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Porphyry Granite Front Walkway Dean and Derek bring an old world paving material and a modern technique to update a walkway. Check out more Rock Solid home improvement projects. From "Rock Solid" episode DROC-405

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

Demolition

Dean and Derek need to remove the existing walkway before they begin work on the new porphyry granite walkway. The existing walkway is made of brick pavers set in concrete. If you encounter a similar demolition challenge in your yard it might be a good idea to rent a jackhammer to break apart the pavers and cement.

Safety Alert: Any time you use a jackhammer, be sure to wear construction earmuffs to protect your ears.

Dean and Derek faced another unique demolition issue during this project, they want to remove all of the pavers and concrete from the walkway (figure A), but they only want to remove the pavers from the existing porch (figure B). The concrete base of the porch supports the pillars and overhang, so they need to remove the pavers without damaging the concrete structure. If you have a sensitive area like this you can use a hand chisel with a mason hammer or a hammer gun to remove the pavers.

Dean and Derek hit another snag in their demolition of the walkway when they found wire in the concrete. The wire was probably used because the walkway is in a sandy region of the country, so when the sand settles under the walkway, the wire prevents it from moving. This issue can be addressed efficiently by renting a wet saw. Use the wet saw to cut the concrete into smaller more manageable blocks (figure C) that you can then lift and toss.

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Figure D

Compact

Once your demo is complete, it's time to prep your work area. Use a gas-powered compactor to compact the soil so you have a clear even space to create your new porphyry walkway (figure D).

Set Walkway Elevation

Drive stakes into the ground on opposite ends of your walkway. You'll want your walkway to be level with the existing driveway or sidewalk. Use string to mark the final elevation of the walkway. You need to fill this area with lime rock up to three inches below the string. Use a rake to spread the lime rock evenly, making it about two inches deep, then compact. Repeat this process until you've reached the desired level.

Walkway Prep

Check the string you used to mark the height of your pavers, you are looking for two things. First, make sure you have a slight pitch, so rainwater hitting the pavers rolls away from your house. Second, make sure that there are three-inches between your base and the string. Pour one half-inch of coarse sand over the compacted area and use a rake to spread evenly.

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