Introduction
Have you ever dreamed of having a beautiful patio to hold your BBQ parties? Maybe you just bought a new house and feel something is missing, but your pockets are empty.
Or you’re a capable homeowner who enjoys doing these projects yourself. Whatever the reason, the good news is that DIY concrete patios are affordable and accessible to achieve, even for beginners.
A poured concrete patio is sturdy and can withstand various weather conditions. Best of all, it is a relatively simple DIY project you can take on with guidance.
This article will provide the guidelines you need to tackle this project. I’ll make sure to keep everything simple and easy to understand.
Here is also an article about concrete forms and texture.
Preparing for the DIY concrete slab
Before you start your DIY concrete patio pour project, you first need to prepare the area that will later be the patio. Measure the area outlining the stake. Measure down from the bottom of your doorway 71/2″ and mark the siding. This will be the top of your patio.
You will need 10″ of the gravel and concrete mark. If you have more than that, you must add steps in 7 1/2″ increments. Once you’ve set your height, you’ll hit a stake in the ground at your selected height.
Go to the edges of your patio, attach a string line loop around one end, and pull it across to the other parallel end. Do it so it goes over the stake by the door you used to set the height.
With both ends attached, pound in simultaneously as you help until the line touches your reference stake. Use the string level to adjust to the level.
With your reference height set, nail one end of a 1×6 board to match your height. Have your helper nail the other end to the stake as you hold it.
Next, do the same for the side perpendicular to the one you did to set a square corner. Measure 3′ up one of the boards to make a mark and 4′ up the other board to make a mark. The distance between the marks should be exactly 5′.
Repeat this step on the opposite side. First, you attach the form boards to opposing sides and check you’ve got square corners. Then, you can ensure the front and back measurements are the same. At last, you can put the forms together.
Now, it’s time to set the pitch. Code requirements are 1/4″ per foot. Use the level you want to determine this pitch. Your partner can adjust the height of the shape as necessary. Make sure the outside corner stake is pounded in front of this step.
Once a pitch has been established, nail the shape to the stake. Now, all you have to do is keep the level of the front shape as you settle the shapes to the stakes. Once the patio shapes are in place, place the stakes every 2′ to prevent buckling.
Concrete patio drainage
Now is the time to add gravel to our concrete patio drainage. The clear stone 3/4″ or 7/8″ should be used. The quarry or landscaping company will estimate how much you need. Always get 1/2 ton more than you would recommend. Make sure the measurements you give are accurate.
Once you’ve got all the gravel between your shapes, ensure you’ve got about 3 1/2″ to 4″ from the gravel to the top of the form. Now, you’ve got to compact the gravel with the rented plate compactor.
This will prevent a settlement. Make at least two passes and ensure the gravel is evenly spread before compacting.
Now lay some 2x4s about half the width of your patio. Use your string line to ensure the board is the same as your forms. Repeat for the length of the courtyard.
Is rebar necessary for a concrete patio?
For our poured concrete patio to be able to handle pulling forces, I’d add a rebar before the pour. The pouring concrete slab article might help with that, so check it out if you’re considering it.
Now, to pour the concrete patio.
Finally, it’s time to pour the concrete patio! Call your local concrete distributors and give them your measurements. They’re going to bring out enough concrete for a job.
Ensure you’ve got the boat float, the mag trowel, the steel trowel, the edge trowel, and the 9′ 2×4 before ordering the concrete. Depending on how you set up your yard, you may need to roll out the concrete to the backyard.
You can choose what kind of concrete you want based on your desired finish. Generally, because of its added strength, you should always have fiber mesh concrete.
As the truck pours out the concrete, you must be quick and shovel and rake the concrete as best you can between the 2x4s. Use 9′ 2×4 to screed the concrete smoothly.
You move the board back and forth as you pull it across the top to smooth the concrete. All you have to do is run the board at the top of your reference boards and follow the string line in the house.
Repeat for areas where you can only sometimes use 2 of the reference points to screed off.
Pull out the 2×4 you used as a reference in the middle of the patio when you’re done pouring the concrete and screed it. Fill the holes with a tossing shovel full of concrete from outside the shaped and poured patio. Use the boat to level out the concrete.
While one person cleans the concrete off the tools, the other should take the edge trowel and go around the entire perimeter of the patio. This is going to create a nice, smooth edge. Once this has been done, use the boat float to smooth out any areas you see are high or low.
When the concrete has cured for about 20 minutes after you pour it, you should be able to finish it. I’ve chosen a broom finish for this example. Drag the bristle broom across the patio toward the pitch to make a broom-type texture.
Once the concrete has cured for approximately 12 hours, the concrete forms can be removed. Then, it would be best if you bought a concrete sealer to protect against the flaking of a substantial face. This concludes the DIY definite patio guide; I hope it will help.
Conclusion
Pouring a concrete patio isn’t impossible, even for beginners. You need to prepare every stage carefully to succeed without trouble. After four weeks, after the concrete has fully cured, you can consider decoration for the slab. If you’re working in cold weather, check this guide for cold weather concreting.
Here is a guide on painting a concrete patio to give direction. It can also be polished or stained.
