How do I prepare the ground for a terrace?

The terrace in front of the house is a place where you can relax, have dinner, drink coffee, organize a barbecue with friends or spend a romantic evening for two. A house with a terrace is a dream of many couples building their nest, but its construction is not such a simple matter. Find out how to prepare a solid foundation for a terrace

For a terrace to be stable, it has to stand on properly prepared ground. Concrete patios are a very budget-friendly option when it comes to building a patio. They are also easy to redo over time, encasing them in wood or composite decking. It’s also a really reliable foundation for any other type of patio. You can find all the equipment you need to build a concrete patio at https://norwit.pl/.

Preparing the ground for the terrace

Curing the ground is necessary before you can start building a terrace. It is the first step without which a terrace cannot stand. The soil only appears hard and compact on the surface, but in reality it is full of air. Once the concrete has been poured and a heavy terrace erected, uncompacted soil will begin to sink in. A soil compactor causes the soil to move and fills the empty spaces with air and water by creating strong vibrations. Thoroughly compacted soil is the ideal base for the next steps.

Reinforcing and pouring the concrete

The next step is making the reinforcement and pouring the concrete. The reinforcement is made of concrete blocks that form a concrete terrace. The reinforcement will make the concrete stable, prevent it from cracking and provide a solid support for the terrace. When pouring the final, top layer of concrete, a vibrating batten will come in handy so the concrete will spread evenly and create an even, thin layer, perfect for the finish. Vibration pushes out air bubbles in wet concrete and will make it durable

Drying concrete

To create a durable and solid patio foundation, concrete must be dried properly. Concrete that dries too fast will crack and crumble. You should dry it gradually and not rush anything by force. On hot days it is a good idea to sprinkle the hardening concrete with water from time to time to prevent it from drying out too quickly

There are preparations available on the market that accelerate the drying of concrete, but they should only be used when weather conditions are really not conducive to this process. If it is raining and/or the air is very humid, it is worth using such a product to shorten the drying time and prevent water damage. Concrete needs about 28 days to fully cure

During this time, it is better not to expose the screed to loads, walk on uncured concrete or decorate it too early. There are ways to speed up the proceedings of the renovation work. For example, if you want to start laying decking sooner, you can use a product that will pre-dry the top layer of concrete so that you can lay the decking earlier

Everyone wants a beautiful terrace with a comfortable seating area and a view of the garden. However, building a terrace is not a one-day job, but a long-term process. It takes time to properly prepare the ground for the concrete screed and to execute it in the right way. Also, just drying the concrete until it is completely hardened is almost a month-long wait. However, it is worth investing not only money but also time in a terrace to enjoy it for years to come