Stamped concrete in Ross Township, PA
Ross Township is a large, mostly residential township on Pittsburgh's northern border, from Perrysville and Highcliff to Berkeley Hills and Evergreen Hamlet. Many back yards here fall away from the house, so a stamped patio usually starts with one question: how do we make it level?
Homes and yards in Ross Township
- Back yards that slope away from the house
- Old patios that have dropped at one corner
- Steps from the back door down to the yard
- Streets off McKnight Road, Perry Highway and Babcock Boulevard
Areas we cover in Ross Township
We stamp, seal and restore concrete across Ross Township, including these areas.
- Perrysville
- Berkeley Hills
- Highcliff
- Evergreen Heights and Evergreen Hamlet
- North Hills Estates
- McKnight Village
A level patio on a falling yard
When the yard drops away, a patio either sits on new fill behind a wall or steps down the slope in two levels. Fill has to go in thin, compacted layers, or it settles and the slab cracks at the low corner. Two smaller levels joined by a stamped step often need less fill and a lower wall than one big raised slab, and they follow the yard more naturally. Our guide to building a concrete patio covers the base.
Where an old patio has dropped at one end, we look for the cause before pricing a new one. A downspout emptying at that corner is a common culprit, and it costs little to fix.
On a sloped lot, rain from the yard above runs straight across the patio, so a shallow swale or a drain along the top edge keeps it off the slab. Steps from the back door down to the patio are a natural place for a stamped tread with a bullnose edge, matched to the patio. Ross surrounds the borough of West View, and permits go through whichever one your address is in, so check that first. A busy family yard does well with a mid-tone color and a deeper texture, since both hide scuffs. Slate, flagstone and cobblestone all work, and a darker release in the grooves adds depth.
Stamped concrete work in Ross Township
These are common stamped concrete jobs in Ross Township.
Getting a quote in Ross Township
Tell us about any HOA rules, and we will confirm what Ross Township needs before work starts.
Before we visit, read our guide to building a concrete patio.
Stamped concrete questions from Ross Township
Does stamped concrete crack?
Like any concrete, it can. Control joints, a well-compacted base and steel make cracks less likely and keep any that form tight. A hairline crack is also harder to spot in a stone pattern than in plain concrete.
Is stamped concrete worth it?
It usually is when you want one solid surface with a pattern for less than pavers. It's a poorer fit on ground that moves, and it needs resealing every few years to keep its color.
Should a stamped patio on a sloped Ross Township yard be built on two levels?
Often, yes. Two smaller levels joined by a stamped step usually need less fill and a lower wall than one big raised slab. Any fill under a slab has to be compacted in thin layers, or it settles.
Can stamped steps go from the back door down to a patio in Ross Township?
Yes. The steps can share the patio's pattern and color, with textured treads and a grit in the sealer for footing. On a sloped yard, each step needs a solid base so it doesn't settle away from the house.