Concrete Patios in Rio Rancho, NM

Concrete patios in Rio Rancho get used for a big part of the year. Spring and fall afternoons are mild, summer evenings cool off quickly at this elevation, and a good back patio becomes the place for a grill, a table and a view of the Sandias. Many homes, though, came with only a token slab at the back door. Enlarging it, or replacing one that has cracked or sunk, is usually the most direct way to make the backyard usable.

Planning the patio

Before we talk about finish or color, we talk about use:

• Size. Seating six with space to slide chairs back takes more room than most people guess. We paint or string the outline on the ground first so you can stand in it.
• Shape. Square corners are simplest; curved edges look softer and fit gardens and walls better.
• Loads. Hot tubs, outdoor kitchens and heavy planters need a thicker slab. HomeGuide's patio guide recommends 6 inches with added reinforcement for those, versus 4 inches for a standard patio.
• Shade. If a patio cover or pergola is planned, footings and posts should be located before the pour, not cut in later.

Water and the house

Because a patio butts up to the foundation, its pitch matters more than on almost any other slab. It needs a gentle fall away from the house, and roof runoff from the back of the home should be carried past the patio instead of dumping onto it. Rio Rancho gets most of its rain in July and August storms, and water that runs back toward the house soaks the ground next to the foundation. The New Mexico Bureau of Geology lists added water from roof runoff and irrigation among the causes of soil collapse in parts of the state, which is another reason we take patio drainage seriously.

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Extending an existing patio

A sound existing patio does not have to go. We can add on, pinning the new concrete to the old with dowels so the two move together, and a joint between them keeps cracks from wandering. A perfect color match between old and new concrete is not possible, so some homeowners choose a different finish or a border to make the difference look intentional.

Finishes that work in the sun

A light broom finish gives traction and stays cooler than dark surfaces. Exposed aggregate adds texture and hides dust. Stamped and colored concrete is popular for patios, and we cover it on its own page. Whatever the finish, a sealer helps the surface shed water in winter and resist stains from grills and planters.