Concrete patio construction in Garden City KS - a slab sloped so rain runs off
Old patio cracked, sunk or holding water? We dig out and pack the base, then slope a new slab so rain runs off.
A concrete patio is flatwork, the trade's word for slabs that lie on the ground, like patios, driveways and concrete sidewalks. Most folks call us because the old one has cracked, dropped at a corner or holds water after a rain. I spent years patching slabs at rentals before I started this business, and that trouble almost always began underneath or with water, so that's where we put our time.
The price turns mostly on the size, how much digging and base work your yard needs, the finish you pick and how close the truck can get. The schedule turns on the permit, the utility locates and the weather around the pour. Your estimate spells out what we'll do, so you know what you're paying for before we start.
How we build a concrete patio
- I come out myself. I look at the job and ask how you'll use the patio, and our crew does the work with me on site. I've run this business since 2013.
- Base dug out and packed. We dig to firm ground and pack the subgrade, what the slab sits on, because a base that's only raked level settles and takes the slab down with it.
- Sloped so water runs off. We set a gentle fall away from the house so rain runs off the patio instead of sitting on it or heading toward your foundation.
- Finish picked for upkeep. We help you pick a finish by how much sealing you'll want to keep up with, whether that's a broom finish, brushed lightly so it isn't slick, or stamped concrete.
- Joints cut on time. We cut control joints, shallow grooves that give the slab a planned place to crack, early enough that any cracks follow the lines we chose.
- Licensed and insured on every job. We're fully licensed and insured, and every patio we build is backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
What goes wrong with old patios
| Problem | What it looks like | Usual fix |
|---|---|---|
| Settled or sunken slab | What it looks like: One corner or edge sits lower, and the slab tips or rocks. | Usual fix: Tear out, dig and pack the base, pour new. |
| Water pooling on top | What it looks like: Puddles sit for hours after rain, or water runs toward the house. | Usual fix: Reset the grade so the new slab slopes away. |
| Cracks in random places | What it looks like: Cracks wander across the slab instead of following the joint lines. | Usual fix: Replace with control joints cut early in planned spots. |
| Dusty, flaking surface | What it looks like: The top wears to powder or flakes off in patches. | Usual fix: Pour new in cooler hours and cure it right. |
Repair, extend or start over
- Patch and seal. Suits a slab that's still level and solid with a few narrow cracks, where filling and sealing them buys time without tearing anything out.
- Add onto it. Works when the old slab is flat and sound and you just want more room, so we pour a new section beside it with a joint between.
- Tear out and replace. The right call once the slab has sunk, tips toward the house or keeps cracking, because the trouble is underneath and a patch won't reach it.
How a patio job runs
- You call. You call or send the form, and I come out to look at the spot and ask what you want from the patio.
- Estimate that spells it out. Your estimate lays out the size, the base work, the slope and the finish, so you know what you're paying for before we start.
- Permit and locates. The city issues flat work permits for patios, and we'll pull yours or help you apply. We settle who calls in the utility locates before anyone digs.
- Pour, finish, cure. We pour and finish the slab, then let it cure, the wait while it gains strength, and tell you when it's ready for use.
- Walk-through and care. We walk the finished patio with you and go over how to look after it, including its first winter.
Keeping a concrete patio sound after we leave
A patio stays sound when water keeps moving off it and the finish gets the care it needs. Point downspouts away from the slab, keep the joints clear of dirt and weeds, and reseal on the schedule your finish calls for. Keep an eye on the edges, where water likes to get underneath.
We build patios for homeowners, landlords and small business owners in Garden City and the cities around it. The city's Building Inspections Division handles inspections across Garden City, Holcomb and Finney County, so the same office looks at your job either way. Call or send the form when you're ready for an estimate.
Tell us about your patio
Send your patio's rough size and the finish you want, or call. We reply within one business day and set a time for me to come out.
(620) 315-5440- Free estimate on site
- No obligation to go ahead
- Base, slope and finish spelled out
Patio questions we hear most
How much does a concrete patio cost in Garden City, KS?
Across the US, installing a plain broom-finish concrete patio usually costs about $6 to $12 per square foot. Size, extra base work, a decorative finish and a tight yard all move it, and your estimate spells out the price for your patio.
Which concrete patio finish needs the least upkeep?
A broom finish usually needs the least upkeep. One concrete contractor's comparison says exposed aggregate benefits from periodic sealing and stamped concrete needs the most consistent sealing, so a decorative finish means adding regular sealing to your plans. I'll go over that trade with you before you choose.
When is the best time to pour a concrete patio in Garden City?
Pick a stretch when freezing weather isn't likely soon after the pour, because industry guidance warns against outdoor concrete freezing while it's still saturated, so late fall, winter and early spring take care. For patios facing hard freeze and thaw, the same guidance calls for air-entrained concrete, a mix with tiny bubbles that give freezing water room.
How do I keep a new concrete patio from flaking in winter?
Keep water from sitting on it, since wet concrete that freezes and thaws is prone to surface damage, which is why concrete groups advise sloping the surface so water drains away. We slope the slab so water runs off, and industry guidance also says to skip deicing chemicals the first winter, then use them in moderation.
Who issues patio permits in Garden City, and who can I hire?
Neighborhood & Development Services issues the city's concrete flat work permits, and patios are on its application. You may hire a laborer, but a handyman or contractor you hire has to be licensed by the City of Garden City, which has a concrete contractor class. Questions go to 620-276-1120 or gcpermits@gardencityks.us.