North Richland Hills, TX · Concrete Patios
Concrete Patios in North Richland Hills
New and extended concrete patios in North Richland Hills, Haltom City, Grapevine and Lewisville, built to drain away from the house and stay level on clay.
01 — What this covers
The work itself
- New patios and enlargements of small original slabs
- Covered patio and pergola slabs with footings
- Grill, outdoor kitchen and fire pit pads
- Hot tub pads
- Plain, broom, stamped and stained finishes
- Walkways connecting patio, yard and gate
- Removal and replacement of sunken patios
- Drainage planning around new patios
02 — Detail
Small original slabs, bigger plans
Many homes in North Richland Hills and Haltom City came with a modest slab outside the back door, often just big enough for two chairs. Extending it, or replacing it with a larger patio, is one of the most common projects in the area, especially as more people spend evenings and weekends outdoors.
When an extension meets an existing slab, the details matter: the new section should sit at the right height, be separated by a joint so the old and new concrete can move independently, and share the same slope away from the house. Done carelessly, the seam between old and new becomes the first place to crack or trip.
If the original slab has already sunk toward the house or cracked badly, it is often better to remove it and pour one continuous patio than to add on to a problem.
03 — Detail
Drainage comes first on flat lots
Most lots in the Mid-Cities are fairly flat, and the clay under them drains slowly. A new patio covers ground that used to absorb rain, so that water has to go somewhere. A slab sloped gently away from the house, usually around an eighth to a quarter of an inch per foot, keeps it moving toward the yard.
Gutters and downspouts near the patio should discharge away from it, ideally into a buried line or onto splash blocks that send water to open lawn. Water that pours off a roof onto a patio edge softens the clay there and is a common reason patios settle unevenly.
Where the yard itself holds water after storms, a contractor may suggest a yard drain or regrading as part of the patio project. It's far cheaper to fix during construction than afterward.
04 — Detail
Covered patios, kitchens and hot tubs
A patio that might one day carry a roof, a pergola, an outdoor kitchen or a hot tub needs to be built for it from the start. Posts for a covered patio should sit on footings or thickened sections of slab, and a hot tub needs a pad that can carry its full weight when filled with water and people.
Outdoor kitchens bring counters, grills and sometimes masonry, all of which add concentrated weight. Planning thicker concrete and extra steel under those areas, and leaving conduit for gas or electrical lines before the pour, avoids cutting into a finished slab later.
If you're not sure what the patio will hold in five years, say so during the estimate visit. Building in a little extra capacity now costs much less than reworking the slab later.
05 — Detail
Finishes that suit the Mid-Cities
A broom finish is practical, slip-resistant and affordable. Stamped and stained finishes add color and pattern that work well with the brick and stone common on homes in the area. Exposed aggregate shows the stones in the mix and wears well under heavy use.
Whatever the finish, outdoor concrete in North Texas should be air-entrained and sealed so freezing winters don't flake the surface. Decorative finishes need resealing every few years to keep their color.
Lighter colors keep patios cooler in summer, which matters for uncovered slabs that catch the afternoon sun.
06 — Detail
From estimate to first barbecue
Building a patio usually takes a few days: excavation and base preparation, forms and steel, the pour and finish, then joint cutting. The pour is scheduled for a day without rain, and in winter for a stretch without freezing nights.
You can usually walk on a new patio after a day or two and put furniture on it after a few days. Heavier items such as a grill island or hot tub should wait until the concrete has gained more strength.
Decorative patios are sealed once the concrete has cured, and every patio benefits from keeping water moving away from its edges.
How we work
Step by step
- 01
Call about size, use, finish and future plans like a roof or hot tub.
- 02
Site visit to check drainage, soil, existing slab and access.
- 03
Written estimate with base, steel, slope, finish and any removal.
- 04
Excavation, forms and steel, then the pour and finish.
- 05
Joint cutting, curing and sealing for decorative finishes.
What it costs
Patio prices depend on size, finish, base work, footings for future structures, drainage work, access and whether an existing slab has to be removed.
Questions
Concrete Patios — asked and answered
Can my small back patio be extended?
Yes. The new section is set at the right height, jointed to the old one and sloped away from the house.
Does a hot tub need a special pad?
Yes. A filled hot tub is very heavy, so it needs a reinforced pad on a compacted base.
When can I put furniture on a new patio?
After a few days for normal furniture; longer for heavy items like grill islands or hot tubs.
Why is my old patio sloping toward the house?
The outer edge settled as the clay dried or water washed soil away. It can often be leveled, or replaced with proper slope.
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