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Generally speaking, adding concrete landscaping features will cause your property taxes to increase. That’s because projects that involve a permanent concrete foundation require permits and permanently improve the land. Since taxes are based on improvements, your taxes will go up. Here are some projects that will likely have an impact on your taxes:

• Concrete pool decks

• Concrete patios

• Concrete walkways

• Concrete driveways

• Concrete steps

• Concrete foundations

Since most of these will only lead to a partial improvement, you can expect the bump in your taxes to be minimal, but this is still something to consider.

Yes, you can pour new concrete over old concrete, but you need to apply a concrete bonding agent to the existing concrete to ensure the new concrete sticks. Keep in mind that even with a bonding agent, large cracks and other flaws will still come through. If the concrete has heaved, settled, or cracked, pouring new concrete on top won’t address any root structural problems. Removing the existing concrete and rebuilding will be your best solution in that case.

A concrete pathway is very durable and can last upward of 30 years under normal conditions. Heavy snowfall and excessive heat may decrease this lifespan over time, as can vehicle traffic and salt applications during freezing conditions. Homeowners in extreme climates might notice cracking and deterioration after just 15 years, while those in more temperate climates should see multiple decades of life from their concrete.

In most cases, you’ll want your patio to be 4 inches thick, although you should add reinforcement and increase the thickness up to around 8 inches if you want it to support heavier loads and resist cracking more readily. Although thicker slabs will cost more, you’ll start seeing diminishing returns at around 6 inches.