Concrete Patios in Port St. Lucie, FL

Concrete Patios get used year-round in Port St. Lucie, where the Fort Pierce weather normals show average highs in the 70s even in January. Yet many homes, especially those built in the 2000s, came with a small slab under a covered lanai and not much else. A patio extension turns that into room for a table, a grill, an outdoor kitchen or a sitting area off the screen enclosure, and it adds usable living space without adding a room.

Common patio projects

• Lanai extensions: extending the slab beyond the covered area so the outdoor space is bigger than the roof
• Stand-alone patios: a slab out in the yard for a fire pit, seating or a shade structure
• Grill and outdoor kitchen pads: a thicker area sized for the weight of a built-in kitchen or counters
• Walkways and side yard paths: concrete from the driveway to the back gate, or along the side of the house where grass will not grow
• Replacing pavers or old slabs: removing a sunken paver area or a cracked slab and pouring new

Slope and drainage come first

With about 51 inches of rain a year and frequent summer storms, a patio that holds water becomes a slippery, algae-stained problem, and one that slopes toward the house sends water against the wall. We set a fall of about 1/8 to 1/4 inch per foot away from the house and plan where that water goes next, whether that is the lawn, a swale or a drain. Where a new slab meets an existing lanai slab, we match the slope and use an isolation joint so the two move independently.

Ground prep on sandy lots

Sandy Florida soil can be easy to dig but must be compacted properly, and any dark organic layer or old roots should come out first. We dig to firm ground, add compacted base, and keep downspouts and irrigation from soaking the edges of the slab. A patio that settles at one corner is almost always a base or drainage problem, not a concrete problem.

Get a Free Estimate

Finishes that work barefoot

Patios here are walked on barefoot, wet and in direct sun, so the finish matters more than in a cooler place.

• Broom finish: simple, grippy and the lowest cost
• Exposed aggregate: textured, hides dirt and offers good grip
• Stamped or stained: pattern and color that look like stone or tile; see our stamped concrete page
• Light colors: lighter concrete stays cooler underfoot than dark tints

A sealer helps resist staining from grills, leaves and mildew, which grows readily in humid weather.

Thickness and reinforcement

Most patios are 4 inches thick with rebar or wire mesh. If you plan an outdoor kitchen, a hot tub, or columns for a future roof, the slab under them needs to be thicker or have footings. Tell us your plans during the estimate so we build for the load, not just for today.

Permits and HOA approval

Whether a backyard patio needs a permit depends on where you live and what else is part of the job, such as a roof, screen enclosure or plumbing. We check the requirements for your address. In HOA communities, get architectural approval before the pour; many associations want to see the size and finish first. The City's 80% impervious-area limit on residential lots is also worth keeping in mind on a large addition.

Caring for a new patio

Keep furniture and grills off for several days, and avoid heavy loads until the concrete has cured. Rinse off leaves and pool chemicals rather than letting them sit. If the patio is sealed, plan to reseal every few years when water stops beading on the surface.