A concrete patio around Indianapolis should sit on a compacted granular base, slope slightly away from the house, and have control joints plus an isolation joint at the foundation. Because many local soils drain slowly and lots are often flat, planning where the water goes matters as much as the slab. Check HOA rules, which are common in the suburbs.
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A poured concrete patio is one of the most common backyard upgrades around Indianapolis, from a simple slab off a ranch house in Lawrence Township to a large patio with a fire pit behind a newer home in Westfield. The outdoor season here is shorter than in the South, so people want a patio that's ready in spring and still looks good after a few winters. That comes down to drainage, base and the concrete itself.
Planning the patio
- Size for real use. Lay out furniture, a grill or a fire pit and leave room to walk around them.
- Where the sun and wind are. A south- or west-facing slab warms up early in spring; a north-facing one may stay damp and shaded longer.
- Access. Fenced yards and tight side yards in older Indianapolis neighborhoods often mean pumping concrete or wheeling it in.
- Future plans. A roof, pergola, hot tub or outdoor kitchen may need thicker concrete or footings, and roofed structures generally need a building permit.
Drainage on flat, wet lots
Much of the metro is flat, and many common central Indiana soils drain slowly. The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis notes that Brookston and Crosby soils, two of the most widespread in Marion County, are poorly drained. On a flat lot, a patio can easily become a dam that holds water against the house. Plan a slight slope away from the foundation, and think about where that water goes next. Keep downspouts and sump pump discharge from emptying onto or under the slab.
Base, frost and joints
Patios are commonly about four inches thick over a compacted granular base. The base matters more here than in milder climates: soil that stays wet and then freezes can lift a slab unevenly, especially near the house where backfill from construction may never have been compacted well. Control joints divide the slab into roughly square panels, and an isolation joint where the patio meets the foundation lets each move on its own.
Finish choices
- Broom finish: simple, economical and grippy when it's wet or frosty.
- Exposed aggregate: shows the stone in the mix and gives good traction.
- Stamped or colored: patterned to look like stone or brick. See stamped and decorative concrete.
- Smooth trowel: looks clean but can be slick, so it's less common outdoors here.
Permits and HOAs
Whether a ground-level patio needs a permit depends on your city or town, and some limit how much of a lot can be covered by hard surfaces. HOAs are very common in Hamilton County subdivisions and in newer neighborhoods throughout the metro, and many require approval for patios, size and color before work starts. If the patio sits in a drainage or utility easement shown on your plat, ask the city whether an encroachment approval is needed.
Salt and snow on patios
Patios usually see less salt than driveways, but salt tracked from the driveway or used on a back step does the same damage. Shovel instead of salting when you can, and use sand on a new patio its first winter.
Questions to ask
- How will the slab drain on my lot, and where will the water go?
- What base material and depth are included, and is the mix air-entrained?
- Where will joints go, including at the house?
- How will you get concrete to the backyard and protect the lawn?
Planning one for next season? Request a patio contractor and share a photo of the space in Indianapolis or your suburb.
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Frequently asked questions
How thick should a patio be in central Indiana?
Patios are commonly about four inches thick over a compacted granular base. A hot tub, outdoor kitchen or roof posts may need thicker concrete or footings below frost depth, so tell your contractor about future plans.
Do I need HOA approval for a patio?
Very often in Hamilton County and other newer subdivisions around Indianapolis. Many HOAs review size, location and color. Get approval in writing before scheduling the pour.
Why does water pond on my patio?
Usually the slab has settled toward the house or was poured too flat. On the slow-draining soils common around Indianapolis, a patio can also trap runoff. A low spot can sometimes be lifted; otherwise the patio may need to be repoured with better slope.
Sources and further reading
- American Concrete Institute (ACI)
- Portland Cement Association (PCA)
- City of Indianapolis: Driveway Permits
- City of Indianapolis: Right-of-Way Permits
- City of Indianapolis: Infrastructure and Right-of-Way
- City of Indianapolis: Contractor Licenses
- City of Carmel Engineering: Right-of-Way Information
- City of Carmel Engineering FAQs
- City of Fishers: Right-of-Way Contractor Registration Instructions
- City of Noblesville: Encroachment Permit Applications
- City of Noblesville: Residential New Construction Standards
- City of Westfield: Apply for a Permit
- Town of Zionsville: Right-of-Way Management and Permits
- City of Greenwood: Right-of-Way/Street Cut Permit Application
- Purdue Extension: Indiana Soils, Evaluation for Agriculture and Home Sites (ID-72)
- Encyclopedia of Indianapolis: Geology
- Purdue Joint Transportation Research Program: Concrete Pavement and Deicing Salts
- Indiana Attorney General: Storm Chaser and Home Improvement Contract Tips
- Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor: 811 Call Before You Dig
- Indiana 811
- Citizens Energy Group: Permits and Forms