We build fire pit pads, rings and seat walls that drain and that keep the fire off bare concrete. Check the city fire rules for placement before we lay it out.
A fire pit gets used on cool evenings from spring into late fall here, and then it sits under snow for months. We build the pad, the ring and any seat wall as one planned job. The pad is exterior concrete on a compacted base, sloped so rain and meltwater drain away. The pit itself needs a drain hole or a gravel bottom, because a bowl that fills with water will crack when it freezes.
Heat is the other concern. Ordinary concrete can crack or pop when it is heated hard, especially if it is damp. The inside of the pit is lined with fire brick or a steel insert, and the concrete stays outside that liner. A seat wall is set back far enough to be comfortable and gets its own footing so frost does not tip it.
Open burning and recreational fires are covered by city fire rules, which set things like distance from buildings and what you may burn. We did not confirm the current Sioux Falls figures, so check with the fire department before you settle on a location. Gas fire pits need a gas line installed by the proper trade before the concrete goes down, so tell us early if that is the plan.
Concrete fire pits in Sioux Falls: common questions
Can I build a fire directly on my concrete patio?
It is a bad idea. Direct heat can crack and pop the surface, and the damage is permanent. Use a pit with a fire brick or steel liner, or a raised fire bowl with a heat shield under it.
Will a concrete fire pit crack in winter?
It can if water collects in it and freezes. A drain at the bottom, a cover and a pad that slopes away prevent most of that.
How far from the house does a fire pit need to be?
The city fire code sets that distance. We have not confirmed the current number, so we do not quote one. Call the fire department's non-emergency line, then we lay the pad out to suit.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We visit and measure.
- Written quote: Clear pricing with finish options.
- Prep & forms: We excavate, grade, compact the base and set forms and reinforcement.
- Pour, finish & cure: We pour, finish, cut control joints and tell you when you can use it.