| Front-Walkway Rehab With Bluestone and Cobblestone |
| An all-too-pedestrian front walk gets more pedestrian-friendly with a bluestone walkway and cobblestone border. |
From "Rock Solid"
episode DROC-308 |
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Dig FoundationThe next step is to dig out the area for the new walkway, which is going to be 42 inches wide. - The center line is established, so measure 21 inches out from the center line to determine where to mark the sides of the walkway (figure C).
- Spray a line with marker paint all the way down the length of the walkway (figure D).
With both sides marked, use a shovel to dig along the lines and down about six inches (figure E). Haul the dirt away in a wheelbarrow. When you're done digging, rake out and smooth the walkway (figure F).
Set Height Of StringBefore you set the bluestone, the string needs to be at a particular height. First it needs to be high enough above the dirt level so that the base is deep enough for all the materials you will need. Secondly, it needs to be in such a place that the walkway will be at a height consistent with the risers of the steps. The risers are 7.5 inches high, so the height from the walkway to the first step should also be 7.5 inches high. - Adjust the height of the string so it is 7.5 inches below the top of the first step.
- Then check that you have enough room below the string to accommodate 3.5 inches of crusher run, 1 inch of concrete sand, and bluestone that is 1.5 inches thick. With these measurements, the depth of the base needs to be about 6 inches below the string.
- You also want to make sure the walkway pitches away from the house. Using a line level, check that you have a quarter bubble pitch.
Add Crusher Run
Now you are ready to add the crusher run. Spread an even layer of crusher run about 3.5 inches thick over the entire walkway then compact it using a gas compactor. For a job this size, you'll need about 1.25 yards of crusher run. One yard of crusher run is enough for an area about 80 square feet at three inches thick. Crusher run, also called gravel pack, provides a sturdy base for your stones and allows water to drain easily. It is a mixture of rough stone dust and crushed stone. With the crusher run compacted, check the string and make sure that you're about 2.5 inches down from the string (figure G). Add Concrete Sand Next add 1 inch of concrete sand on top of the crusher run the length of the walkway. The concrete sand — also called course sand — will give the bluestone a solid base to set on. Concrete sand is better for drainage than mason sand.
| ALSO IN THIS EPISODE: | | Front-Walkway Rehab With Bluestone and Cobblestone |
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