Building a sidewalk…2 questions:?
I have a fairly large yard that is not fenced. However before I built my house and moved in the yard was just a pile of trash. I am working on cleaning it up very slowly and at baby steps. I want a garden and flowers, but can’t right now because I don’t have a fence to keep deer away.
Anyway, my driveway is just dirt and gravel and ends where the grass starts. I would like to build a walkway from the end of the driveway to the front steps and a pathway that would break off and go to the side door. What time of things do I need other than concrete mix to accomplish this and what are the steps.
Also, I’m not to the point of building a deck or porch yet, but would like to have a sitting area out ide with patio chairs and tables but don’t want it to be in a pile of grass where I will have bugs crawling all over me. I was thinking of buying some of those large walkway stones to make an area that is at least big enough for a porch swing, hammock, or two sitting chairs and a grill. When I put these stones down, do I just arrange them and place them or do I need to dig a little bit and set them IN the ground? Will they stay put or shift as I move furniture around on it? Any tips?
Your best bet for both the walk and pathway would be patio stones which you can lay yourself. These come in a variety of sizes and colors. All you need to do is remove the turf and dig out about 2" to 3" of soil, add some crushed rock, and level it out. Place your patio stones on top, making sure they are level. This should do very nicely for the amount of traffic you’ll have. Don’t worry about moving furniture, the stones won’t move once they have settled in.
September 29th, 2009 at 10:05 am
call the phone book
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September 29th, 2009 at 10:54 am
Your best bet for both the walk and pathway would be patio stones which you can lay yourself. These come in a variety of sizes and colors. All you need to do is remove the turf and dig out about 2" to 3" of soil, add some crushed rock, and level it out. Place your patio stones on top, making sure they are level. This should do very nicely for the amount of traffic you’ll have. Don’t worry about moving furniture, the stones won’t move once they have settled in.
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September 29th, 2009 at 11:01 am
Most people build a frame out of 2×4 to hold the concrete when poured, also the ground needs a layer of gravel on top to hold the concrete. We use a 2×4 and pull it across the top of the frame when poured to level the wet concrete out. Then you can score it or broom it down.
Most people set the stones in sand to keep them from moving. Good luck you have alot of work cut out for yourself.
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September 29th, 2009 at 11:31 am
Well for the sidewalk you need the quick crete or whatever brand your using, a wheelbarrow or concrete mixer (portable), forms, a mason line, concrete trowels, a bull float with pole, 4′ or 6′ level and some water. But first you need to dig out for the depth of the concrete you want. Get either a hand compactor or a power compactor and compact the ground good. Its a good idea to dump a layer of 1/2" rock down after you dig out the area needed, this will streghthen the footing. You will then need to make some forms so you have something to shape the concrete and make it level. This can be done with some 2×6 pine boards and some 2×2 wood stakes cut at a peak on 1 end. Simply mix the concrete per bag instructions and pour it in the area its needed, you can also streghthen your concrete by adding some 1/2" rock to the mix.
For your walkway stones i would dig it out a little bit so the stones will stay in place. It’s also a good idea to put down some heavy weed cloth so you don’t get those pesky weeds popping through. You can then arrange them as you like them. This takes a little time but it’ll sure look good when your done.
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I’ve done alot of concrete work.
September 29th, 2009 at 11:46 am
What? Do you want a side walk before you build the house? Garden, flowers, deer, trash, baby steps, fenced, What What What?
How long and wide?
You are going to mix, How much? Maybe you should get a cement truck to deliver.
Think out, how the concrete will be made and moved around. These are the critical issues you need to consider.
Large yard = Large side walk = Large quantities of concrete. We don’t know. You did not tell us, but we do know everything else.
All answers are disqualified because of ……….
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