wall on concrete patio

1st time user here...my concrete patio (new 10/02) measures 15' by 30' and is about 4-1/2" thick. I would like to build a short decorative wall around the perimeter, estimating the weight to be approx. 100# per foot. Can this be built on top of the patio perimeter (cause buckling???) or do I have to build it on concrete footers outside the patio pads? Any help or suggestions on where to go for help would be appreciated.
thanx
steve

 

Hi,

I'll be glad to help, but I need more information.

the concrete floor is reinforced? some reinforcement in the perimeter? what kind of wall are you trying to build? some reinforcement in the wall? are you going to hang plants in the wall?

Sorry by the questions...

 

okay...i'll try to explain....standard concrete patio (no footers or extra reinforcement) measuring 30' by 15' by 4-1/2"coming off the back of the house....there are expansion joints dividing the pad into 4-15'x7-1/2' sections. I would like to put a 27" high decorative wall made of some type of interlocking landscape stone around the perimeter of the patio.(these will be reinforced to prevent slippage and will have some kind of drain for rainwater) My question is, Can I put this wall on top of my patio concrete or will the weight of this wall sitting on the outside edge cause the concrete sections to buckle? I estimate the weight to be 100# per foot. I could put this wall off the concrete pad, but then I would have to make a footer all the way around. it would be nice to be able to avoid doing that.
Thanx for taking the time to help.
Steve

 

Hi,

The weight will crack the concrete. Perhaps you don't need to make a footer, but to excavate.

Check this link

http://www.navastone.com/installation/diyedgestone.htm

Regards

 

thanx for the tip.....their products seem to require earthen support on one side (retaining wall) and mine is going to be freestanding. I've emailed them to find out if their stones could be used and you're right!, they don't have to be set in concrete.
I'll let you know their answer.
Steve

 

I just finished building a new home, and pouring a new patio out back. I put rerod in every 16" one way and cross grided more every 24" the other. I poured about 6" thick because I plan to install walls around the perimiter. If you don't have good reinforcement in your patio, it will crack with the added weight. You might consider framing in the walls with 2x4 's and plywood and then covering them with a cultured stone product. I have seen this done before and they make a nice looking wall, without adding a lot of weight. Check out www.culturedstone.com.

Good Luck,