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Porches & Decks Design Dilemma Building a Home

Concrete patio dilemma

3 years ago

Hello Houzzers!
We are closing on a new construction home and are planning on adding a backyard patio since the house only comes with a very small square slab of concrete by the back door.

We are considering an 11x30 ft concrete patio to span the entire back side of the house, but the issue is that our builder said any add-on that is drilled into our foundation (by an independent concrete company) will void our 8 year foundation warranty. The concrete company we spoke to said they can do it either way, drilled in foundation, or not, but that they cannot guarantee that the patio wouldn’t sink as the house settles if we chose not to drill into the foundation.

We live in Colorado, so frost and snow are common. Asking the home builder to add it is not an option, since we did not opt for their $12,000 back patio when we signed the initial contract.
Any advice on which direction we should go? Or should we forego concrete completely and look for alternatives (floating deck, etc.)? The affordability of the concrete (with a stamped look) is what we prefer but are open to other solutions or ideas.

Thank you for reading!

Featured Answer

PRO

Flo Mangan

3 years ago

I would not attach to house at all. If proper foundation is laid for new surface, settling shouldn’t be a problem. But do pay to get it done right.

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Comments (11)

Patrick A
3 years ago
Have you considered concrete pavers?
csb
Original Author
3 years ago
We did, but they said that due to the slope of our backyard, we would need a patio height of around 4 ft minimum.
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WestCoast Hopeful
3 years ago
How well was backfilling done. Settling is real.
Ilove MyLife
3 years ago
The 4 ft minimum may be due to the freeze/thaw cycles. I'd build a deck instead. Piers can be placed deep. Much cheaper.
csb
Original Author
3 years ago
Oh sorry, I meant 4 inch minimum for the minimum height.
@ Janet: would you recommend a floating deck? So nothing attached to the home?
@ west coast: I’m not sure, so that’s why we are scared to risk voiding the foundation warranty or building a detached patio. The entire neighborhood is new construction, and the builder just keeps expanding into new zones after around over a decade in this same neighborhood.
Maureen
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I wouldn’t lose the warranty. Suggest having a few companies come in to provide their thoughts and when there is a major consensus, you’ll be able to make the best decision.
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
3 years ago
Wait eight years. You can drill into the foundation and the fill would have settled.
csb
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you all for your replies. I will reach out to deck companies to try to get a quote from them.
chiflipper
3 years ago
Why the concern about the patio sinking? If sinking happens - just add a large wooden "step/landing" to the patio. Also suggest enlarging from 11 to 15 feet. PS - Living in Chicago I've never heard of drilling into the home's foundation to add a patio.
csb thanked chiflipper
WestCoast Hopeful
3 years ago
Our neighbours actually just finished a patio extension that is concrete. It is not attached to their house
csb thanked WestCoast Hopeful

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