Concrete Patios, Pool Decks and Sidewalks in Ocala, FL

How does a concrete patio drain away from the house?

Ocala averages about 52 inches of rain a year, more than half of it from June through September. Florida's residential code calls for the ground to fall 6 inches in the first 10 feet from the house. Where that won't fit, hard surfaces within 10 feet must slope at least 2 percent away. On a concrete patio, that works out to about a quarter inch of fall per foot.

Much of Marion County sits on deep sand, so the base under the slab matters. Our site prep and grading work sets the grade and compacts the base before the forms go up. A concrete patio is usually poured at least 4 inches thick. A hot tub or other heavy load can call for 5 or 6 inches.

A foam or fiber strip goes where the slab meets the house, so each can move on its own. Florida's code rates termite risk across the state as very heavy. It calls for a 4 inch inspection space between a patio slab and the wall covering above it. We set the slab height to keep that gap open.

Pool decks around new and existing pools in Marion County

A pool contractor builds the pool, and we pour the concrete pool deck around it. On a new pool, the deck goes in when the pool is ready for it. On an existing pool, the old deck comes out first, and that concrete removal is part of the job.

A pool deck slopes away from the water, so rain and splash run off to the yard or a drain. An expansion joint separates the deck from the pool edge, just as one does at the house. Industry guidance calls for outdoor concrete with a broom texture that is not slippery when wet. A light broom gives that grip with a finer feel under bare feet.

Ocala averages about 110 days a year at 90 degrees or hotter. Light surfaces reflect more sun and stay cooler underfoot than dark ones. A national lab found new concrete reflects 30 to 50 percent of sunlight, against about 5 percent for new asphalt. Plain concrete starts out light gray, and a light paver color stays cooler too.

Concrete steps and sidewalks from the driveway to the door

A concrete sidewalk ties the concrete driveway to the front door, or the house to the pool or the barn. Industry guidance keeps each panel close to square, no longer than 1.5 times its width. On a 4 foot sidewalk, that puts a joint at least every 6 feet. Each joint is cut at least a quarter of the way through the slab.

Concrete steps at a door have to fit Florida's residential code. Each riser can be no taller than 7 3/4 inches, and each tread at least 10 inches deep. Four or more risers need a handrail on at least one side. The landing outside the door must be at least 36 inches deep and slope no more than 2 percent.