What do I need to do to build a sidewalk below grade with steps?

Question

It starts in the back and runs between the house and driveway. The driveway is raised and has a wall of 4X4 treated wood up against where the sidewalk needs to continue. The other side is smaller wood ties and a mix of ground covered with decorative stone. The current walk ends and to get from the driveway to the front porch steps you have to step down then back up. It is very inconvenient and a bit hazardous in the winter. I want to bring the walk up two steps so that it is level with the driveway. Do I need a spacer between the cement and the wood ties? If so what and how. Also, from where it would start there is considerable depth (I read an article about making a sidewalk on level ground and the cement was only to be a few inches thick). Can I make the two steps one piece of cement, probable pretty thick then at the bottom step, or do i need to frame them out individually. Never done anything like this before, can someone please help? Thanks.

Answer 1

You can use 2x4 lumber for the walkway forms, which will make it a nominal 3 1/2" thick.  Try to slope the forms at least 1/8" per foot for drainage.  This can be either from one end of the walkway to the other, or from side to side.  The form for the steps can be built on top of the form for the walkway using 2x4s or 2x6s, so that the walkway and steps are poured as one.  You can rip the lumber for the step forms to get the right height, but make sure each step is the same height.

For a few extra dollars you should put #3 rebar inside the forms on a 12" grid.  Although this won't prevent cracking, it will ensure that both sides of the cracked concrete are at the same height so you won't trip over it.

Screed the concrete to the top of the forms as it is being poured.  Start smoothing the surface with a metal trowel after it has started to set.  Use a corner tool along the edges of the form, and a tool to put grooves from side to side in the walkway about every 8-10 feet.  As the concrete becomes more firm, break away the form at the front of the steps so that you can tool this edge as well for a smooth surface.  Continue to work the concrete until it is fairly firm and then put light brush marks on the surface with a broom.

If you want the walkway to go right up to the 4x4 wall, you should set the form on this side so that the bottom of the form is at the top of the walkway.  Then when you screed the concrete mixture, run this end of the screed even with the form instead of along the top.  Break away the form as you put the finish on the concrete.

Don't let the concrete dry out too fast while it is curing.  Wet it several times a day for several days.  Better yet, cover the fresh concrete with painter's plastic to contain the moisture.