In a thread a little while ago I mentioned that I would be building a covered patio and RJ asked me to document it. I will update this thread as I make progress, rather than one big thread once it is complete. It is going to be difficult to find time to do the project as I am pretty busy right now. I will find time to get this done even if it is with flood lights at night though as I hate having projects hang over my head and drag along. Upon completion this will end up as a 30'-8" x 14'-4" covered concrete patio. I will also screen it in to keep the bugs out in the summer and drifting snow out in the winter. It all started yesterday evening when I dug five 36" deep holes to set my 4x4's in. Next came tear out, 8" of topsoil was removed and the forms were started to be put in place. The 4X4's were also placed in the holes. These 4X4s will hold the girder and roof system. Next up was spreading and tamping the aggregate (recycled crushed concrete). Here the wire mesh was laid down on top of the tamped aggregate. The concrete here has been laid and finished to a non skid texture. A non skid texture is just abrasive enough that if it gets wet, you wont slip and hurt yourself. I also raked and shoveled up all of the extra dirt and debris and started back filling up to the concrete pad with it in this photo. The bobcat was on tracks and it really tore my yard up. Here all of the raking, backfilling and reseeding the yard of grass seed has been taken care of.
Very impressive. I admire you guys that have such skills. Did you a post hole digger or auger for your holes?
No sir, next Saturday is my sons 3rd birthday and next Sunday is his birthday party I will be done before next weekend anyhow.
Thanks for sharing this Scott, I always learn something from these type of posts. This is pretty similar to the patio area I'm planning to tackle, so this is really helpful....... When laying the concrete, is the surface completely level.....or do you somehow pitch it to keep water away from the foundation? Is that anything to be concerned about or are you just building forms and pouring it to be completely level?
I can't speak for Scott, but the general guideline is 1/8" pitch per foot (I've read some recommend as high as a 1/4" per foot). You definitely want water running away from the foundation. We pitched my patio and walkways 1/8" per foot when we poured, and it sheds water very well.
Scott, great stuff! :thumbup: I am really looking forward to the roof tie in .... gonna be doing one of these myself soon
Looks great!! Are you using a shed type roof or hip? Being that it's in the corner like that, I suppose those are about the only two that will work. Keep up the good work, I love following people's project threads.
Excellent work Scott, looks great! Its not going to be the same next week without the camp instagater there gonna miss ya!
MGH was correct in his reply, I however did not slope it that much since I am covering and screening it all in. I am going to attach it to the roof above the eve, or possibly to the fascia if I run into problems..... By far and away my largest obstacle is that valley in the corner. I am dealing with slope from two roofs and a valley. Tearing it all apart will answer my concerns. I will know for sure tomorrow! It will be a shed / lean to style roof.
