How long does it take to have a patio done?

If a patio is permitted, it will usually take one day for the prep work, and one day for the pour.

What about a permit?

If the patio is only going to be used to walk on, or for an outdoor sitting area for instance, it would not require a permit. Mr Patio can do most pours in one day, if that is the case. If you are thinking of doing a screen room however, this is considered a structure, and would require a permit.

How long does it take to dry?

Usually the concrete can be walked on the next day. At Mr Patio we always remove the forms the same day- this ensures a neat clean-up, as well as an efficient installation! Remember- at Mr Patio we will always ask if you are happy with the clean- up and will do whatever it takes to make that happen!

Can I get references?

Absolutely! In fact we encourage you to talk to other customers! Our best selling point is the consistent installation of hundreds of patios and driveways in the Tampabay area- all small masterpieces!

WIll my slab crack?

This is a complicated question that really deserves a longer answer than here in the FAQ's- see our article on cracking. The bottom line however is- yes. Concrete is a rock-like substance that expands and contracts with temperature changes, as well as other factors having to do with the chemical process of the actual "drying" (which is in fact an exothermic chemical reaction) of the concrete. Control joiints must be put in, whether they are hand tool joints, or sawcuts, in a timely manner to convince the concrete to crack in the joints created for them. Failure of a slab however is another thing. While a hairline crack might develop for some unknown reason, the actual concrete slab failing is usually due to either a poor design/installation with the sub-grade often being poorly compacted and/or wet. Other factors are the use of excessive water in the concrete leading to uncontrolled cracking, crazing, and slab failure. Pouiring concrete on mud/muck can lead to sub-grade failure, with the dirt shrinking, leaving a void below that especially with car traffic on a driveway, that can lead to slab failure.

How do I know if a builder is qualified?

References! If a builder is unable/unwilling to provide references, then this should be a warning siqn! Pictures are very good also. You are looking for work that looks straight, plumb and clean. Work that is done sloppily, will show to even the most inexperienced viewer. The block work of a structure is a structural element- it is not just a cosmetic item like stucco. If it is not done properly, and short-cuts are taken, failure can occur, which can be very expensive, and perhaps even impossible to correct.

What is the difference between a stem wall and a monolithic slab?

A monolithic pour is when the slab is poured first, with the footers (thickened edges) for the block integrated as part of the slab. The block is then laid on the slab, A stem wall is a footer poured separately with the block laid on top of the footer. Then the dirt is installed and the slab poured. The stem wall method is used in situations where the concrete floor height is going to be quite high in the air. This allows the contracotr to install the dirt in lifts, to get it ready to pour. The stem wall method is more expensive, as it requires more trips to complete. This would be in situations that are less than 16" in the air. If the floor height is higher, than a stem wall installation is recommended, as the cost savings for the monolithic slab are lost with the increased labor involved in forming up high slabs.

What does it mean to "pump the cells"

Pumping the cells refers to the job of filling the open cells in the block wall with concrete. When a wall is built, the footer, the downcells, and the lintel at the top form a system that interlocks together. This is the real strength of the house. If not done properly, it could affect the integrity of the building.