Sidewalk made from Cement is durable and a great way to add curb appeal to your home. Sidewalks can also help direct traffic flow and improve drainage in your yard. While it is possible to lay a sidewalk on dirt, most people prefer to use gravel under their concrete walkway. This addresses a number of threats to the foundation of your sidewalk, including shifting soil and moisture buildup. It is important to note that a sidewalk is not something you want to skip over on your construction project, as it will serve you for the life of your house and beyond.
A typical sidewalk is 4 inches thick and contains reinforcing steel mesh to prevent cracking. Some concrete contractors like to add a small amount of crushed rock in the mix as well, which provides more stability and durability for your sidewalk.
Before starting on your sidewalk, you will need to purchase the necessary materials. You can get ready-mix concrete at your local hardware store, and it is usually delivered in large trucks that are capable of discharging their contents in a very short amount of time. The quantity of concrete Sidewalk made from Cement that you need will depend on how wide and long your sidewalk is. It is always a good idea to order 5% more than you need, in case of any mistakes in your measurements.
Once you have the supplies, it is time to dig out the path of your new sidewalk. Rent a sod cutter to cut off the old sod and then start digging out the pathway. The hardest part of this step is removing the existing roots and heavy clay that are in the ground.
During the excavation process, make sure to dig down 6 inches and set aside any topsoil that can be used later to fill in against your forms and sidewalk. You should also consider sloping your sidewalk down to one side to help with drainage. It is a good idea to add 2″ pvc pipes (1′ wider than the walk) at logical locations under your sidewalk, in case you need to run water lines or wiring down the future sidewalk.
When it comes to pouring your concrete sidewalk, be sure that you have enough workers. It is best to have one person directing the concrete truck and moving it from wheelbarrows to the form, while another person screeds and bull floats the concrete. Having an extra worker available to move more concrete from the truck to keep it flowing will help you finish faster.
Be sure to watch the weather report and cancel your concrete delivery if there is any chance of rain on your pour day. A quick shower in the middle of your concrete pour can cause serious problems with your sidewalk. You should also place expansion strips every 30 feet along the sidewalk and where it abuts other unyielding masonry surfaces, such as driveways and house foundations. These strips are asphalt-impregnated fibers that compress when concrete expands and help prevent heaving, cracking and buckling of the sidewalk.