Foundation & Patio

Getting ready to break ground on our new addition. I plan on contracting the foundation (slab on grade) and pouring of the adjacent concrete patio. A couple of questions:

1. Does it make sense to pour the addition foundation and the patio at the same time? I plan on doing an "acid wash" stain finish on the patio slab -- if I pour the patio at the same time as the foundation, can the stain be done after most of the major construction is complete or does it need to be done during the patio installation? I don't want the patio finish to get beat up during construction.

2. Is there any reason I should repeat the 30" footings on the patio that are part of the foundation or just go with a normal 4" slab?

3. How does slab on grade get poured? I assume the contractor forms things up, inspector buys off on the forming...are the footings poured and cured before the slab is poured?

 

Acid staining is done on cured concrete, so you can do it anytime after 28 days. Just make sure that a cure and seal compound is NOT used when it is poured, or the stain won't react. Really, you can stain sooner, but the manufacturers specify waiting.
The patio can just be 4 inches; no footings. The method of doing the room addition foundation depends upon the contractor and the locality.

Pecos

 

I would pour the patio later.

1. You don't have to worry about it getting damaged, scratched or stained during the addition construction. You never know what CAN happen.

2. This will give you an opportunity to get the soil under the patio a chance to settle and then get well compacted. Your house footings will require excavation and backfilling.

As Pecos said, the patio is just a floating slab with no footings. It should have a minor slope away from the house and addition.

Dick

 

The only reason to pour them together would be if it were an access issue for the actual pouring.