Supplies to Build a Concrete Patio

Measuring Tools

• To determine the dimensions of your patio, you will require a basic tape measure. You will use this tape measure most in the early parts of the patio set-up process. With the tape measure, you can measure out your space, using these figures to determine how much concrete you will need to purchase.

Twine and Spikes

• To create a pattern for your patio, you will need twine and spikes. By placing the spikes in the ground around the perimeter of your planned patio and running the twine between them, you can get a preview of what the patio will look like. You can also use these pattern lines to better set up your brackets and ensure that your patio is exactly as you had planned it.

Gardening Basics

• Before you install your patio in the spot you've chosen, you will need to prepare the surface. This often includes removing any sizable lumps, as well as softening the soil so you can better level it. To do this, you will need a basic shovel and hoe, as well as a wheelbarrow into which you can place the soil you remove.

Tamper

• After removing the excess soil and leveling the ground, you must use a tamper to flatten the surface and prepare it for the concrete laying. This specialized piece of equipment contains a heavy drum that you run across the earth. Some tampers are manual and require extensive physical effort to operate, while others are mechanical, allowing you to flatten the ground with more ease. Because this piece of equipment is so specialized, you may simply wish to rent it instead of purchasing one.

Slab Bracket

• Prior to pouring your concrete, you must create a bracket into which the liquid concrete will flow. This bracket often contains wooden or metal boards, along with thick spikes that thrust into the ground to keep the bracket in place. You can either create your own bracketing system, using spikes and wood, or purchase a premade bracketing system specifically for this purpose.

Bull Float

• A bull float is another specialized piece of equipment that you will need to use during this process. This machine levels your concrete and, in many cases, places a pattern in the wet surface. Because bull floats are often highly expensive and only used with concrete, renting this piece of machinery is a wise choice.

Trowels

• You will also need to have an assortment of trowels on hand. You should procure a smoothing trowel, which you can use to correct any imperfections in the concrete, as well as an edging trowel, which you can use to create the smooth rounded edge you will likely desire on your patio.