How to Create a Patio Base

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Patios add beauty and function to backyards. Building a patio yourself can save money and allow the freedom to create something that fits perfectly with your family's style and needs. Creating the perfect base for your patio will ensure that your creation will last for many years to come.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step1

Determine how to work with the landscape you have. Although it may be ideal to have your large patio all on one level, bringing in dirt and trying to level out the land and re-landscape may cost much more than you anticipated. Consider options where you can have multi-level patios by adding a few steps and leave your land as it is.

Step2

Mark off the area where your new patio base will be. Use inexpensive wooden or metal stakes and landscaping ribbon to outline the land.

Step3

Clear the land where you plan to build your patio. There needs to be enough space to add approximately 4 inches of gravel for the base. The area should also be leveled.

Step4

Check for proper drainage around the patio area. The standard is to have 2 vertical inches for every 8 horizontal feet of patio planned.

Step5

Pour class-5 gravel in the area you have marked, cleared and leveled. Pound the patio base down with a tamper so it lies flat, even and smooth. This will ensure that your patio will remain level and have enough support no matter what material you choose for the patio surface.