DIY Network

Stained Concrete Patio Pull up the pavers and install cool concrete. From "Yard Crashers" episode DYCR-105

These young homeowners tried to create their own patio space using regular pavers, but now they're ready to move up to the big leagues – and that means bringing in the pros. They help a professional team replace the loose pavers with a custom concrete patio with a rock-salt finish, then dress out the new landscape with some decorative fence screens and other finishing touches.

Before: Pavers and Plastic

After: Concrete and Coolness

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Stained concrete patio

NOTE: This project should be done by professionals. Before attempting to pump and install concrete, call a professional in your area.

Materials:

2x4s
bender board
wood stakes
hammers or mallets
rebar
rebar ties
pliers
shovels and picks
concrete finishing tools
powder concrete color- buff tan (various other colors available)
safety glasses
dust masks
rubber gloves
3/4" base rock
concrete (supplied and pumped by professionals)

• Excavate and prepare the area. Completely clear the area for the concrete, including the space for the concrete hose to reach the site. Remove any debris – in this project, the old paver patio – as well as plants, loose rocks and other items.

• Level the area. Concrete needs a level surface, so any mounds of dirt or dips in the ground need to be moved and filled. Since the base rock will fill in small gaps, the ground doesn't have to be completely level, just even.
  

  	Figure A
  	Figure B
  	Figure C
  	Figure D

• Build forms for patio area. Spray-paint an outline of the desired patio shape onto the ground and build a wooden form matching the outline. Since the patio for this project had dramatic curves, the crew used sturdy bender boards to capture the outline. Secure the forms with stakes pounded into the ground with about one foot between stakes (figure A).

• Spread the base rock. Concrete doesn't sit directly on dirt; it needs a layer of rock underneath. Spread a two- to three-inch layer of 3/4" base rock inside the concrete forms. Base rock compacts under pressure and makes a strong foundation for the concrete. For this project, the crew brought the base rock up to the bottom of the wooden concrete forms.

• Install rebar. Rebar makes concrete much stronger and keeps it from cracking over time – especially important in large areas of concrete such as a patio. Lay out the rebar in a grid patter, with one pole about every two to three feet (figure B). Use pliers and metal rebar ties to tie the rebar pieces together where they cross.

• Pump the concrete. The backyard in this project has easy access, so the concrete company was able to pump the concrete directly from the truck into the forms. If this isn't possible, the work crew would use wheelbarrows to bring the concrete back to the forms one load at a time. As concrete starts going into the forms, start moving it around in the space so that it fills the forms evenly.

• Float concrete. Using trowels and concrete floats, level out the concrete for a smooth surface (figure C).

• Add color. Powdered concrete color is an interesting and simple way to tint concrete. Once the concrete has dried slightly, begin tossing handfuls of color powder onto the concrete with a dice-throwing motion. Smooth the powder into the concrete using concrete floats.

  Safety Alert: Always wear safety glasses and a dust mask when working with powdered concrete color. Also, be sure to wear rubber gloves to prevent staining hands.

• Add salt finish. To add texture, throw mineral salt crystals in a pattern around the concrete, then press the salt into the concrete with a flat concrete hand tool. Let the salt sit overnight while the concrete sets. For this project, the crew used the salt finish around the edges of the patio but left the middle smooth (figure D).

• Remove the forms. Once the concrete is dry, carefully remove the concrete forms. Follow the supplier's instructions on how long to let the concrete set before removing the forms.

• Sweep away the salt. Sweep the salt from the concrete to reveal the porous texture left behind. Be sure to keep the salt away from plants.