Therefore, you are considering changing your old patio with brand new concrete right
Now it is likely to be unsightly or out of alignment perhaps even cracked evenly
Genuinely this is what we are used to here in Portland and it does not happen to you alone
However, not to shout up a contractor or take up a sledgehammer
hold on a sec
there are some few things you ought to know
We are going to speak like ordinary people, in this post
no special statistics jargon, just plain-old information that you will actually call into play
and whenever you are not certain or do not understand something you can in any way contact our team
we have done plenty of patios and if we can help you out please do not put pressure on yourself
Shall we dive into the five things that you may want to remember before you rip up that old patio
1 Your Existing Patio Might Be a Good Base or Might Not Be
Now here’s something most people don’t realize
Just because your old concrete patio is cracked or worn out doesn’t always mean you gotta remove the whole thing
Sometimes we can pour new concrete right over the old one
but only if it’s still structurally sound
like no major sinking no big gaps no drainage problems
Other times though if it’s crumbling or moving around when you step on it
it’s gotta go
Trying to pour over bad concrete is like putting frosting on burnt toast
Looks okay at first but doesn’t last
A good patio installer in Portland will tell you upfront what’s worth saving and what’s not
and if they don’t maybe it’s time to get a second opinion
2 Consider the Height and the Slope the Pouring of Anything
The following is a goofy yet typical error
You put a new patio and you do not consider that the new one will go up high up.
And then the boom water comes gushing into your home when the next Portland rainclouds get together.
That is why when a person is to mix concrete, we always discuss slope and height first.
We desire that water running out of your house
not on your foundation
and this is one of those things that you do not really know until it is late
so yep be sure of that part
We will assist with the same provided you are with us or it is a good practice to do the same to your concrete contractor
3 Plain Gray Is Fine But Do You Want a Nicer Look Maybe Stamped or Brushed
Let’s be honest
You’re replacing the patio for a reason right
So why not upgrade it a bit while you’re at it
Instead of doing the basic flat gray concrete
you might wanna check out stamped concrete
It gives you that stone tile or wood grain look without the crazy price tag
And if you’re not into patterns brushed concrete is another upgrade
It gives the surface a nice grip texture plus looks cleaner and more modern
Point is you got options
So take a minute to think about the finish
We can even show you samples or past jobs so you can see what it looks like in real homes
4 Replacing a Patio Isn’t Just About the Surface It’s What’s Underneath That Counts
Here’s the part no one brags about online
The prep work underneath the patio is just as important as the concrete itself
We’re talking about the base
That means compacted gravel sand maybe even a moisture barrier
If your last patio sank or cracked a lot chances are the sub-base wasn’t done right
So when we replace it we don’t just slap down new concrete and call it a day
We dig
We level
We pack it down right
Because once that slab is down it’s not coming back up easily
Do it right the first time trust us on that one
5 Don’t Skip the Expansion Joints and Drainage Planning
Okay okay this one sounds boring
but wait
this is what keeps your new patio looking fresh for years
Expansion joints are those little lines or gaps you see in big slabs
They give the concrete room to expand and contract without cracking
You gotta plan where those go or cracks will form wherever they want
And drainage planning
This is huge in Portland
You ever seen a patio with a giant puddle in the middle that takes forever to dry
Yeah no thanks
We use slopes drains even trench systems if needed
We design it so the rain flows off the surface and into the right spots
Less mess less slipping
more chill backyard hangs
Bonus Tip Timing and Weather Can Make or Break Your Patio Job
Look we live in Portland
Rain’s basically a second season here
And concrete and water don’t always mix well especially in the early curing stage
So don’t just book your patio job randomly
Work with a contractor who understands local weather patterns and checks the forecast
We do that like every week
If we see rain coming we reschedule no problem
Better wait a few days than ruin a whole slab
Quick Recap Before You Call a Contractor
Here’s a fast checklist for ya
✅ Is your old patio still structurally solid
✅ Is there enough slope for water to drain away
✅ What type of finish do you want stamped brushed or plain
✅ Will the contractor prep the base correctly
✅ Are they planning for joints and drainage
If your contractor can’t answer those or won’t walk you through it
you might wanna keep shopping
Or just call us at Xcelent Concrete Services
We’ll tell you what’s up and give you a fair honest estimate
Need Help Replacing Your Patio in Portland
If you’re ready to replace your old patio or just thinking about it and wanna explore your options
give us a call or send us a message
We’re local we know Portland weather and we’ve done tons of patio replacements
From planning to pouring we handle it all start to finish
Even if you just have a quick question about what to do next
ask away
No pressure
We love helping people figure out what’s best for their space
Final Thought
Replacing a patio isn’t just about making it look better
It’s about making sure it works better and lasts longer too
And when it’s done right you’ll have a smooth solid outdoor space that you’ll actually enjoy using
So do it once
do it smart
and hey if you want it done right
we’d be happy to help
