What You Need To Know
A Guide To Concrete Walkways
If you still have dirt or gravel walkways, you are missing out on a design element that can transform the curb appeal of your home or business. The material that has been used for centuries for walkways is still the best option you have when it comes to making a new walkway, concrete.
Concrete can create a definitive and visible pathway into your home or business and can last upwards of 30 years when properly installed. Not to mention, concretes natural texture can provide ample slip and skid resistance with a simple broom finish, making your pathway safe and easy to walk on when wet or soiled. Down below, we are going to be giving you an in-depth guide on how we install concrete walkways!
Read our guide on concrete walkways down below then give us a call for a FREE QUOTE!.
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The Process Of Concrete Walkway Installation
We know that not everyone has the experience working with concrete that we do and concrete installation may be a foreign process to you. Well, it is a process that is both simplistic and efficient to a contractor with experience but to make sure YOU know exactly what we are doing in your home or business, we are going to be going over what we do to ensure that your walkway stands the test of time with as little discrepancies as possible. Down below, you will find the precise steps our team takes to install concrete walkways in both commercial and residential settings.
Preparing The Ground
The first step in any concrete installation project is the preparation of the supporting soils. To begin, we remove up to 2 inches of topsoil and apply a strong weed killer to keep the foundation of your concrete pure and stable. After the topsoil has been removed, we compact the dirt that remains so the ground is flat and then lay a layer of gravel that is 4 inches thick that is flattened out and tamped, creating a strong base and a level finish for the walkway.
Pouring The Concrete
Before we begin to pour the concrete, we start by laying the forms for the walkway. This is done with wooden stakes and 1x4s just outside the planned area. We make sure the stakes are plumb with the forms to make the smoothing process easier and check to make sure the form is the desired height of the walkway. We start the concrete pour at the lowest point of the walkway and smooth as we go, making sure the concrete is level with the forms.
Finishing The Concrete
Now that the concrete has been poured, we start the finishing process. The first step of the finishing process is using a 2×4 across the top of the concrete, making sure its surface is level and all low spots are filled. Depending on the weather, the concrete sets for about an hour and we use an edger to create expansion joints and round the corners of the walkway. After expansion joints are created and edges have been rounded, we use a broom to create a broom finish, increasing slip and skid resistance.
Concrete Repair
While concrete is one of the most durable building materials on the market today, there are still common problems the material faces. For example, concrete is prone to the appearance of cracks, lifting, sinking or spalling and pitting. Thankfully, our team is equipped to handle all of these problems to make your concrete look as good as new. With the use of concrete overlays, crack repairs, patching or slab jacking, we can make sure your concrete walkway is able to service your home, business, or property for the years to come. In the chance that your concrete cannot be replaced, we offer the service to replace it for you.
You Can Count On Us!
When it comes to the installation of your concrete walkway, you don’t want to leave it in the hands of an untrained contractor, you need a professional concrete contractor that knows what they are doing. Here at Concrete Patio Austin, we have the experience, the portfolio, and the team to make all of your dreams a reality. From installing concrete walkways to custom concrete patios, our team is dedicated to providing you with 100% customer satisfaction no matter how big or how small your project may be. Ready to get started on your project? Give us a call today to get your free, no-obligation quote!