of a wide slab. Depth of control joints should be one-quarter of the slab's thickness. Control joints can be made at intervals of about 1.5 times the width of the slab but the distance between them should not exceed 30 times the thickness of the patio- 10' for a 4" thick slab.
How long does it take for concrete to cure?
(Imagine it like a checkerboard and do all the red squares first.) Once they've cured for at least three days, remove the stakes from inside of the remaining sections (black squares) and complete them.
What to use after striking off?
After striking off, use a darby or bull float-depending on the size of your project-for the initial finishing, to smooth down high spots and fill small hollows left after striking off. Use the darby (above, left) on small DIY concrete projects.
How to prevent rain puddles from forming?
To prevent rain puddles from forming, design a 2% slope (every 10' long will drop 2.5"). Place and level a 4"-6" bed of gravel ; you need a gravel base in areas of poor drainage or freezing temperatures. Be sure to compact the gravel base and rent a compacting machine if necessary.
How big is a patio table?
Zook recommends a minimum patio size of 20 to 25 square feet to accommodate furniture and space for walking. He tells customers that for a six-chair outdoor table, they will need at least 10 feet of circumference for the table, plus additional walk-around room.
How to decorate a small patio?
Decorate your small patio to make it feel like an extension of your home. Add string lights so you can use the patio at night. Use patio walls or fences to grow plants or add a small wall fountain.
Can you use integral color on a patio?
You can achieve a wide array of great decorative effects using integral or topically applied color. For a small patio, however, it's best to keep it simple. "The price goes up with more choices of color," says Zook. "It can be more economical to use the same color for patterned fields and borders.".
How do I make a concrete patio?
Make the concrete patio outline using stakes and string. You will need to make the outline 3 inches larger than the patio will ulitmately be to allow for the forms. The patio should slope slightly away from the house to drain. Take off the area of turf within the outline and dig down 4 inches. Tamp down the earth so it becomes firm.
How far apart should I put a trowel on a concrete patio?
To help make sure the slab doesn't crack, use a tool groove to create control joints in the concrete approximately 5 feet apart. To give a skid proof surface to the patio, use a trowel and pass lightly over the surface of the concrete.
How long should I leave polyethylene on a concrete patio?
You don’t want this to happen too quickly, so cover the concrete with a sheet of polyethylene and leave for a week. After a week, remove the polyethylene and the forms. To finish the concrete patio, fill in the area where the forms were set using the dirt you dug out earlier.
How much cement should I use for a 50 square foot patio?
Use your shovel help stir it in the mixer. You will need several loads, as the average 50 square foot patio will usually require about 25 bags of cement. Don’t mix too much at one time or you’ll need to keep adding water, which will thin the concrete.
