What Are Some Things That I Should Know Before I Lay Concrete in My Backyard?

Preparation Is Required

• Before you pour concrete in your yard, you must properly prepare the site. The ground should be leveled and compacted to provide a solid foundation for the concrete, and you may also need to grade the area to ensure adequate drainage. If your yard has clay or another heavy type of soil, placing a 2-inch layer of gravel over the area also helps with drainage. Before pouring the concrete, you should also gather the proper tools so they are within easy reach once you begin the project. Rounded shovels and concrete rakes are essential, as are a wheelbarrow, push broom, hand float and jointing tool. Make sure that there is a clear path from the front of your property to the area in your yard where you plan to pour the concrete to provide an easy route for workers if you are having your concrete delivered.

Temperature Is Important

• When pouring concrete, the outside air temperature is extremely important. When it is hot, you must work quickly, because concrete hardens faster in higher temperatures. For the best results, aim to pour the concrete when the temperature is between 50 and 59 degrees Fahrenheit. You should also wait for a dry day, because moisture and humidity can affect the way that concrete hardens as well.

Not All Concrete Is the Same

• If you are pouring concrete for a small walkway or patio, you can mix your own. However, if you are working on a larger project, it is usually more convenient to have ready-mixed concrete delivered to your site. Be sure to order the right type of concrete, though. In most cases, a backyard project requires concrete that is between 4,000 and 4,500 pounds per square inch (psi) and has a 4.5-inch slump rating. The slump rating is a measure of the amount of water that is mixed in with the concrete. Concrete that has a high slump rating has a more watery consistency.

Reinforcement May Be Necessary

• When pouring concrete for a patio or driveway that may hold heavy objects such a barbecue grill or car, reinforcement may be necessary to ensure that the surface is strong enough. You can use steel bars or wire mesh to reinforce your concrete surface. Steel bars typically provide the strongest surface. Place them in a grid formation inside the concrete forms and atop a layer of flat rocks. Pour the concrete around the bars so the surface is reinforced through the center for the most stable and strong concrete structure possible.