- 1). Dig the patio area at least 6 inches deep. Place stakes at corners. Connect the string tightly across the top of the stakes and hang the plumb bob or level from it to make sure the patio depth is uniform along the sides. Tamp down the dirt in the hole.
- 2). Nail the boards together to frame the patio area; this will be the form that keeps concrete in the patio. Brace it with scrap wood to prevent the concrete from running over the patio boundaries. Fill the hole with 2 inches of gravel.
- 3). Lay the rebar---short for reinforcement bar, and usually made of steel---at 1- or 2-foot intervals, horizontally and vertically. The rebar is especially important in parts of Texas where the clay soil will shift over time.
- 4). Mix the cement, following the manufacturer's instructions. Pour it as quickly as possible into the patio area.
- 5). Place the screed on either side of the form. Slide it across the top of the form, leveling the concrete as you go along. Remove any excess. Use the concrete float tool to smooth out any bumps or fill any holes.
- 6). Use the joint tool and a straight edge---ideally, a long board---to create joints about every 3 feet. This will keep the concrete from cracking. The joints should be about 2 inches deep for a 6-inch-deep patio base.
- 7). Cover the patio with plastic sheeting. The concrete will need at least a week to cure. Don't let it dry too fast. Spray water on it if necessary.
- 8). Remove the plastic sheeting after a week. Use the pry bar to remove the forms.
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