Damaged
or cracked patios are usually cut out and removed. The ground is
then re-graded to insure the correct gradients and wooden forms are
installed to contain the new concrete patio.
Then the reinforcing steel is installed in a checkerboard design,
usually at 24 inch intervals to provide reinforcing strength. The
steel is placed on plastic or steel chairs that keep them about 1.5”
off the ground. Standard concrete with a 3000 PSI compressive
strength @ 28 days is then poured. normally at a 4 inch thickness.
With the larger patios we recommend a reinforcing beam structure.
For the medium size patio a perimeter beam alone will suffice. For
the larger patios we recommend at least one cross beam thru the
center in addition to the perimeter beam. These steel reinforced,
concrete beams generally have a 6 inch width and a 8 inch depth.
Since the patios do not bear a great deal of weight it is sometimes
possible to repair a cracked patio with a 1.5” to 2” cover of new
concrete. This process, commonly referred to as “floating” is
significantly more economical than removing the old and installing
new concrete.
