Rain can cause damage to a freshly poured cement patio. The raindrops cause marks in the wet cement. It also dilutes the cement to a more liquid consistency so it doesn’t set up properly. If the patio is sloped away from the house, which is a necessity, the rain can run off and leave tracks through the wet cement. Rain also can ruin potted plants on a patio by washing out the dirt and damaging the leaves. Furniture that’s gotten wet can mildew before it dries out. Keep your patio protected from heavy rains.
Tarp Protects New Cement
Place bricks or scrap wood on the outside of the patio at each corner. If the patio is more than 8 feet long on any side, stack brick every 4 feet or so. The bricks should be higher at one end than the other so the water runs off the tarp rather than forming a puddle in the middle.
Lay the tarp over the bricks without touching the patio. Have a helper hold one end while you carry the other end to the other side of the patio. Secure the tarp on top of the bricks with an additional brick or piece of scrap wood. Smooth out any creases in the tarp to stop the rain from being trapped under the crease.
Place the excess ends of the tarp on the ground and secure with an additional brick to keep the rain from seeping underneath the tarp.
Temporary Protection From Rain
Position the plastic, or waterproof chairs, around the perimeter of the patio. You’ll need at least one on each corner.
Lay the painters’ plastic drop cloth over the chairs and across the patio. You’ll probably need a helper to do this. The drop cloth should go all the way to the ground on all sides. Drape it over patio furniture and potted plants.
Tie the plastic to the chairs with the rope.
Portable Awning
Place the supports of the awning over the patio but on the ground. The awning should be slightly bigger than the patio.
Raise the awning so it just barely clears the tops of the furniture and any plants rather than to its full height. Most awnings have adjustable heights. Rain can get under the awning if it’s raised to its full height, especially if it’s windy.
Secure the supports with sandbags, or plastic gallon jugs filled with water. Follow the directions on the awning package for exactly how you do it. Some awnings require stakes to be pounded into the ground and secured with ties. If yours does, it should come with the stakes and ties.