A concrete mixer is a necessary machine to mix the perfect batch of concrete. A trendy choice to complement suburban backyards nowadays is to make use of concrete architecture, elevating your outdoor recreational spaces.

 

In this article, we outline what it takes to make a concrete patio. First, we will explain why a concrete mixer is necessary to make a concrete patio; next, we go through some design choices to refine your backyard with your brand-new patio. If this is something that interests you, continue reading to find out more.

 

Why Is A Mixer Is Necessary To Build A Patio

 

To build a concrete patio you need to mix and pour concrete into a slab. Concrete is mixed with cement, water and other aggregates such as sand, stones or gravel. A mixer makes the process easier and more efficient. You will save both time and labour by incorporating a mixer into your construction projects.

 

BS Power has a range of concrete mixers that you could easily use. They are simple machines with powerful characteristics. For more experienced DIYers, your next challenge could be to build your very own concrete patio and BS Power has all the tools you will need.

 

Concrete is a popular choice for patios as the material is cost effective, versatile and can withstand a variety of weather elements. Well-made concrete can also hold the weight of heavy furniture and external forces making it the ideal material for a backyard space. Of course, for concrete to be well-made it needs to be consistent, which can be more easily achieved with the help of a powered mixer. Concrete patios are also low maintenance. They are easy to clean and last incredibly long.

 

However, if a concrete patio has not been made well, the material could crack over time. To avoid this, you need to use a mixer to make a well-made slab that will not crack. Luckily for you, we will outline the necessary steps to make the perfect slab of concrete for your patio.

 

Mixers can additionally also be beneficial to your health and safety. Cement is a powder made out of chemicals and minerals. If you are hand mixing cement, you are at a higher risk of inhaling the particles even if you are wearing safety gear. Furthermore, the act of hand mixing cement is extremely laborious and can cause back or muscle injury if not done correctly.

 

With a concrete mixer, you reduce the risk of contact with the product and your body is protected from the harsh labour of mixing concrete.

 

 

How To Make A Concrete Patio

 

Before you start building your concrete patio, you need to gather your tools, materials and equipment. You want to make sure you have everything gathered before you begin your project, there is nothing worse than being ready for the next step but then you realise that you do not have what you need to complete it efficiently. This might lead you to try another way or cut out the step completely and can result in a poorly made concrete slab.

 

What You Need

 

You are going to have to build a frame to make a concrete slab. Following we outline the tools, materials and equipment you will need to build the frame and pour the concrete.

 

The Tools

 

The tools you will need include a measuring tape, a shovel, a wheelbarrow, a hand saw, at least a metre long level tool, a hammer, a drill, a trowel, a rake and a broom.

 

The Materials

 

The materials you will need include: 10×20 cm wooden beams to make the frame for your slab – you want to have your slab frame measurements to make sure you have enough wood to build the frame – wooden stakes, screws to assemble your frame, enough bags of cement, sand and water to mix your concrete, crushed stone, spray paint and string. The equipment you will need is a portable concrete mixer and a masonry cut-off saw.

 

Step 1: Measuring The Project Site

 

At first, you need to know the measurement that you would like your concrete patio to be. Once you are settled on the size of your slab, you will begin by marking off your work area with string, stakes, and spray paint. This is where your concrete patio will be, so be sure that you are happy with your allocated areas.

 

Use your measuring tape to mark out the area at least 50 cm wider than what your frame will be. With your shovel, excavate the demarcated area. You should aim to go 15cm-20cm into the sod and soil. Try to make the surface as even as possible by using your level.

 

Step 2: Building The Frame

 

Next, you begin to assemble your frame. Join your wooden beams together with your drill and screws. The frame should be square or rectangular. It is also best practice to use a water level to make sure that the height of the frame is equal all around in order to avoid building an uneven surface.

 

Pound a stake into the ground with your hammer at each corner of the frame to keep it in place. Use your string to link each stake to each other to ensure that you have placed your lumber straight. You need to ensure your frame is level to the ground so use your level tool to ensure that it is placed correctly.

 

Step 3: Lay The Foundation

 

Once you are certain your frame is secure you can add your crushed stone into the open space on the floor. Shovel in crushed stone in your excavated space within the frame. The depth of the stone will be the depth of your concrete patio. Fill up as much as you need and try to keep the stones even; you can use your rake to spread out the stones evenly.

 

Step 4: Making The Concrete

 

You can begin to make your concrete with the cement, the sand and water. Measure out all the materials you need and then make your concrete in the mixer. Before you put your materials in your mixer, make sure you have measured correctly and that you understand how your machine works.

 

Your mixture should be the consistency of stiff cake batter and uniform throughout. A concrete mixer ensures that the mixture is consistent. Once you have made your concrete you can pour it into your wheelbarrow and fill up your frame.

 

Step 5: Pour The Concrete

 

Fill the frame with concrete then you can use a piece of straight wood to even out the surface. Let the concrete dry for a while until the surface water evaporates but the concrete itself is still soft. At this point, you can smooth the surface with a trowel. If you would prefer a rough textured surface, you can use a broom to lightly texturize the surface by running it over the top.

 

Step 6: Let The Concrete Rest

 

After three days the concrete will have hardened and you can remove your frame. Remove the stakes and the screws from the corners to reveal your perfect slab. You can refill your excavated area around the frame with soil or with decorative stone.

 

The Ideal Time To Make A Concrete Slab

 

Weather plays an important part in choosing when to make your concrete slab. You don’t want to use your concrete mixer in the pouring rain as this could compromise the batch of concrete, but at the same time, you don’t want the beating sun on your drying concrete as this can lead to cracks.

 

The ideal temperature should be between 5°C and 32°C, with little to no rain. In winter, you may opt to pour your concrete in the early morning on a day with no rain and in summer, you can pour it in the afternoon once temperatures are decreasing.

 

Outdoor projects require great planning to ensure the quality of your product and maintenance of your equipment and materials. You would not want your cement to get damp in the bags as this would compromise your product. You also do not want your concrete mixer to get wet and have the engine potentially ruined. Do your research on the weather conditions prior to starting your project.

 

What You Can Do With A Concrete Patio

 

Concrete patios are a blank canvas that you can make into your own unique space. With your personal style, you can decorate with planters, cosy furniture and outdoor lighting to make your backyard an oasis. A patio is the perfect place to have a braai stand and host backyard gatherings. You can add fairy lights to the trim of your house and nearby trees in your backyard to add a feeling of warmth. You can also invest in an outdoor heater to warm up the area when necessary.

 

Rugs aren’t only decorative items for the inside of your home. After adding a comfy couch on your patio, you can place a large outdoor rug on the cement to add to the cosy feeling. Adding a pop of colour with a beautiful carpet is a great way to make the space chic. You can make your own gazebo or canopy to provide shade over your patio for summer days to shade the sun or rainy days to shelter from rain. This lets you use your backyard more, regardless of the weather. Can you imagine it? Having an outdoor lounge area right in your backyard would be fantastic.

 

Adding plants to your patio is a must. Plants are a great and affordable way to decorate your lush patio. You can keep a boxed herb garden to grow your own herbs to add to your delicious dishes in the kitchen. Gardening is a great hobby to destress and make something beautiful. You could add vines against the wall of your home alongside the patio to make a statement garden wall.

 

The best thing about being a DIYer is that you get to choose your own designs and aesthetic for your space. You can choose a colour scheme that works for the overall aesthetic of your home to make a beautiful and cohesive patio. There are endless patio designs that you can make your own with a little bit of creativity.

 

 

About BS Power

 

BS Power is a leading and trustworthy equipment supplier. We supply agricultural, construction, forestry and a range of other professional equipment. We are a South African company but are able to assist neighbouring Southern African countries. We aim to deliver the best solution to your project’s needs. Our team of professionals have extensive experience to help you reach your construction goals. Visit our website to look through our catalogue to see how we can help you.