| Patio and Deck: Evaluating the Situation |
| Patio and Deck: Evaluating the Situation |
From "Grounds for Improvement"
episode DGFI-103 |
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Nikki Zenk and Cedric Coant have done a lot of work to their bungalow-style home in a historic neighborhood, but all that work has been inside. With a sizable yard in a quiet neighborhood, they'd like to spend more time entertaining outside, but they are embarrassed by the condition of their patio. The Grounds for Improvement team, host Jackie Taylor and landscape designer Dean Hill, has come to change all that. By resurfacing the cement slab patio and adding a dining deck and some landscaped flowerbeds around the area, the homeowners are about to experience a backyard transformation of a lifetime -- and they'll be doing it themselves!
The total cost of materials was $5,000, but by doing it themselves (with the help of some energetic friends), Nikki and Cedric saved $2,000!Materials (Entire Project)
4 6x6x12 pressure-treated (PT) posts
6 6x5x8 PT posts
30 2x6x8 PT joists
20 2x4x8 cedar
240 sq. ft. Timbertech decking
250 sq. ft. flagstone
20 80-lb. bags mortar
2 80-lb. bags of masonry sand
1 1x8x8 cedar
1 1x6x8 cedar
1 5-lb. box of 2" galvanized deck screws
1 5-lb. box of 2 1/4" galvanized deck screws
32- 5/16" x 8" galvanized carriage bolts
10 bags Quickcrete
4 24" planter pots
2 12" planter pots Tools (Entire Project)
Pressure-washer
Sod cutter
Concrete saw
Gas posthole auger with 8: auger
Rototiller
Electric concrete mixer
Compressor
Circular saw
Table saw
Miter saw
Jigsaw
Cordless screwdrivers
Electric drill w/ wood auger
CO2 pneumatic nailer
4' level
2' level
Heavy spade
Shovels
Rakes (leaf and hard)
Wheelbarrows
Chalk line
Mortar trowels
Chisel/rock hammer
Hammer
Sledgehammer
Sponges
5 gallon bucket
Marking paint
Hose
Drill bits
Socket set
Ladder
Jackie and Dean have arrived at the house armed with a plan to give Nikki the entertainment area she craves and Cedric, who is a chef, a place to show off his culinary skills. They will address the following problems:
- The concrete slab is drab and unsightly.
- The area around the concrete slab is lacking any character.
- The yard is being underutilized.
The team will work with the homeowners and their friends to resurface the concrete patio with flagstone and build an adjacent dining deck. First things first, and that means washing the patio. The concrete slab behind the house has been painted several times over the years, so not only is it thick with grime, it also has a lot of paint chips. We have rented a gas-powered pressure-washer (figure A), and Dean points out to Nikki that pressure-washers like ours have several settings. Too much pressure can damage a surface, so it's important to read the manual before starting to use this piece of equipment. Finally, a section of the patio is cut out to extend the flowerbed (figure B). For this task Nikki uses a concrete saw and a sledgehammer, and she is careful to cover her arms, legs and eyes with appropriate protective gear.
RESOURCES :
Sealants
OSI Sealants, Inc.
Website: www.osisealants.com
QUIKRETE® Information
To obtain expert advice on Do-It-Yourself concrete projects, to inquire about specific QUIKRETE® products, to find out where to buy the products or to order product literature, please call 1-800-282-5828.
To easily calculate how much concrete you'll need for a job, click here.
The QUIKRETE® Companies
Website: www.quikrete.com
Ames True Temper Tools
Ames-True Temper
Website: www.ames-truetemper.com
Tools
Porter-Cable Corporation
Website: www.porter-cable.com
Grill
TEC Infra-Red Grills
Website: www.tecinfrared.com
TimberTech Decking
Website: www.timbertech.com
Irwin Industrial Tool Company
Website: www.irwin.com
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