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Can I pour my concrete patio floor directly over dirt?
Posted on 7/6/20 at 5:52 pm
Posted on 7/6/20 at 5:52 pm
Replacing an old patio deck with a concrete slab soon and I’d like to pour it directly onto the ground inside the frame.
Am I going to regret that or should I absolutely have a gravel base? I see conflicting info online.
Am I going to regret that or should I absolutely have a gravel base? I see conflicting info online.
7
Posted on 7/6/20 at 6:35 pm to TDsngumbo
In the few patios I’ve helped form and pour, no gravel was used. Just made sure to scalp/de-grass the area and poured over dirt. Buddy of mine is in commercial concrete, and he was the unwillingly assigned supervisor for our small patios. 
So I’d say that’s fine.
ETA: we tossed in some thin sheets of rebar before we poured.
So I’d say that’s fine.
ETA: we tossed in some thin sheets of rebar before we poured.
This post was edited on 7/6/20 at 6:36 pm
Posted on 7/6/20 at 6:40 pm to TDsngumbo
yes as long as it’s compacted
Posted on 7/6/20 at 7:41 pm to cgrand
Good, thank y’all. I’m gonna pack it down real good before. Was hoping that would be enough along with some thin rebar material.
This post was edited on 7/6/20 at 7:42 pm
Posted on 7/6/20 at 7:53 pm to TDsngumbo
I would put some visqueen under it just in case you ever decide to enclose it.
Posted on 7/6/20 at 10:49 pm to Hank R Hill
quote:Out of curiosity, what would the visqueen accomplish In this situation?
I would put some visqueen under it just in case you ever decide to enclose it.
Posted on 7/7/20 at 12:16 am to The Nino
Vapor barrier and it helps transfer any weight over a larger area lowering lb/sq in.
I would advise using a WOVEN weed barrier cloth instead of visqueen. Usually available from a nursery or garden center. It’s what is used under roadways.
Also reinforcement wire or light rebar to spread weight and avoid cracks.
I would advise using a WOVEN weed barrier cloth instead of visqueen. Usually available from a nursery or garden center. It’s what is used under roadways.
Also reinforcement wire or light rebar to spread weight and avoid cracks.
Posted on 7/7/20 at 7:29 am to The Nino
quote:
Out of curiosity, what would the visqueen accomplish In this situation?
Helps keep moisture from coming up through the slab from underneath.
Posted on 7/7/20 at 1:20 pm to TDsngumbo
What kind of dirt do you have? And how big of a slab are you talking? If you have crap clay, it's best to take the extra measure. I threw down cushion sand under mine, compacted it and poured the concrete. I doubled up the rebar in mine since I have crap black clay and I ordered way too much rebar anyways.
Posted on 7/7/20 at 3:33 pm to TDsngumbo
Are you doing this yourself? I have about a 20x20 wood deck that is at ground level and obviously rotting to shite. Was there when I bought the house. Have been thinking of just pulling it up and pouring a slab rather than building a new deck.
How much is this going to run you a sq ft?
How much is this going to run you a sq ft?
Posted on 7/7/20 at 7:04 pm to Lou the Jew from LSU
quote:
Lou the Jew from LSU
quote:
4WHLN
Posted on 7/7/20 at 8:36 pm to The Nino
It keeps ground moisture from coming up into the concrete. Also If there is too much moisture in the concrete flooring glues will not adhere properly. Same reason you put it under your house slab.
Posted on 7/8/20 at 10:21 am to Hank R Hill
Most slabs are poured over dirt with a couple inches of compacted sand to insure a uniform thickness throughout.
Typically the dirt is excavated a few inches below grade, then place sand, rake it even just a bit above grade then wet it so it compacts to grade.
Concrete over just dirt will have many hills and valleys.
Typically the dirt is excavated a few inches below grade, then place sand, rake it even just a bit above grade then wet it so it compacts to grade.
Concrete over just dirt will have many hills and valleys.
Posted on 7/9/20 at 12:40 am to TDsngumbo
Agree with just about everything stated above except I would add that it's probably a good idea to drill, sleeve and dowel into the existing slab so that if there is any movement, the new slab will move with the house slab.
Posted on 7/9/20 at 7:40 am to Hank R Hill
quote:
I would put some visqueen under it just in case you ever decide to enclose it.
Visqueen isn't a bad idea, but you can't just enclose an uncovered patio without proper footings in the slab. A patio is typically a 3.5" - 4" thick slab from edge to edge. You would need footings under any load-bearing posts or walls that could handle the ceiling & roof loads.
As ConstructionAg suggested, drill some dowels and use rebar (preferably with epoxy) in the existing slab. This will help prevent any movement and uneven shifting of the new slab.
Posted on 7/9/20 at 9:41 pm to TDsngumbo
Use plenty of lye to help the bodies decompose faster
Posted on 7/10/20 at 8:03 am to TDsngumbo
Yes to the visqueen, but if you think you will build on it later. like adding onto the house, maybe add footers.
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