I'm wondering why my suburban home in Southern California has a perfect backyard patio that's 500 sq ft without a single crack. I noticed it during closing when someone pointed it out, and it's impressive considering the age of the concrete. It makes me curious if there's a reason for this durability from the 1970s. Did they use different techniques or materials back then? What should I ask a contractor to replicate this quality for future projects?
2 Answers
Back then, the prep work was likely a lot more meticulous. They probably ensured the base was well-compacted and used thicker concrete too. For a patio, they used a base of around 8 inches and at least 4 inches of concrete, which isn’t common now. Make sure to specify that level of care to your contractor!
Living in SoCal, you benefit from a climate that avoids freeze-thaw cycles, which is great for concrete longevity. But also, it could be about how the concrete was installed in the past. Using rebar or steel mesh to reinforce slabs keeps everything tight and can make a real difference!
That makes sense! What about the mix itself? Did they differ in quality?