patios: Articles tagged with “patios”

If you are retired, travel frequently, or simply don't enjoy doing yard work, a small, low maintenance patio is a good solution for you. Small doesn't have to mean dull and uninteresting. A well-designed patio, no matter how small, can be a fun escape from indoors.

This information can clarify and help answer questions about common patio problems.

A patio at its most basic is an outdoor courtyard or paved open area such as a porch that's attached to the home, which can be made with concrete, brick or many other materials. If you patio is showing signs of wear and tear -- crumbling cement or masonry work, water damage or separation from the home, a service professional can best repair the damage.

Q: I would like to know if there is an inexpensive, relatively uncomplicated solution to our outdoor patio slab. It is an exposed rock concrete slab approximately 40x25 feet that is uncomfortable to walk on in bare feet and not very practical for our purposes. Is it possible to put a layer of brick, concrete or something else over the existing patio slab without ripping the entire thing out and starting from scratch? I would prefer just a regular smooth concrete slab. There is no cover and it is exposed to the elements.

Q: Is it advisable to pour a three or four inch patio on top of an existing one or is it necessary to remove it first? Pouring on top of the existing patio would not only be cheaper but it would also provide a raised border around the flower beds. Also, no doors or gates would be affected by the additional height of the patio.

Q: I have mud stains on my concrete patio. I have tried washing them off with water and a bristle brush to no avail. I was going to try a steel brush, but I didn't want to score the concrete and the area is quite large. Do you know of an easier way to approach this?