How do I lay a cement patio in my backyard?

Question

Ok here is the deal. We fenced in the back yard 2 years ago. Now I want to cement part of the yard so I can have a place to put the grill and the table. The backyard is very unlevel and everytime you go out there and clean up you always find glass like someone just broke glass out there for fun. I dont know but I want to allow my 2 year old to go out and play while we hang out in the backyard without running the risk of getting cut by glass. I also want to build a sandbox for him in the middle of the walkway...so what do I have to do???

Answer 1

First of all it's concrete, cement is a chemical added with sand, arrogate (stone), and water to make concrete. Second, pouring concrete should be left to the professionals because it does get hard, quickly. Hire a contractor.

Answer 2

With all due respect; it's possible you won't effect change in the bottle throwing by POURING a slab. Why not do a raised deck area that will not only support a Grille, but a sand box, table and chairs, etc., and then continue to investigate the malicious nature of the broken glass?

A slab as you suggest need not be more than 4 inches thick at a level ground situation, but NOT level would mean you'd have to frame a slab area for the grade of the location,,,or grade the property away from the slab to cause it to be level. ADDING or subtracting to/from the DIRT.

A slab might only ADD to more broken glass and danger for your child. Without knowing any details about the location of the glass,,,IE: from over a neighbors fence, I suggest a raised deck away from that usual area, and certainly monitor the issue, and perhaps get law enforcement involved.

Steven Wolf

Answer 3

GO TO LOWES BUY YOU 4 PIECES OF LUMBER 2X4 ON THE SIZE YOU WANT .LAT THE LUMBER OUT FOR THAT SIZE .TAP DOWN 1X1 PIECES BEHIND THE BOARDS JUST BELOW THE 2X4,S NAIL TO 2X4.MAKE SURE YOU GET ANOTHER 2X4 LONGER THAT WHAT YOU ARE BUILDING SO YOU CAN GO BACK AND FORWARD TO LEVEL IT OUT.ANDTHEN CONCRETE COMPANY HOW BIG THE AREA IS AND THEY WILL TELL HOW MUCH YOU WILL NEED.AND GUEST WHAT ON LITTLE PROJECTS LIKE THIS THEY WILL MOST TIME HELP YOU.THESE GUYS ARE GREAT.

Answer 4

OK, first of all, ABSOLUTELY, DO NOT!! UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, put your ex husband/boyfriend under the cement, as this will cause the surface to be uneven.

I know it may not be much use to you, but this would be my priority to avoid nasty accidents .