Wednesday, June 1, 2011

A Broken Concrete Patio

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It is done-it's finally finished! And how I love my new broken concrete patio. The idea of building a patio from broken concrete was a good one-I thought anyhow. The only cost would be for the gravel and metal edging. Concrete is durable and easily found if you know where to look. I just knew I had a good idea to build this patio out of broken concrete until...
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We started the patio a bit differently than we normally would. I decided to lay out the landscape fabric first then add the gravel. I did not plan to add any sand to the base of this patio. I theorized the gravel would allow me to level the chunks of concrete and the sand would just wash away anyhow. Normally I would put the gravel down, then the landscape fabric then about two inches of sand. Not with this patio. All was well until....
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We (Mr. Fix-it and I) began placing the huge chunks of concrete in their places. The right side of this patio is higher than the left so we had to compensate for the grade change. We did this by building up the lower side with more gravel and by using the thicker pieces of concrete on that side. By the way, we drove to Evansville Indiana for these chunks of concrete. Mr. Fix-it and I loaded his truck-in the pouring rain. What a mess! I think it was worth it though. The concrete came from a man who broke it up and replaced it with flagstone. Funny enough you can see this concrete once started life as a broken concrete patio too-but the person added in mortar to hold the pieces together; whereas we only added gravel. 


When we first laid out all of these chunks of concrete I was quite skeptical. I thought the idea of a broken concrete patio was not going to work. The concrete did not fit together well at all and the gaps between the chunks were dangerous. One could easily break an ankle if one was not careful. The patio sat without a gravel filling or edging for about a month and it was not used at all. Finally, I had enough time to insert the metal edging ($15) along the outside of the patio (the back and sides are held in by limestone blocks) in order to level the patio and hold in the gravel. I then added two and one half wheelbarrows of crushed limestone. The crushed limestone worked like a charm to make a sturdy and firm footing for the concrete chunks! Due to the wide range of sizes of the grave the gravel packed into the cracks and gaps wonderfully and the patio became a real work of art. A work of art that was very sturdy with no fear of breaking one's ankle in the cracks. I'd say it is even strong enough to hold a chair leg in the cracks that is how well the crushed limestone packed down. I was so happy it worked out well and I did not have to start from square one again. The broken concrete of the patio base ties in with my other beds out front where I use broken concrete as garden edging and is a simple natural way to reuse what otherwise would be bound for the landfill. The broken concrete serves a purpose and looks good to boot. I find I am now spending a lot of time in the chaise out front....


in the garden....

Come back Friday to see how this patio is tucked into a large island bed garden. 
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

32 comments:

  1. Very inspiring and creatively done. I will like to make one too when we finally have our own place instead of renting.

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  2. I love it. And because it is so thick, it will not shift! Awesome!

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  3. Heavy lifting is fun, isn't it?

    Your results are great and glad you persevered. I know you will really enjoy the patio. Metal edging is one of our latest things...we are going back around places and using it after our positive experience with recent hardscape projects.

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  4. Great reuse of materials! It looks really good. I used the crushed limestone under our patio and found it worked but that a sand base might be easier to level.

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  5. Really, really great result! Congratulations on a job well-done!

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  6. Lots of work Tina, but I think it looks great! I love hardscape--and y'all did a fantastic job. (I want those chairs!) :)

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  7. You and your husband must have the strongest backs around! Your patio looks great and I applaud your vision and hard work. Beautiful!

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  8. Beautiful patio! My back aches just looking at the size of some of that concrete. Yikes... About time Mr. Fixit creates a wench type system in the trailer for such heavy lifting. Your back will thank you. And yes, sand does escape from under stones. I have lifted the stone border around the patio twice now as it keeps sinking into the ground. I take the quick way out with sand as I would have to dig out dirt to add gravel. That would be a bigger project so I take the easy way out. Silly me as I have spent more time on refilling sand then I should if I had only done the job correct the first time…

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  9. Indiana??? You and Mr. Fix-it should come over for dinner some time. We're only in Connecticut. :-p You did a good job with this, Tina. It looks beefy! I like beefy. I thought I was motivated but you win, hands down. Let me know how the landscape fabric works at keeping the weeds out. Been doing way too much reading about that but want to hear from someone who is using it with rock on top and no mulch.

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  10. I love it, Tina. You have inspired me to do a project with some broken concrete of my own that has been sitting in the woods for a couple of years. I think I will wait for cooler weather though. It is already pushing 100 degrees around here! Carla

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  11. Great job, as always. The landfill thanks you very much. I just love to see things recycled.

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  12. This looks really good! It's casual and elegant at the same time. I have those exact same two red chairs.

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  13. MKG, As nicely done as your place is I would've thought you owned it already!

    Rosey, That is a good bonus for sure. That and the fact the tree roots can still grow and most likely won't shift the patio.

    Freda, No! Heavy lifting is so NOT fun. I had a lower back strain about two months ago and still haven't completely recovered. This is one reason Mr. Fix-it kicked in and actually helped. It was good to have him help-no matter the reason but I'm hoping no more heavy lifting in the future!:)

    Dave, The crushed limestone is a fabulous material and I'm liking it alot. We did not use it for the base though. I made a mistake and got the decorative stone and that rolls around a bit easier for leveling. Hopefully it will hold up.

    Rebecca, Thanks!

    Linda, We lucked out on those chairs for sure. They are quite trendy and we managed to find these ones at a yard sale. I had to refinish them though. Keep your eyes open and you'll find some too.

    Janet, I wish! I never had real back pain until that lower strain and I could barely walk or breathe. It was awful. I went to the doctor it had gotten so bad. He said, "No more activities that hurt your back" That's funny. Hubby's is suffering too.

    Skeeter, Patios can surely be difficult to manage with sand-total bummer you have to redo yours occasionally. Try the polymer sand and there is also a spray you can spray on sand that will hold it in. Look in the hardware store the next time you go for some supplies.

    Wendy, Ha! We are going to Maine this summer so who knows-we just might be passing through the old Connecticut state-in fact-we have to to get to Maine-what are you cooking?:) Indiana is only two hours from here so it sounds further than it really is. It's a nice once in awhile trip and we had business there so it wasn't only the concrete. Good thing huh?

    Carla, It turned out better than I had hoped and I know some people might not like it but it is SO functional-and inexpensive. Give it a try. Maybe a patio near the pond? Hot here too, I hate it.

    Mom, Yes indeed! Just imagine if we reused half of the stuff we throw away at how much our environment would be saved. Such a good thing.

    Alexis, Lucky you on the chairs. They sure are functional in the garden. Some folks might not like the broken concrete element but you say it so well-casual and elegant at the same time. It is so useful where it is and works so well for us.

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  14. Hello all.
    Tina that is an awesome patio. My back aches too from the size of some of those chunks of concrete.
    I think someone else & I would have to scrape over those chairs. lol
    I agree that too much is thrown away When it could be used for another purpose.

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  15. Wow - it looks so good. I liked that you gave us the whole story - doubts and all. Isn't that the way with most projects? I'm so glad it turned out well. Great inspiration!

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  16. It turned out great! I really like how the crushed limestone looks between the concrete pieces. It looks like a nice spot to enjoy the garden from.

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  17. Lola, They were pretty big chunks and quite heavy. I can't believe it is done now. Recycling at its best.

    HolleyGarden, I'm pretty good at the whole story-probably too good. To find a post of mine with only a few words would be a miracle. I do have one coming up though:) Yes, doubts always play into things. Will it work? How will I like it? The good thing with the hardscaping here is that so far I've been on the money and I have not had to move any patios. Can't say that with gardens though but that is another story indeed. Glad you like it.

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  18. Catherine, I wish you could come and visit and we could sit here and chat-one of these days maybe...

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  19. Nice and green! After all that hard work, you deserve to lounge.

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  20. Looking good Tina! The things we go through to make our gardens comfortable! I can imagine loading that concrete in a driving rain...you are a determined woman ;)

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  21. Oh, this is a great project. I love the fact you used recycled concrete. It looks fantastic. Very rustic. :)

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  22. Lobsta or Dominican Soul Food. Whatever floats your boat, Tina. We have plenty of room and you are MORE than welcome!

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  23. Looks great Tina -always creating something awesome! Really busy with kiddos - bunnies are about this year, hehehe. Just hope they leave the garden alone:0) Hi girls -hope everyone is doing well. Ciao!

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  24. A great reuse project and you did a nice job. I guess you found out the most difficult part was the leveling do to the varying thickness of the material. Plus I can tell by looking, these were really heavy.

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  25. Sarah, Thanks!

    Cat, Determined indeed. Some might say daft:)

    Nancy, Thanks! This fits in so well with my garden.

    Wendy, Thanks! You are most kind. Email me if you like and maybe we can stop by for a bit. I'm not sure though as we'll be traveling with my elderly uncle and it will depend on where you live in relation to our trip.

    Anonymous, Hugs to you and the kiddos!

    GWGT, It was difficult indeed and I must say it is not perfect-but workable for us. No tripping yet.

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  26. Hi Anonymous, things are pretty good here except for the fact that I miss you on here but the little ones are only little for such a short time so your time is better spent with them. My liliacs are blooming now so I think of you every time I look at them.

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  27. Very nice Tina, you always come with the most clever & thrifty ideas. :)

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  28. Hi Jean -send that lilac aroma my way -they don't last very long down here. It seems like ages since they were in bloom -feels more like summer here. Have a wonderful weekend -I try to peek on here -you know I learn everything I need to know from this blog. My trees and plants thank all of you fine gardeners:) Ciao

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  29. Hi Anonymous, Glad to see you on here. Miss you. Kiddos do take a lot of one's time & energy.
    Very hot here & need rain bad. Got my first tomatoes, they are goooood. Corn soon.
    Have a great weekend.

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  30. Your patio looks like it was a lot of hard work but your efforts have paid off - it looks fantastic!

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  31. Your patio looks really GREAT! I love the idea of building a patio from broken concrete. How it would be wonderful if I could lean against the back of the couch with a blue floral pattern, looking at your flowers!

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  32. You clever girl ~ I wish I would have read this before I had all the concrete (cut out for my patio screening project) hauled to the recycle center! Maybe I could have made another patio somewhere. It looks incredible. Now I'd say you deserve a break so I hope you sit on it and enjoy your garden from a reclining position for a while!

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