wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Use a spirit level to ensure it’s as flat as possible. If you wait till the next day, you can still fix the edges, but you will have to use a lot of pressure and you will have to mix some extra cement to fill holes. Use very sturdy wood or it could bend or even break under the weight. How to lay a concete patio | Patio made of concrete | Oxcrete Whether you’ve chosen marble, sandstone or concrete paving, carefully to lower your first slab into the concrete. Inspiration, keyboard_arrow_left Joints should be 1/4 the thickness of the slab. You can use a sturdy wheelbarrow to make up your concrete mix, as this way it’s easier to move and dump it, but you might prefer to use a mixing board. I received estimates on getting a concrete slab poured, and it was higher than I, "The step-by-step instructions and the added tips of things to remember to look out for or remember to do were, "Very good description of stakes and forms usage. There is a huge selection of tile styles and colors for you to choose from, and the greatest benefit of using tiles is that they can be laid directly on top of preexisting concrete. For further information on the types of cookies we use, please see our privacy policy. Download our guide to the most popular garden patio paving patterns and see for yourself how a small patio doesn’t have to mean a small sense of character. If mixing by hand, you can put the concrete mix into a mortar tub or a wheelbarrow. Using a respirator will prevent you from getting a sinus or lung infection. For tips on how to build a form and how to calculate the amount of concrete you'll need, read on! I can't wait to try it. You will need to mix one part cement with six parts ballast and check the bag for a starting point as to how much water you’ll need. Laying the patio. It’s also important to consider what you’ll be using your patio for. Use the string or a level to ensure the forms are level. Almost certainly, one have to decide upon to loosen up in the shade in place of being definitely exposed. It is very important to take the time to get this done correctly, otherwise you will have major problems further down the line. This article has been viewed 425,232 times. The primary reason why homeowners choose to upgrade their concrete patios is to … After laying a row of tiles, insert tile spacers between them. It will make its own cut for you without you having to worry about measurements. Water will float to the surface during this process. Always think about the weather on the day you will be laying concrete. This handsomely photographed book includes the latest ideas on design and materials, along with essential landscaping advice from industry professionals. In all, a good article - well done. If the ground is uneven, you have two choices: build up the low side or dig the high side out. Use a sweeping brush – and a hose pipe if necessary (although bear in mind you’ll need to let it dry afterwards) – to make sure your concrete surface is smooth and clean before you start. Fill the gaps between the slabs with the mix and use a brick jointing tool to pack it in and create a nice smooth finish. Multiply the thickness, the width, and the height of the area to determine how many bags you will need. Once the cement has set, you can create the mortar mix. Put the finishing touches to your project by using the mortar mix to fill in the spaces between the slabs. To check the mix is thick enough, pick some up and mould into a ball. If your patio extended 8' away from the foundation, the pitch should drop 2". Preparing the Ground Under the Patio. Our Products, keyboard_arrow_left 5. Pavers Over Concrete: Assemble the materials The materials for this 12 x 14-ft. patio cost about $850, or $5 per sq. Those little squares are the pavers. Design an inviting patio with decorative features such as flagstone paths and stone walls. Laying pavers over this material may pose problems to the drainage as concrete slabs have the inability to drain water through the blocks and into the earth. Check your local building codes for the exact slope dimensions. Make sure the concrete gets into the corners by spreading it with a shovel or float. Ramps can be made with 2x4s or other long pieces of wood. It’s important to remember that the finished surface level of your completed patio should be at least 150mm (two house bricks) below any adjacent damp proof course. 4. Step 7. If you lay pavers or any material over concrete and set it . Any rubble that I had left over from other work I crushed and used as extra gravel. Yes. If you use the 1/2 inch or more tools, it will push down the rocks well and you can leave the wood forms on until the next day. Dig a bed that’s 105mm deep Do this before you begin the project. References Hi there I have layed many of patios on existing patios, concrete slabs. How deep should they be cut? Now it’s time to start laying paving slabs on your concrete. This project doesn't require any special skills and can be completed in a weekend. If not, you may immediately bypass this segment and continue to the next. For all you need to know about laying a concrete slab, follow this step-by-step guide: Preparing the groundFirst you need to mark out where you are going to cast your slab. A pickax can help loosen up the soil, which will make it easier to dig out. If not, you may immediately bypass this segment and continue to … If using a wheelbarrow, make a ramp so you can pour the concrete into the area. Low maintenance much like a concrete driveway, and easy to install, we here at Oxcrete Ltd have put together a step by step guide to help … keyboard_arrow_left This ensures there are no gaps left and water cannot enter and cause damage later on. nearest Marshalls-accredited installer. Prepare Concrete Slabs . They will help keep the grout lines straight and create a professional looking result. My thoughts have changed in this last year. Prepare your concrete Levelling the slabs . What I want to do is install 2 inches of concrete over the top and power float to … Alternatively, you might already have a concrete base in place. Step 6 Level the slabs. Just use an extra 2 inches of concrete so you have a total thickness of at least 6 inches. If the patio is too large in area, it might not be an easy DIY job. Make sure the stakes are firmly embedded in the ground. If you’re laying a small patio, do this in a wheelbarrow, for larger areas it’s worth hiring an electric cement mixer. If you live in a particularly wet or cold climate, consider concrete slabs with air entertainment. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Patios need to slope to allow for water runoff. We use cookies to help give you the best experience possible. Prefer to have your patio installed by an expert? By tapping gently with a rubber mallet, you are able to keep the pavers nice and flat. Pavers against these areas can cause rotting issues and blocked airflow problems over time. Concrete is fully cured after 28 days – this is when your new patio will be at its full compressive strength. Decisions made, you’ll then need to mark the area using string lines and pegs. 5. Use a 2 x 4 in a sawing motion to level and remove excess concrete. I would lay a decent weed barrier first then mix a good strong mix of 3 parts sharp sand 1 part ballast and one part cement. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Lay out the patio with batterboards and mason’s line. Angle the surface of concrete half way up the side of the paver and smooth the surface using a wooden float. Always lay flags the 'narrow' way - ie, if laying a 600x300mm flag, make sure the 600mm long edge is on the ground and that you are only stretching 300mm to lay the flag. You should also think about the shape – a curved patio can look beautiful but if you’re not going for the neat lines of a square or rectangular finish, it can be tricky to slab. Working slightly outside of the area you’ve defined with the string lines and pegs, dig a 105mm bed. How to lay paving slabs on a patio. Long sleeves and pants are best. Any gravel larger than 1/4 inch will pack down well. Joints should be 1/4 the thickness of the slab and placed 2 or 3 times the thickness of the slab. Concrete patio slabs can be cut with a sharp bolster and club hammer. Mark the area Take care not to get mortar on the face of the slabs as this can stain them. 2. If you push the trowel out towards the corner, you run the risk of breaking off the corner. Mark out the area where you wish to lay the paving stones. The standard slope is 1/8" per foot. To save on this expense, however, consider making a concrete patio one of your next do-it-yourself projects. Align the top of the expansion joint strip with the tops of the form boards. Insert spacers between all of the tiles you lay. If you already have a concrete patio, you may be wondering why you would want to expend the time and effort on covering it up in the first place. It’s important you tamp it down to push the coarse aggregate in the concrete below the surface and consolidate the concrete. It's not that any method is terrible, but logically thinking about things and knowing how water, freeze-thaw conditions, etc. For example, a 4 inch (10 cm) deep slab would use joints that are 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep. Wait a couple of days. The mortar mix should consist of five parts building sand and one part cement. Check that the centre of your site is level with the edges and isn’t rising up or dipping down. Install reinforcement (optional) such as rebar and rewire set on bolsters (inset photo), and then mix and pour the concrete. Creating concrete for laying your patio. Concrete block paving can be used to create a simple patio or walkway in your backyard without the headache of … Consider using steel concrete forms to avoid this problem. Finish by letting the concrete cure for 2 days. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. According to several paver manufacturers, paving blocks can be installed on top of Mark the proposed cut with a pencil, on all four sides of the slab. laying concrete over concrete? Gently one by one, lift each of the stones, and then apply mortar to the bed of sand and gravel or to the concrete slab, simply to the surface on which the user is attaching the stones to, then lay the stone over the wet mortar. Almost certainly, one have to decide upon to loosen up in the shade in place of being definitely exposed. Fluctuation in the height of the base can cause shifting or cracking in the patio over time. Tired Concrete Patio Transformed With Sandstone Paving. Dig the area deep enough to accommodate the sub base (100mm) and damp-proof … 1. Before beginning your project be sure and read through these pages for additional information, particularly on the subjects of finishing and curing. This article has been viewed 425,232 times. Ordinary concrete is fine for your average backyard patio, but to create a rich, inviting outdoor patio space, installing tile is the best way to go. ", helpful. 1. Building a concrete patio (or any concrete slab) is similar in many ways to the walkway project. The location is also important. wanted to spend. This requires a screwdriver. Cut your tiles to size. Best instructions I have seen. When shaping corners, push the trowel from the corner inside (start at the corner and end away from the corner). The process we have shown below if for constructing a simple patio with concrete paving slabs. What size and kind of gravel do I need for the base? If the forms are not level, you might end up with uneven concrete. In this case, 96% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. However, the advice is usually to avoid walking on it for at least 24 to 48 hours to allow it to dry and strengthen and become the beautifully laid patio you’ve put so much effort into. Take care to add just the right amount of water for a firm consistency – it should be damp, but not wet and runny. Whether you’re mixing the concrete yourself or laying paving on existing concrete, we’ve put together this step-by-step guide to show you how it’s done. Previous Step Next Step. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Wear protective eyewear and gloves. It’s a good idea to wear knee pads and gloves for this to avoid potential burns from the wet cement. 1. Covered Patio Designs – What Options Do You Have? Use four parts sand to one part cement and water – you’re looking to get it to a firm consistency. Sep 21, 2014 - Explore Cece Cece's board "How to lay concrete" on Pinterest. Can I pour concrete directly on the ground after removing grass, without putting stone down? My workshop floor, used for welding and machinery servicing, is concreted at 4 to 5 inches deep but the finish is very rough and not comfortable to lye down on or kneel. How to Lay Deck Flooring on a Concrete Patio | Patio flooring, … Installing Tile Outside on a Concrete Porch or Patio | Today's … This is very helpful, but step 6 includes a direction that seems a bit glossed over: "Cut grooves in the concrete every 8 feet." Getting help from others will help with this step. Brick or concrete pavers are durable and weather-resilient, which makes them an ideal low-maintenance material for patios and walkways. Always dry lay your patio first, a simple job of laying out the paving as you want the finished patio to … Yes. Lay slabs on a bed of mortar 5cm – 8cm deep, tapping down firmly with a rubber mallet or pressing down with your hands. Lay The Stones: Into a bed of the mortar lay the stones. Always dry lay your patio first, a simple job of laying out the paving as you want the finished patio to be. Generally at least 1/4" for every foot. If you are laying paving slabs for a car to drive on you will need a different process than the one shown below. By using our site, you agree to our. You can also use a. Now, how do I lay paving slabs that require cutting? Don't be afraid to apply pressure on the concrete when shaping it. See All The Steps. If you use the 1/4 inch tools it will leave a line close to the top and will not push down rocks as well. Prepare a concrete mix of three parts sand and one part cement, adding water to create a doughy consistency. You can use wooden pegs and string to mark out the area where the concrete is going to be poured, allowing an extra 75mm for the formwork. You can also use screws instead of nails. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/49\/Pour-a-Concrete-Patio-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Pour-a-Concrete-Patio-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/49\/Pour-a-Concrete-Patio-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1384641-v4-728px-Pour-a-Concrete-Patio-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"