[RobertinMT]

Making a 12'x10'x4" concrete patio in backyard using quick crete, and stepfather says to breakdown into 12 sections and pour in checker board pattern then fill rest in and then smooth. Uncle says to return quick crete to Lowe's and have local company come in and pour 1 slab. I need to persuade stepfather to understand what the best solution is and why it must be done so. Otherwise I think that I will be wasting materials and my time thank you Robert ps if you have more questions regarding e-mail me: [email protected]

[hkstroud]

Uncle is correct. Call local concrete company, ask price of 1 1/2 yards. Concrete needs to be poured all in one pour. Bagged stuff is not same strength as concrete company's. Do you have mixer? Even with mixer it's a lot of hard work. You can't mix and pour that much, by yourself, fast enough. Even if you could, would it be worth the cost savings, if any.

[twinkiedooter]

Have the professional grade of concrete poured all at once. This do it yourself with sakrete is not a good idea having this much area to cover. Sakrete is really not for use for this much area. More like fence post holes, etc. The slab will NEVER be right and all you will be doing it making Lowe's rich keeping on going there and buying more and more to cover up your initial mistakes. Do the wooden rough frame, call the cement mixer, pour, smooth, and enjoy for years to come. It should cost about the same initially and last a heck of a lot longer to boot in the long run.

[Mapleleafpete]

Mixing cement is a huge job and costs a fourtune.A local cement company is the way to go,make sure your surface is prepared properly also.If you are in an area where it gets cold the pad will shift and crack over time.I live in the north in canada and it can get down to -50 degress in the winter,when the frost moves the ground nothing can stop it, preparation is essential.Most people up here will do like your stepfather said to do, pour it in sections with tintest as your frost joint.This allows the pad to move in sections with out the frost breaking the pad.. good luck.