Home & Garden
Straight answers for patios, slabs, driveways and yard projects — how much to order, how to prep, when to call a pro. Each guide links to local businesses that do the work.
How much concrete do I need for a patio?
Work out cubic yards for a concrete patio with one formula, add a sensible overage, and decide between bagged mix and a truck delivery.
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How to pour a small concrete slab
A step-by-step guide to pouring a shed pad, landing or small slab: call 811, build the base and forms, place and finish the concrete, and cure it properly.
Stamped vs. plain concrete: which is right for your project?
How stamped concrete differs from plain broom-finished concrete in look, installation, slip resistance and maintenance — so you can pick the right finish.
Pouring and curing concrete in cold weather
What counts as cold weather for concrete, why fresh concrete must not freeze, and practical ways to protect a pour with blankets, heated mixes and timing.
Gravel bases for concrete slabs, patios and pavers
Why concrete needs a firm, uniform base, which gravel to use, how to compact it in lifts, and how to order base rock by the ton.
How to order a short load of concrete
What a short load is, how volumetric trucks differ from ready-mix, and the checklist of details to have ready when you call a concrete supplier for a small pour.
How to choose a concrete contractor
A practical checklist for hiring a concrete contractor: verify the license and insurance, compare written estimates line by line, and spot red flags.
Concrete driveway basics: thickness, base, joints and care
What goes into a durable concrete driveway: base, thickness for your vehicles, air-entrained concrete in freeze–thaw climates, joints, curing and winter care.
Concrete vs. asphalt driveways
A plain-English comparison of concrete and asphalt driveways — how they are built, how they handle heat, cold and salt, and what upkeep each needs.
Call 811 before you dig: how utility locates work
Why you should contact 811 before digging for fences, footings, trenches or boring, how long it takes, and what each utility marking color means.
Concrete testing basics: slump, air and cylinders
What a slump test, air test and compression cylinders tell you about your concrete, when testing is required, and how to find a materials testing lab.
Getting a new water well: what homeowners should know
Planning a private water well: hiring a licensed driller, permits and setbacks, what to ask before drilling, and the annual water tests EPA and CDC recommend.
Photos are real job-site photos — owner-provided photos or Wikimedia Commons files under their stated licenses. Photo credits.