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How To Build a Walkway Part 2

Glue an isolation board (expansion joint) to steps, the house foundation, or other permanent structures that adjoin the walkway.

Reinforce the walkway with #3 steel rebar. For a 3 ft. wide walkway, lay two sections of rebar spaced evenly inside the project area. Use bolsters (chairs) to support the rebar (make sure the bolsters re at least 2' below the tops of the forms. Bend rebar to follow any angles or curves, and overlap pieces at angled joints by 12". Mark locations for control joints (to be cut by a groover later) by tacking nails to the outside faces of the forms, spaced roughly at 3 ft. intervals.

Calculate how much concrete you need and place your order for concrete. Spray the inside of the forms with form oil so the forms will remove easily from the concrete.

Pour the concrete in the forms. Do not drive ready mix truck over the grass or existing concrete. The weight of the truck will cause much damage. Wheel concrete if you have plenty of help (5 wheelbarrow loads is about 1 cubic yard). Or, use a concrete pumper if you are pouring 5 or more yards.

Use a screed board to level the concrete.

After pouring all the concrete, run a spade along the inside edges of the form, then rap the outside edges of the forms with a hammer to help settle to concrete.

Smooth the surface with a wood float. Precut control joints at marked locations using a trowel and a straightedge.

Run an edger against the forms.

Cut control joints using a groover and a straightedge as a guide. Use a float to smooth our any tool marks.

Create a textured, non-skid surface by drawing a clean, stiff-bristled broom across the surface. Avoid overlapping the broom marks. Cover the walkway with plastic and let the concrete cure for one week.