Concreteguys - Patio questions (1 Viewer)

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

We had a pretty large patio installed, roughly 37x37 and 22x15 connected via steps…

I’m worried they didn’t use enough gravel as a base. They used rebar on the ledges and wire mesh but there is one section, the highest point up against the house that they poured right over a dirt base. 

I don’t know much about concrete so maybe they did something with the mix? The first pour in the area I’m concerned about seamed to have a lot of gravel in the mix. 

I have pictures but not of the other two pours so I can’t compare. 
 

 

[IC FBGCav]

We had a pretty large patio installed, roughly 37x37 and 22x15 connected via steps…

I’m worried they didn’t use enough gravel as a base. They used rebar on the ledges and wire mesh but there is one section, the highest point up against the house that they poured right over a dirt base. 

I don’t know much about concrete so maybe they did something with the mix? The first pour in the area I’m concerned about seamed to have a lot of gravel in the mix. 

I have pictures but not of the other two pours so I can’t compare. 
 

They should have used at least 4 inchs of concrete for that.

 

[Gally]

What is your concern?  Do you plan to have any heavy objects (spa filled with water) placed in these areas?  Are you asking about the fill underneath the concrete?  

ETA:  This may be helpful     Basics of Concrete Mixes

 

[prosopis]

I did my own 60' x 12'

I did not put any gravel down. I poured directly onto dirt. Prior to pouring I did do a lot of tamping down of dirt. I have had to fix a few cracks but no real big problems. I poured it about 20 years ago?

Giant PIA and I would never do it again.

 

[ChiefD]

We had a pretty large patio installed, roughly 37x37 and 22x15 connected via steps…

I’m worried they didn’t use enough gravel as a base. They used rebar on the ledges and wire mesh but there is one section, the highest point up against the house that they poured right over a dirt base. 

I don’t know much about concrete so maybe they did something with the mix? The first pour in the area I’m concerned about seamed to have a lot of gravel in the mix. 

I have pictures but not of the other two pours so I can’t compare. 
 

How large of a space did they pour over dirt?

Can you do it? Sure. But it's not generally the best practice to do so. Normally you want a base of some sort (gravel).  

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

They should have used at least 4 inchs of concrete for that.

It’s four inches of concrete. M more worried that there’s no gravel under a portion of it. 

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

What is your concern?  Do you plan to have any heavy objects (spa filled with water) placed in these areas?  Are you asking about the fill underneath the concrete?  

ETA:  This may be helpful     Basics of Concrete Mixes

Plenty of gravel under the part where the Hot tub is going and piers under where the deck posts will be. 

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

I did my own 60' x 12'

I did not put any gravel down. I poured directly onto dirt. Prior to pouring I did do a lot of tamping down of dirt. I have had to fix a few cracks but no real big problems. I poured it about 20 years ago?

Giant PIA and I would never do it again.

Yeah no way I could have pulled this off myself. Everything was tamped with the machine. 
 

This is a little reassuring though. Thanks. (Not sarcasm) 

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

How large of a space did they pour over dirt?

Can you do it? Sure. But it's not generally the best practice to do so. Normally you want a base of some sort (gravel).  

There is zero gravel under the large upper section. It’s three levels. 

 

[Gally]

Gravel under the pour isn't necessary.  It's more about getting proper compaction of the sub base.  As long as that has been compacted properly it shouldn't really matter.  

Also, the more important part is the rebar/mesh and mix ratio for strength for under the hot tub (again, assuming proper compaction of the subbase regardless of the material).  

 

[johnnycakes]

I don't think you have anything to worry about.  

 

[IC FBGCav]

Gravel under the poor isn't necessary.  It's more about getting proper compaction of the sub base.  As long as that has been compacted properly it shouldn't really matter.  

Also, the more important part is the rebar/mesh and mix ratio for strength for under the hot tub (again, assuming proper compaction of the subbase regardless of the material).  

This

 

[IC FBGCav]

Gravel under the poor isn't necessary.  It's more about getting proper compaction of the sub base.  As long as that has been compacted properly it shouldn't really matter.  

Also, the more important part is the rebar/mesh and mix ratio for strength for under the hot tub (again, assuming proper compaction of the subbase regardless of the material).  

If the "proof roll" passed all good.  Most concrete is not poured over abc stone.