Thinking of pouring a concrete patio on my own. Doable?

[clovergamecock]

Hey guys!

I would like to put a patio off my back steps and not sure if this is something I can do or do some of to save some money. I have a Kubota 2800 4x4 with a bucket and a box blade. The yard has a slope to it so I am not sure how to account for that. Is there a site that I can reference that will show me the steps to do this? Anyone done something similar? Pictures?


Thanks
Wade

 

[Welshman]

How big of a patio, and how much slope? (I know - questions not answers )

 

[CurlyDave]

1. You can certainly do all the prep work, forming, and rebar placement yourself. I would strongly advise hiring a professional finisher to get the slab surface smooth during the pour itself. There are lots of threads on this.

2. Interface with the back steps has some particular places which require great care. In most places, building codes require steps to be of equal height +/- about 1/4".

Just pouring a slab next to your stairs will probably leave that first step out of tolerance. Not the biggest deal that has ever happened, but if you ever sell your house, a home inspector will catch this obvious problem, and the buyer will use it to beat you like a drum on price.

Excavate and get the grade to exactly the right position, or rework all of the stairs.

As Welshman asks, how big and how much slope?

 

[Deere Dude]

I would consider finding someone who has done that stuff a few times and have him help you with pouring and finishing it. Then the next time you do it you can do it yourself.

 

[clovergamecock]

Thanks guys! I am not sure of the size yet. I want it fairly large to accomodate a grill table chairs , trelace etc. I am not in a neighborhood so I am not restricted on size. The slope is not from the steps out. If you are looking at the back steps the ground slopes to the left. If I had to guess maybe 15 degress????

I am either thinking about doing this or doing a ground level deck. But that would be another first time project to figure out...

Wade

 

[Egon]

Have you considered paving blocks?

 

[KennyG]

Have you considered paving blocks?

I was about to suggest the same thing. Takes some time but not hard to do. In my opinion looks 100% better.

 

[moored4]

Other than size and amount of slop the question I have is what experience do you have. If you sit at a desk and don't own more than 1 screw driver and maybe a hammer then I would suggest you get help! We on TBN will be glad to advise you and help but if you have done other projects, then a concrete, wood deck, or flagstone patio or all do able options! :thumbsup:

 

[KYDan]

There are a lot of things to consider before a project like this. How much dirt do you have to move? Is any of the area going to be fill? How easy will it be for a concrete truck to access it? What is your budget? And, there are a whole lot more. I poured a slab on a hill behind my house some years ago that was 12 X 20 and used 9 cubic yards of concrete and it took me and a helper all day to pour, float and finish it. I finished the top dressing about 3 AM. It was about a 15 hour job and very hard work. I suggest you search the internet for do it yourself books or articles that will provide you with a lot of good information. It is a very doable and satisfying project if done right. After 15 years I had a professional concrete company come out and pour a 4" overlay and stamp and color it. It looks like slate now and should last the rest of my life. I didn't want to tackle that as a do it myself project. Concrete work is very labor intensive, hard work.

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Curlydave raised what is probably the most important issue - finishing. Anyone can pour concrete, but finishing takes knowledge and SKILL. It may look easy, but to do it correctly is a lot harder than it looks.