Along with a major landscaping job, the winners of America's Most Desperate Landscape also received new concrete steps, stoop, patio and curved walkway. The best way to do a project like this is to first build forms, which are molds for the concrete.
Creating the forms Use strong wood such as plywood. You want the wood to be rigid enough to hold up to the weight of the concrete.
Cut forms on site for a custom fit.
Use 2x2s as braces to add strength.
Drill holes into the foundation and install rebar to ensure the steps stay attached to the foundation.
Coat the inside surfaces of the form with form oil or diesel fuel to ease removal.
Fill the form with concrete chunks or gravel. This will help save on the cost of concrete which runs about $95, depending on area of the country.Smoothing the concrete Once concrete is poured, use a tamper or the flat side of a 2x4 to compact concrete.
Use a screed to level the concrete.
Use a magnesium float to smooth.
Cut expansion joints into the sidewalk to allow the concrete to expand and contract in weather.
In sidewalks, expansion joints should occur about every four feet.Tip: Have the concrete delivered. Most concrete companies can tell you just how much concrete you need based on your project's dimensions.
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