Concrete Patios in Ocala, FL

A concrete patio is the simplest way to get more use out of an Ocala backyard. The weather here is mild for much of the year. Wikipedia's climate table for the city shows average highs of about 71 to 79 degrees from December through March, which is prime patio season, and many homeowners want a slab for a table, a grill, a fire pit or a screen enclosure. Our patio work covers new patios, extensions of small original slabs, lanai and screen room floors, and walkways that tie it all together.

The small original patio problem

Many Ocala homes built in the 1960s through the 1980s came with a small slab off the back door. Point2Homes' Census summary puts nearly half the city's housing in those decades. Those slabs are often too small for modern outdoor furniture, and many have settled or cracked. You can extend them or replace them. Extending works when the old slab is level and sound: we dowel new concrete into the old so the two sections do not shift apart. If the old slab has sunk toward the house or broken up, it is usually better to take it out and pour one new patio.

Drainage comes first

Ocala gets 6.5 to 7.4 inches of rain a month from June through September, mostly in short, heavy afternoon storms. A patio has to move that water away from the house. We slope every patio slightly away from the foundation and look at where the water will go once it leaves the slab. A patio that dumps water onto a flower bed against the house, or into a low corner of the yard, creates new problems. Where a downspout empties onto the patio area, we plan for it.

Finish options

• Broom finish: fine lines for grip. The most practical choice in the rain.
• Smooth or light broom: a cleaner look for covered lanais that stay dry.
• Exposed aggregate: the surface paste is rinsed away so the stone in the mix shows. It grips well and hides dirt.
• Stained or colored concrete: a tint mixed in or applied after the pour. Lighter colors stay cooler in the sun.
• Stamped concrete: patterns that look like stone, slate or brick. See our stamped concrete page.

Dark concrete in full Florida sun gets hot under bare feet. If the patio is uncovered and near a pool or play area, we usually suggest a lighter color.

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What goes into a patio

Layout. We mark the shape, check the height against door thresholds and decide the slope.

Excavation and base. Sod and topsoil come off, roots are cut back, and the sandy subgrade is compacted. Patios built straight on loose sand are the ones that settle.

Forms and reinforcement. Forms set the edges and slope. Wire mesh or rebar adds strength, and a thickened edge helps where a screen enclosure or post will sit.

Pour, finish and joints. Control joints are placed so cracks form where we want them, usually in a grid sized to the slab.

Curing. In summer we start curing right away so the surface does not dry out in the heat.

Lanai and screen room slabs

If you plan to add a screen enclosure, aluminum roof or pergola later, tell us at the estimate. Those structures usually need thicker footings at the edges, and it is much easier to build them in now than to cut the slab later. Enclosures and roofs often need their own permits, so check with the City of Ocala or Marion County, depending on your address.

Walkways

A walkway from the driveway to the back patio, or from the patio to a shed or pool, is a simple add-on while the crew and concrete are already on site. We form walkways with a slight cross slope so they do not hold water.

Care

Sweep and rinse as needed. Seal a colored or exposed aggregate patio every few years. Keep sprinklers from spraying directly onto the edges where water can get underneath. Clean up mildew in the shady, humid months before it stains.