Build a Concrete Walkway: Building the Form

Video Transcript:

The first step in creating a walkway is to establish the look and shape. The walkway must be pleasing to look at, durable, and efficient to use. The minimum width of a walkway should be about three feet. An easy way to establish the curve shape is to cut a stick the width of the walkway, holding a can of marking spray paint to the end of it, simply walk and spray where you want the path to go. If you dislike the shape, scratch out the lines and repeat the process. Once you have a shape you like, cut stakes out of scrap lumber and spread them out roughly two feet apart along the straighter sections, and as close as one foot apart through the curves.

Once the walkway shape is established and the stakes are pounded into the perimeter, mark the top of the form along the stakes. Use a laser transit, position the transmitter outside the walkways perimeter then attach the receiver to a scrap of wood, spare level, or a transit stick. Position the receiver so it emits a solid tone when the bottom of the stick is roughly four inches above the finished grade. Using the bottom of the stick as a guide marks all the stakes. This line is where the top of the form boards will be positioned.

Before the forms are laid in, cut off all the stakes at the line. This gives a positive location for the top of the forms. It will allow the scree board to pass by during the pour without getting hung up on the top of the stakes.

Once the stakes are cut, spread the form boards out. Use 3/8 plywood ripped to a width of four inches. The form boards are bent to shape inside the stakes and secure with screws so the top of the board is flush with the top of the stake. At either end of the walkway take extra time to make sure the form is exactly where you want it.

Remove any gravel or rock that will prevent the concrete from being a full four inches thick. Level the ground with a rake and tamp down any loose gravel. It’s important to prepare the base as flat and true as possible so that a consistent four inches thick of concrete walkway is maintained. Next, put down wire mesh and rebar to add necessary strength to the pad and to help prevent the concrete from cracking.