Have you hired a concrete contractor to install a new patio in your backyard? If so, you may be curious about what steps are involved for the concrete patio to come together.
Mapping Out The Patio
The process starts with marking the ground where the patio is going to be built. This can be done with spray paint to know where the soil needs to be dug up. The contractor will remove soil, debris, and anything else that is necessary to make the ground level in the marked area. Know that an old patio doesn't need to be removed if you are building on top of it. Concrete can be placed on top of soil or existing concrete. However, the soil should be compacted to prevent it from settling later.
Placing The Forms
Forms are placed in the ground, which is essentially wood that is going to hold the concrete in place. These forms are removed after the concrete has set, which will leave a nice slab of concrete with even sides. Part of the process of placing the forms is making sure that there is a slope running away from the home, which will help rainwater drain away from your foundation.
Installing The Rebar
Rebar is necessary to prevent your concrete patio from cracking. This is especially important if you are building the patio on top of a combination of existing concrete and dirt. The rebar holds everything together and makes the concrete less likely to crack over time, since the ground beneath a portion of the concrete can settle.
Wetting The Dirt
Any dirt that the concrete is being placed on should be covered with water. This will help prevent the dirt from absorbing the water in the concrete, and prevent any problems from happening while the concrete is drying.
Filling In The Forms
Now the concrete can be poured into the forms. It's important that the rebar is lifted up as the concrete is poured so that the rebar ends up within the concrete, rather than laying directly on the ground. The concrete is then leveled to ensure there is a slope from the home and that the concrete is smooth.
Cutting The Joints
Once the concrete has dried, the forms can be removed from the concrete to expose the bare concrete. Joints must then be cut into the top of the concrete, which are essentially thin lines. These prevent the concrete from cracking as it expands and contracts during different weather cycles.
For more information, contact a concrete contractor near you.