Concrete patios, walkways and steps

What you can pour

• Backyard patios off the back door, around a fire pit or under a pergola
• Walkways from the driveway to the front door, or down the side of the house to the backyard
• Front steps and landings, poured in place or replacing precast steps that have settled
• Pool decks with a non-slip finish and proper slope away from the water
• Hot tub and shed pads that stay level for years

Choosing a finish

Broom finish is simple, grippy and the most affordable. Exposed aggregate shows the stone in the mix and hides dirt well. Stamped concrete is pressed with patterns like slate, flagstone or brick, and coloured to match. It looks like stone for less, but it needs resealing every few years to keep its colour. Compare them in our finishes guide.

Getting water to go the right way

A patio or walkway should slope gently away from the house, about a quarter inch per foot. Too flat and water pools and freezes. Sloped toward the house and you're pushing water at your foundation. Ask each contractor how they'll grade the slab and where the water will go.

Steps and railings

Steps have to have consistent rise and run so nobody trips, and taller sets need a handrail. When old steps are replaced, the contractor should check what's underneath, because settling steps often mean the backfill against the foundation was never compacted.