What material do i use to build my patio?
Question:i have a 8x 10 peice of my yard that i would like to put a patio on. the only problem is that it retains water no matter which way i slope it. if its level or sloped either way it holds water. what should i do about the water and what material should i use to build my pation i was thinking either concrete or paver. your suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Answers:
I would suggest concrete. You may have to install a drainage system in a corner of the patio and have the patio sloped slightly toward the drain to avoid a big puddle of water in the middle of your patio. You can also stain the concrete or use concrete forms to make patterns in the concrete to make it look more interesting. If you use pavers, you run the risk of them getting washed away or moving around. Plus, with pavers, you need a filler, like river rocks or pebbles, and you will find yourself constantly replenishing the rocks, as they will get washed away.
Maybe you should consider a deck, even a couple of inches off the ground solves lots of problems
i know that you need some cement that all i know
First a deck would solve your problem but you gotta place the joists raised off the ground with regular cinder blocks or bricks. For your decking and joists i suggest pressure treated pine. Then it couldn't hurt to use a coat of Thompsons Water Sealant for extra protection
If you use concrete on a wet patch of ground, it's going to crack as the ground moves under it. Big Question: does the ground freeze where you live? If so, that concrete's not going to last without a lot of preparation.
You would need to dig a bit, add gravel and install drainpipe to allow the water to get out. If your ground freezes, you should go with pavers so that you can pull them up and re-level them every couple of years.
If you really want concrete, get an estimate from a licensed contractor. He might just tell you right away that the land is not suitable for concrete.
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