How to Brace a Patio Cover

Set out the column bases in the dirt where the patio’s beams will be standing. Be sure to measure the exact placement accurately because it will be covered in cement.

Pour the cement into the patio base. Make sure the column bases stay upright as you smooth the cement over them with the trowel. The metal base of the column base should be flush with the surface of the cement. Allow the cement to dry for three to four days.

Drill holes into the bottom of the patio’s support beams so you can connect the beam to the column base with the bolts. Place the beam in the base and drill the holes into the beams through the holes in the column base to make sure the holes in the beam line up with the holes in the base. Drill the holes all the way through the beam.

Slide the bolt into the holes in the metal base and into the beam. Place a nut over the end of each bolt. Use a wrench to tighten the nut to the bolt in the beam and base. Repeat the process on all the patio’s support beams.