How to Cement Sidewalks
- 1). Place your hardboard strips in place where you want your sidewalk. Hammer stakes in on either side of the hardboard to hold it in place.
- 2). Spray inside the hardboard form to indicate where to dig with the marking spray.
- 3). Remove the sod with the sod removal tool. To utilize the tool, cut through the sod and then press the handle down until the blade is horizontal. Shove the blade of the tool under the sod with a motion reminiscent of scooping a pizza out of an oven. Stack the sod nearby in case you need it to fill in after making the sidewalk. You can compost anything you don't use.
- 4). Dig down 6 inches where the sidewalk will be. Level out the pathway but don't overly worry about it because you will pour gravel on top to even it out.
- 5). Place the 6-inch hardboard edging along the pathway and secure it in place by staking along the outside and screwing through the hardboard into the stakes.
- 6). Fill the bottom of the pathway with 4 inches of pea gravel. Level the gravel with a metal rake.
- 7). Mix the cement with pea gravel and sand in a 1 to 3 to 2 ratio in the wheelbarrow. Mix the dry ingredients well first and then add water slowly, mixing well between water adds until it is pancake mix or thicker but still pourable.
- 8). Use the edge of a 2-by-4-inch board to smooth the cement sidewalk. Have one person on each side of the sidewalk and saw back and forth with the 2-by-4-inch board till you've smoothed the whole surface.
- 9). Insert expansion strips at least every 30 feet but you can use them at closer intervals if you want. Also, insert expansion strips against foundations or at the ends of the sidewalk.
- 10
Cover the cement walkway with plastic sheeting overnight. Wet down the fresh cement for three days after pouring the sidewalk.
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