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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

(Continued from page 3)

The end stone is cut to create a flared design

If It Rains?
Should you be so unlucky to find yourself installing a walkway after a downpour, you may need to tamp some areas by hand to deal with the excess moisture. The gas compactor is very powerful and will bring up the water up to the surface, which is the opposite of what you want to do.

If the base is excessively wet and saturated with water, you can add cement to the mason sand to absorb some of the water before setting the stone.

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The "Wiggle" Test

You want to make sure your stones don't move, so do a "wiggle" test. Stand with one foot on each corner of the stone and shift your weight from side to side. If the stone moves, you need to fix it. Take the handle of your mallet and compact the sand under the corner that was moving to solidify it.

	Figure M
	Figure N

Setting The Cobblestone Border

Dean and Derek add a granite cobblestone border on either side of the walkway. This will give the walkway a final width of 3.5 feet.

• Dig a trench for the cobble on both sides about 4 to 5 inches deep (figure M). The cobblestones will be set in a mortar base.

• Mix the mortar for the cobblestones using premixed mortar or premixed sand mix cement. Add water to the mortar and mix it using a hoe. You don't need much water, just enough to make it thick and sticky like peanut butter.

• Spread some mortar in the trench and set your cobblestones in it, using a rubber mallet to tap them into place (figure N). Set the cobblestones right up next to the bluestone. Make sure you keep the top of the cobblestones flush with the bluestone. If they are higher, you will create a trip edge.

• Check the level of the cobblestones and make sure they are consistent. Apply mortar to the back of the stones for added support. This is called parging. This will eventually be covered by the loam when you do the finish landscaping.
  

  	Figure O
  	Figure P
  	Figure Q

Dean and Derek plan the section of the walkway near the road to end in a flared design. Dean sets the last two stones and draws a diagonal line for the flare.

• Cut the stone with a grinder with a diamond blade. Score a shallow line first, then follow with a deeper cut (figure O).

• Safety Alert: Always use safety glasses and a mask when cutting with a grinder.

• Set these final pieces (figure P) and use a rubber mallet to secure them in place.

Add the final cobblestones in place and the walkway is complete (figure Q).

Using a broom, sweep sand into the joints of the walkway, then spray it down to create a finished look.

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