Concrete is among the most sought-after building materials used in the United States. It is durable, strong and versatile enough to be utilized in a variety of applications. Concrete can also be molded to give designs which makes it ideal for anything from sidewalks to roads to flooring for living spaces. One of the advantages to pouring it is it is able to take any shape you wish to take. This makes it the ideal material to make an uniform, solid surface for almost any application, even when it\’s poured directly over the top of itself!
Pouring Concrete Patios
What\’s not to love with concrete patios? They\’re affordable, low-maintenance and, in the majority of cases they\’re an excellent alternative for those who want an extra bit of outdoor living to their daily lives. They can be covered in order to be ideal for relaxing on a hot summer day or equipped with a stove or fireplace to make room for winter usage. In the realm that is home improvements, concrete patios are among of the simplest home improvement projects that you can undertake, in addition.
Pouring concrete isn\’t 100% foolproof, but it\’s not impossible to do so. When mixing it yourself, achieving the proper consistency may be challenging. Also, you need to ensure you have the correct base to pour the concrete on. In many instances you\’ll have to dig further than the thickness you would like the concrete to be to make a base of gravel. You might also need to build a reinforcement (for an outdoor deck, wire mesh would suffice). Concrete can be finished in various methods, each of which will require an concentration on the details.
Pouring Concrete on an Existing Concrete Patio
There are many reasons you might consider pouring new concrete on top of your existing concrete patio. If you\’re looking to increase the dimensions or size of the area, raise it more affluent, or even create an entirely different appearance to the surface and look, then pouring concrete over the existing patio could be a viable option. In nearly every case it will be cheaper and faster than taking the patio away and constructing a brand new one by starting from scratch.
It\’s okay to pour 3-4 inches or even a thin layer of concrete on an existing patio , as provided you have sufficient space under the gates or doors surrounding the patio for the doors to open correctly. In order to do this job properly it\’s a good idea to apply epoxy on the top layer of the original patio, creating a membrane between the two concrete layers. Additionally, the new concrete should be prepared using a more bag mix, and a fiber-based additives.
DIY Concrete Patios
Pouring concrete patios could be messy, but it\’s an undertaking which, with a bit of investigation and a little perseverance, many DIYers can attempt to do. Making a concrete mix that needs water will help take the guesswork from mixing dry materials (though they are expensive for large-scale projects such as a patio it\’s worth the additional cost). It is also possible to make the area ready and employ a cement mixer to arrive and pour the concrete you want. Concrete finishes that are special aren\’t easy to find if you\’re looking for a polished or stained patio, it is best to get an expert.