How to Build a Concrete Patio Against a House

Drainage near the foundation is the main issue to resolve when building a concrete patio next to the house. Building codes recommend sloping away from the house at 5 percent, or 6 inches of drop over 10 feet, but patios need to be level to be functional. Without proper site preparation, patios have a tendency to slope toward the house over time, and poorly constructed concrete will crack to the point of deterioration, letting water underneath the structure. High quality preparation and construction will achieve the advantages of the concrete patio and keep the foundation dry.

Things You'll Need

Skid steer loader
Gravel, crush or road mix
Vibrating plate tamper

Laser level
Concrete, form, place and finish

Instructions

- 1
  Strip surface vegetation and excavate to desired levels, hand digging close to the house. Remove organic soil and replace with gravel to a depth of 4 inches minimum.
- 2
  Slope away from the house at 1 percent, or at least 1/4 inch per foot. Compact both ways with a vibrating plate tamper, taking a minimum of eight passes each way. The surface shouldn't move when walked on.
- 3
  Fill any open-textured areas or voids with fine material. Check the slope with a laser level and fine-tune the grade by cutting or filling as necessary. Ensure compaction is maintained.
- 4
  Reinforce concrete with mesh or reinforced steel bars (rebar) to specifications for the structure. Install expansion and contraction joints as required for the patio size. Use a broom or textured finish for the concrete surface.

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