Our Old Patio Needs to be Replaced
by
Kirt N
+11
I need some recommendations on what to do with all of this....The pavers are old school house bricks. This house used to be a school in 1947. Remodeled into a home in 1957. The table is solid concrete, we would like to keep that and the grill, but not sure how to repair the grill. Any ideas? This patio is raised above the parking area about 2'. It also needs retaining walls. Thought about just digging it all up, level with the parking area, but I don't want to try to remove the table or grill. I'm stuck on what to do.
12 answers
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I love the old vintage style! I bet the home is wonderful too! Spray the weeds with roundup maybe power wash the table and walk. Can't wait to see after shots of what you came up with and what was done! :)
Nancy Hand
on Sep 14, 2013
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@Kirt N I am not an expert in concrete so will leave that to those with some expertise. I think where I would start before making other decisions would be to get the vegetation somewhat under control Quicly remove them from between the pavers just round up them then spray wash them out or pick them. Around the bbq trim it back and figure which are weeds and which are perennials. I think once you clear the plants your vision will open up. Repost pics and ask for more suggestions.
Gail Salminen
on Sep 14, 2013
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You could use vinegar on those weeds and then wash off. Roundup is nasty, nasty stuff and you really don't want to hose that off into the surrounding area.
Catherine Smith
on Sep 14, 2013
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If you power wash the bricks you will loose some if that patina.
Andy Flachs
on Sep 16, 2013
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I like what you have.. I think plants in the cracks have you overwhelmed.. if you just do general clean up Round up or what ever the plants, clean around the grill of the plants leaves and debris bleach and water on the picnic table will clean it,if you are worried about its looks (I like the way it looks "aged") But over all its a nice space... more flowering plants as a background but clear out around the grill that will add wonders to the appeal. Its hard to tell what coating is on the bricks it it is just paint rather than ceramic check with your local Home improvement store there may be a way to repaint them to a neutral color that matches the grill better and updates the overall look. that could be much less expensive than tearing it all down,
Buster Evans
on Sep 16, 2013
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I agree with the other, I would start with getting rid of the weeds.
Heidi Colton
on Sep 16, 2013
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This is a new Aquascape product that can add a touch of water, creating a more relaxing area for you to enjoy. It is easy to install and inexpensive and a great way to get more enjoyment out of the space and keep the existing pavers.
Chris' Water Gardens
on Sep 16, 2013
- See 1 previous
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step #1 is the WEEDS.. I hate ROUNDUP but do use it in certain areas.. here would be one! BUT, only AFTER you are done enjoying it for the season..after you rid it of them then use the vinegar, spritz all new ones ASAP. I'd then prune the shrubs-trees to help keep the area cleaner and yard junk off the area more work-less fun...DECLUTTER everything to the BARE bones. CLEAN ~Scrub scrub scrub. it may tell you what you can save and reuse. STEP #4 REPAIR.. get a pro opinion on the grill area. maybe its just better to redo, DOES IT WORK properly? Reuse those bricks in a new design like a surround for a gas grill or wood smoker, wood (pizza) oven or fire pit, the bricks are wonderful.. FLOORING -I'd remove and replace, some are broken, and uneven.Turn them over and make a new design. thats a lot of brick to remove and redo..White is not good ,,will always look grungy when you have grass, weeds, dirt close by. I'd use in the retaining wall, part with seating.. This floor design screams upkeep and weed, very crack or space is a weed waiting to be pulled time and time again....make it easy on yourself. Go with big tiles or poured floor with detail brick around the edge. I'd top the area with an outdoor area rug, just hose off easy clean. Especially if you keep the brick. TABLE - A HEAVY MONSTER,, good scrub or powerwash, seal it or paint the top to look like the stains they use for cement countertops. Make it workspace-counterspace-serve area, remove 1 bench. If it moves without breaking use it for a perimiter seating..They now have NEW outdoor fabric-vinal laminated to cotton ( think kids raincoat fabric w/ home dec fabric look).. I'd give the slab a nice tablecloth washable for ease, or the vinal for prep sanitation.. if you don't paint it .. have matching dec fabric cushion for the the bench areas and chairs. this is a nice huge space.. lots of work but a wonderful outdoor room..just waiting..
Wanda sinnema
on Sep 16, 2013
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Why not put some ceramic tiles on the table and benches? There are a lot of choices in tiles you could use. Love the old bricks and would keep them. Add some potted plants around and on edge of patio. Rebuild the bbq pit using the same stones. Keep us posted on the progress and finished product.
Pam
on Sep 16, 2013
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Here are a few considerations. I would be aware of the fact pressure washing will remove muck but also removes the natural patina which is nearly impossible to recapture. Unless you are really skilled and know how to "feather out" the clean areas from the not so clean areas its a PITA to finish your work. Its really not such a difficult task to take a knee and MANUALLY remove the vegetation from the pavers. Actually in the grand scheme of home maintenance it's pretty simple. Remember to grab some of your NEIGHBORS favorite beverages and a fan to make sure half the street can smell the BBQ . You have a pretty cool history to the property I would do all I could to maintain that charm and craftsmanship.
Wamsher Construction
on Sep 17, 2013
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As far as the table and benches they make concrete finish is all kinds of colors really pretty.
Vickie
on Sep 19, 2013
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Thanks for the weed recommendations, but that's not really my question. We have decided to take up the ceramic bricks, and replace with rock, leaving the grill and table in the same places they are now. Removing or moving the old grill and table are not good ideas. They are very heavy, and are made of a thick sand stone. Very easy to break. We are going to add retaining walls, since the original walls are very brittle, and almost completely gone. I'm not as concerned about the weeds at this point, since they will be gone when we remove the bricks and level the ground, after removing the roots from the trees. Thanks for the comments though.
Kirt N
on May 14, 2014
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