Sidewalk disaster!! give up and concrete? Is that a DIY job?

[clovergamecock]

When we built our house 4 years ago I decided I wanted a flagstone walkway to the front porch. I dug it out framed it up, layed down some crush and run and then some sand and surfaced it all out. I then layed the 3 pallets of flagstone. OUCH!!! I used mortor mix and sand and covered everything up and the hosed off the rocks and made sure all crevaces were filled. Initial setup looked great and everything was hard and solid. Now every winter this stuff crumbles!!!! I have redone this twice.

This past weekend I removed all the mortar and racked it smooth and relayed the stone. Now I am considering 1 of 2 things.

1. Using crushed brick to fill in and just let it be gravle and flagstone.

2. Taking it all out and putting in a sidewalk. Not sure I can do this myself. My Dad has a portable cement mixer but I don't want a bigger mess than I already have.

What would someone charge for a sidewalk about 60ft long and 4ft wide?

Any how to sites for a DIY sidewalk?

Any suggestions on option 1? Anybody have something similar to option 1 that they could post picks on?


Help?????????


Thanks
Wade

 

[JB4310]

First of all you said you used mortar mix and sand, to me mortar mix is a prebatched bagged sakcrete or quickcrete product that has masonry cement and sand in it already, just add water not sand. If you did add sand to that product it would weaken it considerably.

Do you get much below freezing temps? Up here in NE flagstone walks and patios do take a beating due to the freeze/thaw effect, but the mortar shouldn't crumble as you stated.

We mix our own mortar aprx. 2 parts sand to one part masonry cement. I have used the bagged stuff on occasion with decent results, There is a type S masonry cement and type S mortar mix that has more portland and less lime, that's what I use exclusively. Type S has higher psi rating.

Stone set in cement is really not a DIY type project, this is a highly skilled trade, I've been repairing this stuff as a contractor for 26 years but I would not take on a new installation myself, unless it was very small.

The stone in brick chips or stone dust is more geared to DIY project, easy to fix if needed.

JB.

 

[clovergamecock]

Thanks JB. I just used regular bag mortar mix. maybe I am using the wrong stuff???? For the concrete and stone I was reaally meaning just pull the stone up and put a standard concrete walkway in instead.


Thanks
Wade

 

[carpenter383]

You could use those pavers, They don't take mortar, you just need a good flat base of sand to lay them on. They kind of fit togeather like a puzzle. They're kinda pricey though

 

[JB4310]

Thanks JB. I just used regular bag mortar mix. maybe I am using the wrong stuff???? For the concrete and stone I was reaally meaning just pull the stone up and put a standard concrete walkway in instead.


Thanks
Wade

Not quite sure how you did it but the proper way would be to have a rough concrete sidewalk down first, then set the stone in a mortar bed aprx. 2 inches thick on top of the concrete slab.

Pouring a concrete sidewalk, is not that difficult forming and placing the concrete in the forms, you can get one of these small batch trucks now that will mix just what you need right on the job.

But there is a fairly high skill level in finishing the surface, for both appearance and longevity. Once the concrete sets, that's it, you don't get a second chance.

JB.

 

[EddieWalker]

If you have never poured concrete, then you will be learning with something that does not forgive and will show every mistake. Knowing what to look for and how it feels is something that you can only learn with practice. I wouldn't want my first time on something that you will have to look at for the rest of your life. The only thing worse then messing it up is having to break it out.

With the flagstone already in place and paid for, I think it would be easier and cheaper to remove the mortar and fill with sand, pea gravel or dirt and let grass grow between the rock.

Keep it simple and work with what you already have.

Eddie

 

[carpenter383]

I've always been a do it your-selfer, It's not really all that hard to pour concrete for something like a sidewalk. The finish dosen't have to be real smooth or flat to get satifactory results. In my experience the concrete truck driver will usualy offer a helping hand if he sees you're struggling. Just get your forms good and level, and secured. Make sure your stakes are below the top of the forms too. Use stone to fill the low spots and leave at least 3 1/2 in. of concrete. Order a 4" slump and screet with a 2x4. Let it set up till it's fairly hard and run a concrete broom over it, trial in your joints then stand back and drink a beer! If you want professional results hire a professional, but you would have pride in doing it yourself. Do some research on the subject then decide which way to go.

 

[flusher]

When we built our house 4 years ago I decided I wanted a flagstone walkway to the front porch. I dug it out framed it up, layed down some crush and run and then some sand and surfaced it all out. I then layed the 3 pallets of flagstone. OUCH!!! I used mortor mix and sand and covered everything up and the hosed off the rocks and made sure all crevaces were filled. Initial setup looked great and everything was hard and solid. Now every winter this stuff crumbles!!!! I have redone this twice.

This past weekend I removed all the mortar and racked it smooth and relayed the stone. Now I am considering 1 of 2 things.

1. Using crushed brick to fill in and just let it be gravle and flagstone.

2. Taking it all out and putting in a sidewalk. Not sure I can do this myself. My Dad has a portable cement mixer but I don't want a bigger mess than I already have.

What would someone charge for a sidewalk about 60ft long and 4ft wide?

Any how to sites for a DIY sidewalk?

Any suggestions on option 1? Anybody have something similar to option 1 that they could post picks on?


Help?????????


Thanks
Wade

You can pour that 60x4 ft sidewalk yourself if you want a real workout.
It's only about 3 cy of concrete, less than half a load for a typical redi-mix truck.
You and 2 or 3 buddies could handle the job--1 to chute the concrete, 1 on a shovel to spread it and 2 handling the screed board.
Be aware that those concrete delivery guys want to unload fast--15-20 minutes tops and then the overtime charges start to add up. So you really have to hustle if you don't want to be charged extra. For me that's the worst part of the job--hurrying to unload the truck.