Concrete Patios in College Station, TX

Concrete patios turn a strip of grass or a small builder slab into a place to eat, grill and sit outside most of the year. College Station winters are mild, with average January highs around 62 degrees, so a patio here gets used from early spring well into fall. The work is simpler than a driveway, but the details still matter: where the water goes, how thick the slab is under heavy items, and how hot the surface gets in the sun.

Extending a builder patio

About 44.5% of College Station homes were built between 2000 and 2019, according to ACS data summarized by Point2Homes. Many of those homes came with a small slab under a covered porch that fits a table and little else. Extending that slab is a practical way to get more room without tearing anything out. We square up the old slab's edge, set epoxied steel dowels into it, and place the addition so both pieces stay locked together. The new surface is set at the same height so there is no lip to trip over.

Slope and drainage

With about 41.75 inches of rain a year in College Station, often in heavy storms, a patio has to shed water quickly and send it away from the foundation. We set a slight fall across the slab, away from the house, and look at where gutters discharge before we pour. A patio that holds water stays slick, grows mildew and can let water reach the foundation edge.

Signs it is time for a new patio

• A builder slab too small for a table and grill
• Panels that have cracked, dropped or tipped from settling or roots
• Rain that stands on the surface or drains toward the house
• Old pavers or flagstone that have shifted and sprouted weeds
• A surface that is pitted, flaking or stained past cleaning

Thickness and heavy loads

HomeGuide notes that most residential patios are at least 4 inches thick, and that hot tubs and outdoor kitchens call for 6 inches with extra reinforcement. We ask what is going on the patio now and what you might add later, because thickening a slab after it is poured is not possible. A hot tub full of water is one of the heaviest things that will ever sit on your property.

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Finishes that work in the heat

• Broom finish: simple, low cost and good traction when wet
• Smooth trowel with a light broom: a cleaner look under a covered porch
• Exposed aggregate: HomeGuide lists it at about $7 to $18 per square foot; the stone surface hides wear and gives grip
• Stained or colored: lighter tones stay cooler than dark ones in direct sun
• Stamped: covered on our stamped concrete page

Dark colors and dense, smooth finishes get hot to bare feet in August. If the patio is not covered, we usually suggest a lighter color and a textured surface.

Care after the pour

Keep furniture and grills off the patio for about a week while it gains strength. HomeGuide says plain, stained or stamped concrete patios can last 30 to 50 years with regular maintenance. Sweep it often, rinse off pollen and leaf stains, and seal it every few years to keep out grease and mildew.