It is looking better all the time

I just got in from taking a couple more pictures of the patio. It is looking much less black now, which is a great relief.

Just compare this picture to the first ones I posted, and you will see what I mean. I think once they come back monday and add the additional top coat and sealant, it will look truly stunning.


Here is a closeup of the curved stairwell that was poured. This is great. We wish the faucet wasn't right next to the stairs, because this would have allowed wider stairs, without the big drop on either side, but this is a minor thing.

Initial Work on the Sprinkler System

Yesterday, Brandon was out working on installing the sprinkler system. Here is a shot of the "main line" which will supply water out to the rest of the back yard. At the far end of this trench, he will install the valvebox which controls the different sprinkler stations.

What a difference a day makes

Yesterday was the first day the concrete guys were here, and they poured the patio! Now, we were a little uncertain about the color to choose for the patio and finally settled on a "slate" color. The process for getting the finished product goes something like this: pour a base of stained concrete, wait a couple days, add a top color which really determines the final look, and then a sealer once everything is dialed in.

So this is not going to be the final color, its too dark in my opinion. It will be interesting to see how the finished version compares to these shots. I have my fingers crossed that we will get something that looks great and is also beautiful. Everyone has said, it will look kinda ugly for a couple days until it is finished up on Monday.



This is a close up, and you can really see the texture. When the top coat is added, it will really pull out the three dimensions of the texture even more. Unfortunately, it was overcast this morning when I took these pictures, and the flat light does not help too much with bring out the true color.

Getting a lot done

Yesterday, my impatience or frustration with slow progress was put to ease. A lot got done, as the concrete contractors where here forming the patio (which will be poured today actually) and a trenching contractor was here as well. You can see the trenches in this photo:

This shot is a closeup of the patio layout. My next post should show the concrete has been poured. Next week they will come back and add some additional coloring to it to make it pretty. Also next week, we expect the sidewalk, dog run and firepit to be done.


Here is a shot of the firepit do date. There is a little more excavation work, then the retaining wall and steps will be built. This is scheduled for saturday. We will have a five foot concrete apron around the fire pit for camp chairs, etc. The pit itself is 1.5 feet deep recessed, which is the Traverse Mountain HOA regulation, because it tends to be breezy up here. Since the whole firepit area is already 5 feet below yard grade, we are in even better shape.

Getting ready for the Sprinklers, Concrete, etc.

Here are a couple pictures of the work that was completed yesterday. The main thing is that the yard has been completely graded, and the lines for the trenches have been drawn with paint. We are still concerned about the west side of the house where the dog run goes has not been touched yet, and the fire pit was not excavated to the correct size. These are things I plan to bring up with the contractor today.