Case Study 11 - Concrete Walkway, Landing. Concrete, forms, broken concrete repair, techniques, photos, masonry services. Stone fireplaces, cultured stone.

Case Study 1 - Chimney Repair Case Study 2 - Concrete Countertop Case Study 3 - Parging Examples, Tools & Techniques Case Study 4 - Fireplace Brick Replacement Case Study 5 - Tile Installation Case Study 6 - Chimney Flue Replacement Case Study 7 - Broken Concrete Step Case Study 8 - Brick Sill Creates Wall Damage Case Study 9 - Brick Retaining Wall Rebuild	Case Study 10 - Basement Window, Cut-out, installation Case Study 11 - Concrete Walkway, Landing Case Study 12 - Stone Wall Rebuild Case Study 13 - Stone Step Rebuild Case Study 14 - Fireplace Surround - Cultured Stone Case Study 15 - Stone Stair Rebuild - in Winter Case Study 16 - Fireplace Surround - Natural Stone Case Study 17 - Stone Retaining Wall Rebuild Case Study 18 - Dry-Stack Stone Retaining Wall Rebuild
Case Study 11 - Concrete Walkway, Landing The Assignment: Remove the existing walkway and landing, which were broken. Build a deep base, reinforce the concrete.
	Removing the Old, completely. A full day of digging excavated the trench. At least eight inches deep, it has a hard bottom. In the trench you can faintly see the steel wire mesh, measured and cut to fit in advance.
Forms Concrete can give you any shape. The foreground shows a dozen rebar rods.
	3/4" Gravel A thick, high-quality, landscaping cloth lines the trench. Four inches of 3/4" gravel will provide drainage and stability.
Concrete Steel wire mesh is sandwiched in the middle of the concrete. Rebar rods are used liberally along with the mesh. The concrete was ordered drier and consequently stronger, at a slump of 4.
	Shaping the concrete Screeding the concrete, working a straight edge across the form, starts the leveling process. A magnesium float is used to prepare the surface. A wood float is used next for a smooth surface. An 'edging tool' rounds the edges, making them less likely to chip.
Finishing work Masonry involves having a feel for concrete. It is a time-sensitive substance that can be handled poorly. Before the work begins, platforms have to be considered.
	Ready to cure Within 8 hours the walkway began being watered, to slow the cure, increase strength. 85 percent of the cure occurs in 48 hours, most of that in twelve hours. Concrete takes a month to cure fully, and can be slowed with water, cooler temperatures.
Done! A good base, lots of reinforcing, built to last.

This page last modified: May 20 2010