Replacing a Concrete Walkway

Replacing a concrete walkway does not have to be an extended stressful project and doing this may really improve the appearance of your home and lawn. We have all seen beautiful homes with exquisite landscaping, only to have the effect ruined by a concrete walkway that is cracked, in bad repair, or needs replacing. Replacing the concrete walkway on your property can be done one of two ways, you can hire a professional or you can do the job yourself. The method you choose will depend on the budget for the project, your knowledge and experience, and your confidence in the ability to do the job correctly and professionally.

Closely inspect the concrete walkway, and look for issues such as cracks, crumbling concrete, an uneven surface or one that is no longer level because of settling, and even staining. Determine if any of these factors are present, because if your concrete walkway is not level and in good condition and repair, it may need to be replaced. Replacing a concrete driveway involves five basic steps: the demolition phase, the grading phase, the forming phase, the placing phase, and the finishing phase. Consider your options and determine the best concrete and color to use. Walkways generally require an exterior grade concrete that has a psi (pounds or pressure per square inch) between twenty five hundred and three thousand pounds of pressure. The concrete chosen should also have agents included for air-entraining. These additives allow small air pockets which are microscopic to form in the concrete as it dries and cures. This is important because ice crystals can form in these pockets during cold weather so that the surface and structure of the concrete is not damaged. Make sure you choose the right concrete type and mix for your walkway to prevent problems later on.

Demolition means tearing up the existing concrete walkway. This can be done with a jackhammer for the fastest and easiest method. A jackhammer can normally be rented if you do not own one, and the fee is usually around fifty dollars depending on your location. After the demolition is complete, the soil must be graded and compacted, to ensure a level surface and prevent settling to occur after the concrete walkway is poured. The next step is forming the concrete, and this is done by using forms to line the edges of the walkway. Forms can be purchased or made, but ensure that they are strong enough to keep the concrete from spilling out of them. Forms are intended to hold the wet concrete in place while it dries and cures, and is an important step to the perfect walkway.

Once the forms are set in place and are completely leveled, the concrete is placed and a process called screeding is necessary. Mix and pour the concrete into the form, making sure that it is level with the top of the forms. This is why grading the soil under the concrete is important, to prevent any areas which are not level. After the concrete has been poured, you must screed it. Screeding involves taking a two by four or other board, and sliding it along the top of the form to remove any excess concrete in thin layers.

Pouring the concrete means bringing it to the location needed in a wheelbarrow, because most driveways can not hold the weight of a concrete truck. Use a shovel that has a square head, and place the concrete in the form one shovel full at a time until the form is full and the concrete is an even level all the way through the form. Now screed the concrete to remove any extra concrete. The last chore is finishing the concrete and walkway. Use a float and smooth the surface of the concrete by making a couple of passes. Do not make too many passes though, or the surface of the concrete may become weakened. The edges of the concrete must also be finished, and control joints must be cut.

Control joints must be cut because concrete will always have cracks, and the control joints will allow the cracks to occur in places that are chosen, instead of all over the place. Control joints should be cut to a depth of approximately one fourth the depth of the concrete, and these cuts should be completely straight. After the concrete walkway is finished, cover it with plastic and leave it on for two or three days. These steps can help you replace a concrete walkway, and get a beautiful and professional looking result to add to the appeal of your home.

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