Patio Construction Richmond VA is an important step in transforming your outdoor space. When you have a good concrete contractor, the process can be quick, quiet, and cost-effective.

The size and complexity of the patio will influence its construction timeline. Additional features like a fire pit or an outdoor kitchen may add time to the project as well.

A patio is a paved outdoor area adjoining a house at ground level, usually used for dining or recreation. Patios are constructed in a variety of materials including concrete, stone, brick or pavers and may be decorated with plants and outdoor furniture.

Similar to a porch, it is important to have the patio site fully prepared before any construction begins. The site will need to be leveled and any existing trees, bushes or plants removed. It is also recommended to have a locate done to ensure that the new patio doesn’t interfere with any underground utilities.

Once the site has been prepped, it is time to start laying the base. A layer of crusher run (also known as hard pack, processed gravel or road pack) is laid for the base. A rule of thumb that works well for us is a cubic yard of crushed rock will supply 80 square feet at 3 inches thick unpacked. A 1-inch-deep layer of coarse or concrete sand is then spread over the top of the base and screeded to create a perfectly level surface.

The pavers are then positioned to form the desired patio shape. The gap between each paver is filled with course washed concrete sand or we recommend using a polymeric jointing sand such as Techniseal NextGel and swept clean. Once the patio is positioned and sanded, a plate compactor is used to tamp down the pavers and then a hose is used to water in the sand/poly sand.

Marking

A patio is a paved outdoor area adjoining the house at ground level, often used for dining. It’s usually constructed from concrete, bricks or cobblestones. Patios are typically surrounded by lush landscaping and can be decorated with outdoor furniture.

Patios are a great way to extend living space into the backyard, but homeowners can go even further and create a multi-leveled outdoor entertaining area complete with a fire pit, multiple walkways and a hot tub. These features, however, add time and cost to the project.

In order to get your backyard project started, it’s important that you mark where your patio will be located. Use marking spray paint to outline the layout, following your drawn up plan. Once you’ve marked out your patio, it’s also a good idea to request a locate of underground facilities as this will prevent costly mistakes in the future.

A protractor and a carpenter’s square will help you make sure that your corners are straight, as well as ensure that the angles between your blocks are correct. An angle scribe is also a handy tool to have for reproducing specific angles and cutting pavers or blocks precisely for your patio construction. This will ensure that your new outdoor space is perfect and will look flawless once it’s finished. Using the right tools will save you time, money and headaches in the long run.

Excavation

The patio construction process typically begins with excavating the site. Depending on the design of your patio, this may require digging down to at least 8 inches for a paver base or 6 inches for a poured concrete slab. In some cases, builders also need to slope the area away from the house. This is to ensure that all water drains from the patio, avoiding the potential for flood damage.

When digging, professionals take care not to disrupt any underground utilities, such as water lines, gas pipes or electrical wires. Before starting excavation, they notify the local utility company through a free service called 811. They then wait for workers to mark the underground utilities with paint or flags before beginning to dig.

During the excavation process, builders remove any large rocks or tree roots from the patio site. They also use a plate compactor to compact the soil as they go. This is important, as a poorly-compacted soil will undermine the strength and stability of the new patio.

During the excavation phase, professionals also determine what type of base material will be used for the patio. They can choose from several options, including crushed granite, decomposed granite or gravel. Before adding the base material, they tamp it down with a hand or power tamper. This helps to achieve a level surface and reduce the amount of future maintenance required for the patio.

Pouring the Sub-Base

When laying paving, the sub-base is a very important part of the overall project. Without a good sub-base, paving can move and cause damage over time. This is especially true if the material used is not of sufficient quality.

The correct sub-base layer is strong enough to support the load of vehicles and pedestrians over a long period. It will also help to avoid water pooling beneath the paving. The sub-base should be a crushed stone type that is certified as MOT Type 1 (or DTP1 for short). This is an angular material which will lock together when compacted, making it a stable base to support the paving.

Once the soil has been dug and leveled, a layer of MOT Type 1 should be laid over it. This should be tamped down to compact it. This can be done with a hand tamper or with a power tamper. The sub-base should then be checked and leveled. It should be made to slope away from any buildings, as this will prevent water from splashing onto the paving and potentially causing damage.

When choosing a concrete contractor to work on your patio, always check out their credentials. A good company will have a portfolio of past projects that you can look through. You should also make sure that they are insured and licensed. If they don’t, it could be a sign of poor workmanship.

Pouring the Concrete

Patios come in many different shapes, sizes, and styles. Some are free standing, while others are part of a house or deck. They can be built of concrete, wood, or a combination of materials. The type of material determines the construction process, cost and longevity of the patio.

Before the concrete is poured, a layer of leveling sand is spread over the excavation site. This helps the patio to maintain its shape and prevents weed growth. The sand is often mixed with a small amount of water to make it easier to work with.

Once the sand is leveled, the pour frame is set into place. The builders may use a special spray to ensure that the frame is securely set. They also spray a release agent on the frame to ensure that it can be removed without damaging the concrete.

A small amount of concrete mix is then poured into the form. This is usually a standard patio mix with 3,000 pounds per square inch (psi). For foundations, however, it’s important to use stronger concrete at 3,500 or more psi.

Once the concrete is poured, it’s smoothed out with a magnesium hand float and swept to create a nice, even surface. It’s also grooved every 4 to 6 feet for control joints. These allow the concrete to expand and contract with temperature changes, preventing surface cracks. The builder will then use a broom to remove any remaining sand and dirt from the surface of the concrete.

Dry Laying

A dry-laid patio involves no concrete slab base and instead relies on compacted layers of gravel as a foundation for the stones. The spaces between the stones are filled with traditional sand for a more natural look or polymeric sand for more durability and ease of maintenance. While not as stable as a mortar-set patio, the gravel base is often easier to install and less expensive than the concrete pad required by a wet-laid installation.

Once the gravel base has been spread, a layer of builder’s sand is placed over it and screeded to create a perfectly level surface. A garden hose is used to wet the sand, which helps it settle and creates a strong, solid base for the flagstone pavers to be laid on top of.

Then, starting on one side of the patio, stones are placed and tamped down using a plate compactor or rented hand tamper. The patio stones should be as close together as possible. Large gaps between the stones will allow weeds to grow and can also make the surface uneven.

This is a critical stage of the process, as the masons must ensure that the stones are all matched and fit together properly. During this phase, the masons conduct final quality control and photos of each stone to identify their visual/physical status and selection and record this information on the stones before they are packed for shipment.