Porcelain tile has become an increasingly popular choice for patios and decks — and for good reason. Compared to traditional concrete or paving stones, porcelain tile is non-porous, highly durable, and exceptionally low-maintenance. It resists stains, frost damage, and fading without requiring regular sealing, making it an excellent long-term investment for homeowners who want both performance and style.

In this particular project, the original porcelain patio had been installed incorrectly on a base of gravel and road base material. Within just over a year, the base began to settle, causing significant movement throughout the patio. The project became even more challenging because the 2-foot-high retaining wall supporting the patio and surrounding mulch had also shifted on the soft bank of a nearby waterway, pushing outward by nearly two inches. The result was a severely uneven and potentially dangerous patio surface.

To begin the restoration, our team carefully removed the existing porcelain tiles, cleaned them, and neatly stacked them on pallets for reuse. Due to the limited backyard access, we brought in our smallest excavator — only 30 inches wide — to excavate the sinking fill material. We then demolished and removed the failing concrete retaining wall before preparing the site for a completely new structural foundation.

Next, we formed, reinforced, and poured a new charcoal-colored retaining wall complete with rebar reinforcement. We also installed 40 feet of trench drainage and new drainage outlets to ensure long-term water management and stability. Once the groundwork was complete, we poured a new 4-inch-thick reinforced concrete patio slab, tying it securely into the retaining wall with epoxy and rebar connections.

The final stage is where the transformation truly came to life.

We reinstalled the original porcelain tiles using pedestal supports known as "Blackjacks" over the new concrete slab. This elevated system allows for excellent drainage beneath the surface while maintaining a perfectly level finish. The end result is a sleek, modern patio that hides the extensive structural work completed underneath. We also reinstalled the Allan Block staircase and completed the surrounding landscape cleanup for a polished final presentation.

The finished patio looks incredible — and most importantly, it is now safe, structurally sound, and built to last.

Most rewarding of all was seeing our customers thrilled with the outcome.

"We couldn't be happier with the final result and would highly recommend Moore & Sons to anyone considering a similar project," says homeowner Elroy Jespersen. "We also made the project quite challenging by requesting a herringbone pattern, which required a tremendous amount of measuring, cutting, and fitting to get everything just right. The results exceeded our expectations."