A backyard patio should hold up for decades without cracking, settling, or pulling away from the house. A lot of patios don't, and the reason usually isn't the concrete itself. It's what's underneath. If the base wasn't graded properly, wasn't compacted, or didn't account for drainage, the slab will move. Illinois winters make that worse. Freeze-thaw cycles put real stress on concrete that wasn't set up right.
We've been pouring concrete across the Metro East for 20 years. We know what the ground does here in spring, and we prep the base to handle it.
If your current patio is heaving, cracking, or holding water against your house, it probably wasn't built to last. When you're ready to replace it or add a new one, here's how we do it.
Our Concrete Patio Approach
We pour patios the same way we approach every concrete job: get the base right first, then worry about the finish.
Before any concrete goes down, we grade the ground for drainage, compact the base material, and set the right thickness for the size and use of your patio. We use reinforcement where it's needed. We also make sure the slope runs away from your house, not toward it. Water pooling against a foundation causes problems that are a lot more expensive than a patio.
For finishes, we offer standard broom finish, smooth trowel, and decorative options. If you want more than a plain gray slab, a Stamped Concrete Patio gives you the look of natural stone or pavers with the durability of poured concrete.
We run our own trucks and equipment, so we're not waiting on a subcontractor to show up with a skid steer. One crew, start to finish.
When You Need a New Concrete Patio
The old patio is cracking or sinking. If sections have shifted or you've got cracks wider than a hairline, the base has moved. Patching the surface won't fix that. The right call is a tear-out and repour with a properly prepared base underneath.
Water is draining toward the house. A patio that pitches the wrong direction pushes water against your foundation. Over time, that causes basement seepage and erosion. Getting the slope right when we pour eliminates that problem.
You're starting from scratch in the backyard. New patios are easier to design before landscaping and fencing go in. We can pour around existing trees, grade-level changes, or odd lot shapes and get the drainage set up correctly from the start.
The existing surface is rough, spalled, or just ugly. If the surface has scaled from years of salt and freeze-thaw damage, it's not going to get better. A new pour with proper finishing gives you a clean surface that's easier to maintain.
What's Included in Our Process
1. On-site estimate. We come out, look at the space, and talk through your options. If there's an old patio to remove, we'll factor that in. We give you a written price before any work starts. No surprises.
2. Demolition and haul-away (if needed). We break out old concrete with our own equipment and haul it off with our own trucks. You don't have to hire a separate demolition company or rent a dumpster.
3. Base prep and grading. We grade the ground, establish the correct slope for drainage, bring in base material, and compact it. This step is where most concrete failures start, and it's where we spend the most attention.
4. Form setting and reinforcement. We set forms to the right dimensions and install rebar or wire mesh where the design calls for it.
5. Pour and finish. We coordinate the concrete delivery and pour to match conditions. Finish options include broom, smooth trowel, or decorative stamp. We can discuss color and pattern if you want a decorative surface.
6. Cure time and cleanup. We clean up the site and let you know exactly when the concrete is ready to walk on and when it's fully cured. Don't let anyone drive equipment over a fresh slab before it's ready.
What a Concrete Patio Costs
Patio pricing depends on size, thickness, finish, and whether demolition is involved. A basic broom-finished patio runs less than a stamped or colored decorative surface. A larger patio with a full tear-out and haul-away costs more than a simple pour on bare ground.
The best way to get an accurate number is a free on-site estimate. We measure the space, look at drainage and grading needs, and talk through your finish options. Then we give you a clear written price.
What we don't do is give low quotes over the phone and add charges once the work starts. If the base needs more prep than expected, we'll tell you before we dig in.
Call us at 618-514-2663 or contact us online to schedule your free estimate.
Where We Pour Concrete Patios
We work throughout St. Clair, Madison, and Monroe County. That covers a wide stretch of the Metro East, from the larger cities down to smaller towns and rural properties.
Here are some of the areas we serve regularly:
- Concrete Patio in O'Fallon, IL
- Concrete Patio in Belleville, IL
- Concrete Patio in Edwardsville, IL
- Concrete Patio in Collinsville, IL
- Concrete Patio in Waterloo, IL
- Concrete Patio in Columbia, IL
- Concrete Patio in Troy, IL
- Concrete Patio in Shiloh, IL
Not sure if we come to your area? Give us a call. If you're in the Metro East, we probably do.
Related Services
Looking to do more with your outdoor space, or handling other concrete work at the same time? Here are services that pair well with a new patio.
Stamped Concrete Patio Want more than a plain gray slab? Stamped concrete gives you the look of brick, slate, or natural stone. Poured and textured as part of the same pour, not glued on top.
Concrete Walkway / Path Connect your patio to the driveway, side yard, or back door with a durable walkway. Standard or decorative finishes to match the patio.
Concrete Steps & Stoops If your patio has a step down to the yard or up to the door, we pour those as part of the project or as a standalone job.
Concrete Sidewalk Installation Updating the front of the house at the same time? We pour sidewalks and walkways around homes and businesses throughout the area.