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3 Reasons Most DIY Concrete Patios Fail

Tips from a Concrete Company to Set Your Patio Up for Success!

Concrete patios are becoming more of a trend and it’s not difficult to see why – they’re sturdy, they’re long-lasting, and they look amazing! But to have a concrete patio that’s sure to be the talk of the neighborhood, you’ll have to keep three important factors in mind.

If a concrete patio isn’t set correctly, it could cause dilapidations over time, which could potentially be dangerous. Make sure your patio is safe – don’t take shortcuts and refer to our additional concrete tips and tricks for more assistance.

From our concrete company to your home, follow along to create a concrete patio that avoids these common mistakes!

“Make sure your patio is safe”

Reason #1: No Concrete Form Is Built

In order to make sure your patio is stable and won’t crack/crumble over time, it is integral to have a concrete form. A concrete form works to keep your concrete mixture in place while it dries. When you originally mix your concrete, it will be more of a liquid (similar to a peanut butter texture) that can ooze and spill easily.

That’s why a form is so important, in order to keep your concrete in place while it hardens. Once it is set, it will become stiff, and you will be able to remove the concrete form as you wish. Be sure to allow 24-48 hours for your concrete to dry, depending on the type of mixture you used. You should be able to find this information in the directions located on the container.

“A concrete form works to keep your concrete mixture in place while it dries.”

Reason #2: Concrete Form or Template Isn’t Level

Because you’re going through the process of creating your gorgeous new patio, of course you want it to look its best! That’s why it’s so important to make sure before pouring your concrete that the form or template you’re using is level. If not, it could lead to bubbles, cracks, and splits within your new patio – which, surely, isn’t the look you’re going for.

This can sometimes be tricky to determine when working on uneven terrain, so it may be helpful for you to purchase a leveler, just to be completely sure that your form or template is level. This will ensure that your new concrete patio is smooth and seamless!

“Make sure before pouring your concrete that the form or template you’re using is level.”

Reason #3: Measurements are Rushed

As previously mentioned, it is extremely important to take your time when pouring concrete. As a concrete company ourselves, we wholeheartedly understand the intricacies that come with this process. Measurements are one of the very first things you should do before even thinking about leveling, mixing, or pouring your concrete.

If your measurements are rushed, there’s a higher chance they won’t be exact – which could lead to uneven forms, crooked templates, and an overall unideal outcome of your concrete patio. One of the biggest pieces of advice we can give you is to take your time to make sure the measurements are exact – from there, everything else should go smoothly!

“It is extremely important to take your time when pouring concrete.”

Contact us for more assistance

As your trusted concrete company, we are here to help you with whatever project you may be working on. For more tips, tricks, and advice, don’t hesitate to contact our experienced team members!

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What is Pervious Concrete?

Pervious concrete is just as the name implies – it’s a pavement application that allows stormwater through it so that it can seep into the ground. It’s made in a similar fashion to standard concrete, but without sand or water. Excluding sand and water in the mixture creates voids in the material that allows water to pass through. These voids typically account for 15-25% of the area once it’s hardened.

Although pervious concrete has been around for centuries, it’s only gained popularity in the United States in the last 50 years. It actually gained popularity in Europe after World War II due to a shortage of cement.

 

What are the benefits of pervious concrete?

There are a lot of benefits to using pervious concrete, namely reducing the amount of stormwater runoff that makes its way into the sewers. While this may sound harmless, runoff water picks up a good deal of surface pollutants along the way before it reaches the sewer.

Because pervious concrete reduces the amount of pollution in the water, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) named it a Best Management Practice for Stormwater.

While the chief benefit is its pollution reduction, there’s plenty more upside to using pervious concrete. Reducing surface water means fewer puddles and – in colder climates – fewer icy spots in the cold winter months. Conversely, its light color reduces the amount of heat stored, thus maintaining a lower surface temperature than standard concrete. That means safer walkways and driveways all year.

Pervious concrete is also better for surrounding landscaping, like grass and trees. When the water seeps back into the ground, it supplies the surrounding root systems with valuable water that it would not otherwise get.

 

Where can pervious concrete be used?

Pervious concrete has been most widely used as a pavement material, so concrete contractors are increasingly using it for driveways and walkways. However, it’s worth noting that because of its porous construction, pervious concrete will potentially degrade faster in high-traffic areas.

Don’t let that be a deterrent for you, though. The benefits of using pervious concrete far outweigh the drawbacks. In fact, many cities and towns throughout the United States have begun utilizing pervious concrete for their municipally-owned areas like parks, parking lots, and public walkways.

That it reduces the amount of water and ice that can form at the surface has made pervious concrete an appealing option for roadways as well. Reducing the number of accidents caused by hydroplaning through water or losing control on ice is an immediate benefit to any public roadway.

Keep in mind that there is a bit of maintenance that comes with using pervious concrete. Regular cleaning of the area helps the concrete maintain those voids that allow water to pass through. Again, the long-term benefits of going with pervious concrete for your driveway or walkway should outweigh any drawbacks.

If you’re interested in further exploring pervious concrete, talk to your concrete contractor or concrete company about it. They can help you decide if it’s viable for your specific use case and help you weigh the benefits of pervious concrete versus other options that are available.