Pouring Over Patio

Concrete is one of the most popular construction materials in the nation. It is strong, durable, and versatile enough to be used in many applications. Additionally, poured concrete can be made to have many different appearances, making it suitable for everything from sidewalks and roads to living room floors. One of the benefits of pouring concrete is that it can take whatever shape you want it to form. This makes it a perfect material for creating a flat, solid surface in almost any situation–even when poured over itself!

Pouring Concrete Patios
What's not to like about a concrete patio? They're inexpensive, low-maintenance, and in most cases, they are a viable option for households that want a little more outdoor living in their lives. They can be covered to be perfect for relaxing on a sunny summer day or fitted with a fireplace or stove to accommodate winter use. In the world of home improvement, poured concrete patios are also one of the more simple home improvement projects you can enter, as well.

Pouring concrete is not, however, completely fool-proof. If you mix it yourself, getting the right consistency can be difficult. Additionally, you have to worry about having the proper surface to pour your concrete upon. In many cases, you'll need to dig deeper than the actual thickness you want the concrete to be and create a gravel base. You may also want to add reinforcement (for a patio, wire mesh should be sufficient). Concrete can also be finished in several different ways, each of which can require some attention to detail.

Pouring Concrete Over an Existing Concrete Patio
There are several reasons why you may want to pour new concrete over an existing concrete patio. If you want to expand the size of your patio, make it higher, or create a different surface appearance, pouring concrete over the patio you already have is an option to consider. In almost every scenario, this will be much faster and far less expensive than removing the old patio and creating a new one from scratch.

It is fine to pour three to four inches, or even a thinner layer, of new concrete over an existing patio as long as you have enough room under any doors or gates surrounding the patio to allow them to open properly. To do the job well, it is a good idea to apply epoxy over the top of the original patio to create a membrane between the two layers of concrete. Also, the new concrete should be made with a higher sack mix and some fiber additive.

DIY Concrete Patios
Pouring concrete patios can get messy, but it is a job that, with a little research and some patience, many do-it-yourselfers might attempt themselves. Purchasing a ready-made concrete mix that requires adding only water can take some of the guesswork out of combining dry ingredients (though these mixes are too expensive for very large projects, for a patio, the convenience is probably worth the extra cost). You may also simply prepare the site and hire a cement mixer to come in and pour the concrete you need. Specialty concrete finishes can be a bit tricky–if you want a highly polished, stained, or stamped patio, you'll definitely need to call in a professional.

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