There are many ways you can add elements to and improve your property, including adding vegetation and pavement made of various materials and colors. Concrete provides a solid foundation and keeps down dust and mud and improves your property for a number of activities along with and increased value. But when you are ready to add in some concrete, here are some tips to help you when you are planning to install a new concrete pad on your property.

Look at a Location

Not all surfaces should receive concrete, as it is going to create a strong barrier over the soil once it is installed. For example, if you have a septic system installed in your yard, you do not want to pave over the top of this area, as it can cause damage to the system and prevent maintenance work. Or if you want to keep some vegetation within the paving, look for interlocking paving stones that allow for grass to grow between each.

Select an area that is free of cultivated trees and shrubbery in which you want to create a strong surface for parking vehicles or playing basketball, for example. The concrete's location will need to be cleared of weeds, rocks, and other materials that will get in the way of the construction. Consider hiring a landscaping company to smooth and level the area to prepare it for concrete. You don't want the surface to slope one way, as this can lead to an uneven concrete slab.

Consider Its Use and Structure

Another step to take in your preparation for concrete is to look at what type of use you want the concrete for. The concrete will need to be a specific thickness in order to provide it enough durability for the type of use it will have. 

For example, if you are installing a patio or a concrete slab for building upon, it will need to be four inches thick. If you plan to use it for very heavy loads, such as to park an RV or semi truck, you should plan on pouring the slab six inches thick. 

However, the minimum you can pour a concrete slab is two inches for other uses within your yard. Just be sure you apply a layer of gravel to support the base of the concrete and mix the concrete ratio appropriately so the concrete cures into a strong material.

As you prepare the site for your new concrete slab, be sure you account for its intended use and its thickness to excavate soil from the site to provide space for the concrete forms and the concrete to sit within the soil. This will ensure the final concrete slab will have its full strength. Learn more about concrete driveways today.