The outdoor living space of your home is one of the nicest features of home ownership. Whether you’re enjoying dinner on your patio, hosting a barbeque, or watching your kids play on the lawn, the patio is the perfect setting for spending spring and summer evenings outdoors.
When your patio is in need of repair it can pose several hazards. Cracked concrete patios tipping towards your house can cause issues with rainwater runoff, and uneven brick pavers can cause fall hazards. It’s best to address these issues as soon as you see them, to avoid costly accidents or water problems around your home.
Depending on your comfort with do-it-yourself projects you may be able to make some repairs yourself, while others require a professional touch. What things should you consider when deciding what to do?
You can also add a fire pit table for not much more than the cost of a flimsy.
Are you satisfied with your current patio?
Are you happy with the size and shape of your current patio? If you are, and your patio is made of concrete slab, you may be able to salvage your patio by hiring a mudjacking contractor to shore up your patio. The contractor can lift the existing concrete, level it, fill in any gaps underneath, and seal it so that it looks great again.
If your patio is made of pavers, you can simply chip out the existing pavers, level the ground underneath, and replace them. This is something you can probably do yourself.
If you would like a patio that is differently shaped, larger, or made of a different material, it may be time to replace your patio. A road breaker hire can break up your concrete patio, leaving you with a fresh start for the patio of your dreams.
Do you have the time?
If you’ve decided that your patio definitely needs to be replaced, you need to consider the amount of time something like this will take. Building your concrete patio can take several days of work to prepare the foundation of the patio, and it’s something you don’t want to rush. Additionally, you may need some help from friends or family if this is a big job.
Pavers can take just as long, and you must be meticulous to ensure that each paver is set down level so that your patio is smooth when it is complete.
Do you have the tools?
Preparing the ground for a patio requires several tools. If you do a lot of home improvement projects you may already have many of these on hand, but some of the tools you might not have include things like a plate compactor or special concrete tools. You’ll have to decide if it’s worth it to purchase these for this project and if you’d save money doing it yourself over hiring a professional.
Whether you decide to build your own patio or go with a professional, updating or replacing your patio is one of the best ways you can get the most out of your outdoor living space. It’s well worth the investment to make the outside of your home an enjoyable and beautiful place to spend your time.
