Q&A for How to Pour a Concrete Patio

Return to Full Article

Coming soon

Add New Question

Question

How do you prepare the ground for a concrete patio?

Alberto DeJesus
Construction Specialist
Alberto DeJesus is a Construction Specialist and the CEO of DeJesus Industries. With more than four years of experience, he specializes in high-end real estate development and construction. Alberto and DeJesus Industries have been featured on NBC News and have worked with numerous well-known companies, including Mazda, Amazon, and CVS. Alberto holds a Bachelor’s degree from Boston University.

Alberto DeJesus

Construction Specialist

Expert Answer

Check that the ground is leveled and pitched after you've excavated the area for your patio. Also, keep in mind what direction the water is going in relation to your patio, and think about which direction you'd like the water to go.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2
Question

When cutting the concrete, how deep do I cut the pieces?

Dan McVey

Community Answer

Joints should be 1/4 the thickness of the slab. For example, a 4 inch (10 cm) deep slab would use joints that are 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 12
Question

Can I pour concrete directly on the ground after removing grass, without putting stone down?

Community Answer

Yes. Just use an extra 2 inches of concrete so you have a total thickness of at least 6 inches.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 9 Helpful 13
Question

What size and kind of gravel do I need for the base?

Community Answer

The size of the gravel is not as important as packing it down. If the gravel is packed down, it will prevent the cement from cracking. If the gravel is not packed down, it will settle and the cement will crack where there is no support. Any gravel larger than 1/4 inch will pack down well.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 7
Question

Can you make a cement slab in a plastic box and place it when dry?

Community Answer

Yes, but the trick is to get the concrete to a consistency that it doesn't stick to the box and apply some kind of oil to the box beforehand to get clean edges.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 7
Question

This is very helpful, but step 6 includes a direction that seems a bit glossed over: "Cut grooves in the concrete every 8 feet." Cut them how? How deep should they be cut?

Community Answer

You can buy a groover, it's a special trowel. It will make its own cut for you without you having to worry about measurements.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 9
Question

What is the best approach for making a 15' square patio?

Community Answer

The best approach would be excavating from the top down. Follow the directions listed above.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 4
Question

How much pitch should be in a slab as to have the water run away from your foundation?

Community Answer

Generally at least 1/4" for every foot. If your patio extended 8' away from the foundation, the pitch should drop 2".

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 13 Helpful 6
Question

How long do you need to wait after a patio is poured can you put the furniture back?

Community Answer

Wait a couple of days. The concrete will be soft or green for 30 days, so be careful not to drag anything, to avoid creating scratches.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
Question

For a job like this do I need to put rebar, wire or other filler inside the slab?

Community Answer

Yes. Use wire mesh, rebar or fiber. Most common is wire with rebar into the house foundation.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 2
Question

What is the height of the wood siding above the concrete?

Community Answer

At least a half an inch. You can use a flashing detail to ensure water is forced onto the slab and not towards the foundation. It will also make the 1/2" gap between the patio and siding look nice.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

How long do I have to wait to put the furniture back after I pour the concrete patio?

Community Answer

Wait at least a couple of days. Concrete will be "green" for 30 days. Green means it is still soft.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

Do I need to put anything between my concrete foundation and the patio when the patio is going to be concrete?

Community Answer

Tie concrete slab into the house with 5/8 rebar. Use a two part epoxy to secure the rebar into the pilot holes of the house foundation.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0