Prep the ground by removing plant life and smoothing the soil

• Begin by removing any existing patio material and grass. Make sure to remove all tree roots, plants and sod within the area you intend to pave—you want to start with a clean slate.
• Use a shovel to level the ground and push away any rocks, weeds or other obstructions from the ground you’re paving. If necessary use a jackhammer or sledge hammer to break up existing concrete slabs for removal (or for reuse).
• Using a 2″x4″ board as a screed, check your soil’s moisture content before laying your concrete slabs by pressing it into the dirt and pulling it back out; if your soil is too wet there will be clumps stuck to the bottom of the board when you pull it out, which means your soil is not ready yet; if no clumps stick after you pull the board out then your soil is good-to-go.

Dig to the depth specified by your base material. For example, gravel is recommended to be 4-6 inches deep

In order to properly prepare the site for a concrete patio, you need to dig out the ground down to where you will be placing your base material. This will ensure that the ground is even and compacted. The depth that you need to dig out is based on the thickness of your gravel and concrete. Since most gravel is sold in one-inch increments, it’s usually not an issue as long as you stick with 4, 5 or 6 inches of gravel under your slab. Your concrete should be at least 4 inches thick. Thus, if you are using a 4-inch layer of gravel and a 4-inch layer of concrete, you should dig out the earth 8 inches from its original level.

In order to know how far down to dig out the earth from its original level, use a shovel and level on which ever side has the highest elevation of dirt in relation to where it needs to be. Measure down 8 inches from this measurement (or whatever depth is best for your project) on all sides of your planned patio area so that all four sides will have consistent measurements for digging. Digging out more than necessary around the perimeter is better than digging too little because you can always remove excess dirt later but if there is not enough room for all your base material then it could cause problems later on in the process when leveling off soil or laying down pavers so err on the safe side when deciding how much soil needs to be removed.

Add 2 inches of gravel, then compact it with a plate compactor

• Add 2 inches of gravel, then compact it with a plate compactor. Compacting the gravel ensures that your patio will be level and stable. Use a plate compactor to ensure the best result.
• To use a plate compactor, start by turning it on and filling it with fuel (if necessary). Then, start walking slowly across the gravel. You may need to make several passes to fully compact the gravel.

Add more gravel and compact until you reach the desired depth.

Add more gravel and compact until you reach the desired depth.

The depth of gravel needed depends on the base material. Typically, a minimum of 4 inches will do. The gravel layer should be compacted so it will not shift over time. Use a hand tamper or mechanical compactor to tamp down the excavated area before adding the gravel, and then use your hand tamper again after you finish spreading the gravel out.

Make a wooden frame to hold the concrete in place.

The next step is to make a wooden frame. To do this, you’ll need to cut and assemble four pieces of lumber that are the exact length of your patio’s perimeter. Once you’ve attached these pieces together with nails, you’ll want to check that the corners form perfect right angles. You can use a speed square or framing square for this purpose (a standard carpenter’s square will also work). If all four corners measure 90 degrees, then your frame is perfectly square. Next, use a flat board and a level to check if the surface on which your frame sits is perfectly level. If it isn’t, place thin pieces of wood under one side until it is.

Finally, before pouring concrete into the frame, check its rigidity by pushing down on each corner; if it gives at all when pushed upon, then it needs additional support in order to hold up against the weight of the concrete itself.

Pour concrete into the frame and smooth it with a trowel. A stiff broom can also be used to create trowel marks.

If you plan a do-it-yourself project to lay a concrete patio slab, this is the tutorial for you. Begin by gathering your tools and materials:

• Shovel
• Concrete mix
• Rake
• Level
• Trowel (or stiff broom)
• Weeding tool (for screeding)

Let the concrete cure before use. To make sure it cures evenly, wet the concrete overnight during hot or windy weather.

In order to ensure that they are strong enough, the slabs need to dry slowly. If it is hot or windy outside, cover the concrete with plastic for a day or two until only the surface is wet. You can then remove the plastic and let your concrete patio cure under open skies overnight for at least a week.

A patio is a great way to expand your living space, but use caution when working with concrete.

As you may already know, a patio is a great way to expand your living space, but use caution when working with concrete. Concrete can cause serious skin burns and should not be used near open flames or sparks. The drying process may produce fumes that are hazardous to breathe. Concrete is heavy and wheelbarrow movement may cause back injuries; plan accordingly for lifting help if necessary (see page 4).

Concrete is a permanent structure that cannot be moved easily once it has been poured into the form. It can settle or crack over time and will require repair if this occurs. If you change your mind about the location of the patio slab, you will need to saw cut and break up the slab before removing it from the area.Prep the ground by removing plant life and smoothing the soil

Begin by removing any existing patio material and grass. Make sure to remove all tree roots, plants and sod within the area you intend to pave—you want to start with a clean slate.

Use a shovel to level the ground and push away any rocks, weeds or other obstructions from the ground you’re paving. If necessary use a jackhammer or sledge hammer to break up existing concrete slabs for removal (or for reuse).

Using a 2″x4″ board as a screed, check your soil’s moisture content before laying your concrete slabs by pressing it into the dirt and pulling it back out; if your soil is too wet there will be clumps stuck to the bottom of the board when you pull it out, which means your soil is not ready yet; if no clumps stick after you pull the board out then your soil is good-to-go.

Dig to the depth specified by your base material. For example, gravel is recommended to be 4-6 inches deep

In order to properly prepare the site for a concrete patio, you need to dig out the ground down to where you will be placing your base material. This will ensure that the ground is even and compacted. The depth that you need to dig out is based on the thickness of your gravel and concrete. Since most gravel is sold in one-inch increments, it’s usually not an issue as long as you stick with 4, 5 or 6 inches of gravel under your slab. Your concrete should be at least 4 inches thick. Thus, if you are using a 4-inch layer of gravel and a 4-inch layer of concrete, you should dig out the earth 8 inches from its original level.

In order to know how far down to dig out the earth from its original level, use a shovel and level on which ever side has the highest elevation of dirt in relation to where it needs to be. Measure down 8 inches from this measurement (or whatever depth is best for your project) on all sides of your planned patio area so that all four sides will have consistent measurements for digging. Digging out more than necessary around the perimeter is better than digging too little because you can always remove excess dirt later but if there is not enough room for all your base material then it could cause problems later on in the process when leveling off soil or laying down pavers so err on the safe side when deciding how much soil needs to be removed.

Add 2 inches of gravel, then compact it with a plate compactor

Add 2 inches of gravel, then compact it with a plate compactor. Compacting the gravel ensures that your patio will be level and stable. Use a plate compactor to ensure the best result.

To use a plate compactor, start by turning it on and filling it with fuel (if necessary). Then, start walking slowly across the gravel. You may need to make several passes to fully compact the gravel.

Add more gravel and compact until you reach the desired depth.

Add more gravel and compact until you reach the desired depth.

The depth of gravel needed depends on the base material. Typically, a minimum of 4 inches will do. The gravel layer should be compacted so it will not shift over time. Use a hand tamper or mechanical compactor to tamp down the excavated area before adding the gravel, and then use your hand tamper again after you finish spreading the gravel out.

Make a wooden frame to hold the concrete in place.

The next step is to make a wooden frame. To do this, you’ll need to cut and assemble four pieces of lumber that are the exact length of your patio’s perimeter. Once you’ve attached these pieces together with nails, you’ll want to check that the corners form perfect right angles. You can use a speed square or framing square for this purpose (a standard carpenter’s square will also work). If all four corners measure 90 degrees, then your frame is perfectly square. Next, use a flat board and a level to check if the surface on which your frame sits is perfectly level. If it isn’t, place thin pieces of wood under one side until it is.

Finally, before pouring concrete into the frame, check its rigidity by pushing down on each corner; if it gives at all when pushed upon, then it needs additional support in order to hold up against the weight of the concrete itself.

Pour concrete into the frame and smooth it with a trowel. A stiff broom can also be used to create trowel marks.

If you plan a do-it-yourself project to lay a concrete patio slab, this is the tutorial for you. Begin by gathering your tools and materials:

Shovel

Concrete mix

Rake

Level

Trowel (or stiff broom)

Weeding tool (for screeding)

Let the concrete cure before use. To make sure it cures evenly, wet the concrete overnight during hot or windy weather.

In order to ensure that they are strong enough, the slabs need to dry slowly. If it is hot or windy outside, cover the concrete with plastic for a day or two until only the surface is wet. You can then remove the plastic and let your concrete patio cure under open skies overnight for at least a week.

A patio is a great way to expand your living space, but use caution when working with concrete.

As you may already know, a patio is a great way to expand your living space, but use caution when working with concrete. Concrete can cause serious skin burns and should not be used near open flames or sparks. The drying process may produce fumes that are hazardous to breathe. Concrete is heavy and wheelbarrow movement may cause back injuries; plan accordingly for lifting help if necessary (see page 4).

Concrete is a permanent structure that cannot be moved easily once it has been poured into the form. It can settle or crack over time and will require repair if this occurs. If you change your mind about the location of the patio slab, you will need to saw cut and break up the slab before removing it from the area.