Concrete Patios in San Marcos
A concrete patio in San Marcos is one of the easiest ways to get more use out of a back yard. We connect you with a licensed local contractor who will price yours for free.
The Short Version
- Free visit and written price
- Slope the slab away from the house
- Deep cuts can need a grading permit
- Plan joints for clay soil
Plan the Space
Start with what you want to do out there. Eat, grill, sit in the shade, park a trailer. Then mark the shape on the ground and live with it for a few days. Changes are free before the forms go in.
Slope and Water
Every patio needs a slight slope so rain runs away from the house and off the slab. Ask where the water will go once it leaves the patio, and make sure it is not toward a neighbor.
Grading on a Hillside Lot
Many San Marcos yards sit on a slope. The city requires a grading permit for an excavation two feet or more deep, or one that creates a slope over five feet high and steeper than 1.5 to 1. A level patio on a hill can need a wall, too. See our retaining wall page.
Finish
A broom finish is simple and grips well. Stamped and colored concrete looks like stone or tile. Light colors stay cooler in the sun. Sealing helps with stains from grills and planters.
Questions
Does a patio on a slope need a permit in San Marcos?
If the dig is two feet or deeper, or it makes a slope over five feet high and steeper than 1.5 to 1, the city requires a grading permit.
Which finish should I pick for a patio?
It depends on use. Broom finish grips well, stamped looks like stone, and light colors stay cooler.