Concrete Patios in Arlington Heights, IL

Concrete patios on many Arlington Heights lots were poured when the house was new, and they were sized for a grill and two lawn chairs. If yours is small, cracked, sloping toward the foundation or sitting below the lawn so it floods after rain, a new patio fixes the problem and gives you room for a table, a seating area and a path to the yard. We build new patios, replace old ones, and add sections to existing slabs.

Drainage is the first decision

A patio sits right against the house, so where its water goes matters more than its finish. The Village's flatwork standards say the top of a patio slab must sit lower than the top of the home's foundation and that all work must pitch away from the house. We set the grade so rain and snowmelt run to the lawn, not toward the basement walls. If the yard is flat or slopes toward the house, we plan the patio shape and slope around that, and we will tell you if you need a drain.

How a patio is built

• Layout: we mark the shape, check the grade and call J.U.L.I.E. to locate buried utilities.
• Excavation: sod and topsoil come out to make room for stone and concrete.
• Base: at least 4 inches of compacted gravel, as the Village requires. No pea gravel or sand.
• Forms: set to the finished height and slope, with curves if you want them.
• Pour: at least 4 inches of air-entrained concrete. The Village calls for a 6 bag mix with water reducer on patios and walks.
• Finish and joints: a broom or decorative finish, then control joints spaced so the slab cracks along them.
• Cure: the surface is kept from drying out too fast so it gains strength.

In Arlington Heights, a patio needs a residential flatwork permit and the same pre-pour base inspection and final inspection as a driveway. We take care of both.

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Finishes and shapes

• Broom finish: a light texture that grips when wet. The simplest and least expensive option.
• Colored concrete: a tint mixed into the concrete or a stain applied after.
• Exposed aggregate: washed to show the stone, with a natural look and good traction.
• Stamped: patterns that look like stone, slate or brick. See our stamped concrete page.
• Curves and steps down: curved edges, a step down from a back door, or a lower level for a fire pit area.

Patios sitting in full sun get hot. Lighter finishes stay cooler underfoot than dark colors.

Signs your patio needs to be replaced

• It tilts toward the house or holds water after rain
• Sections have heaved or sunk, creating trip edges
• The surface is flaking or pitted
• Cracks run all the way through and keep widening
• It is simply too small, and adding a section would leave mismatched levels

Caring for a concrete patio

Sweep off leaves in fall so they do not stain. Avoid salt on the patio in winter; use sand if you need grip on the path to the garage. Clear snow with a plastic shovel. A penetrating sealer every few years helps keep out water and stains from grills and planters. HomeGuide puts the lifespan of a well-maintained patio at 30 to 50 years.