Tips from the Pros on How to Pour a Concrete Sidewalk

Tips from the Paraprin Pros on How to Pour a Concrete Sidewalk

Spring is in the air here in northern Ohio which means its home improvement and outdoor project season for all the do-it-yourselfers out there. While many of the things you hope to accomplish this year could be done inside during the winter other tasks, such as pouring concrete, can be far more challenging in the cold, so now’s the time to start thinking about your concrete patios, floors, driveways and more.

For those of you planning to pour a concrete sidewalk this year, rather it be for your newly built house, a sidewalk replacement, or you’re pouring a new concrete sidewalk to your barn or outdoor entertainment area, make sure you’re covering all the bases with some tips from our concrete pro, Keith Oberg Sr.

Keith Sr. has been pouring concrete in Lorain, Erie, & Cuyahoga Counties, Ohio for more than 30-years and has developed expert level knowledge of concrete techniques, nuances, and materials to the point where he could build you a stamped concrete patio in his sleep.  He’s also cultivated the trust of his clients, employees, and the community by delivering top notch concrete solutions with quality, consistency, craftsmanship and first-class customer service for decades. It’s no wonder he and his crew are the #1 concrete contractors on the west side of Cleveland.

We took some time a recent rainy day to discuss the basic steps to follow when pouring a new concrete sidewalk that will help ensure your success.  Here they are:

1. PLANNING: Do not simply wing it when you pour concrete and instead, make sure your project is well planned out. This involves knowing the size, shape, and location of the sidewalk, getting permits – if needed – from the local government, and gathering the concrete tools and materials needed to execute the job.
2. EXCAVATION: Excavating the area your new concrete sidewalk will be poured involves removing any existing concrete, rocks, & debris and digging down to the proper depth of at least 4-inches (10 cm) and making sure you have good surface to pour on.
3. FRAMING: Once excavation is complete, wooden forms are created in the shape of the sidewalk. These frames should be level & at the correct height of the sidewalk.
4. REINFORCEMENT: After framing and before the concrete is poured, reinforcement is added to provide strength & stability to the concrete sidewalk – and helps ensure its durability. Poured concrete is typically reinforced with rebar or wire mesh within the forms.
5. MIXING: Mix the concrete in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions. This can be done with a shovel, but life is made easier with a concrete mixer. You can also contact a local concrete supply company and have the amount you need delivered. For smaller jobs, mixing your own concrete typically makes the most sense.
6. POURING: Once properly mixed, the concrete is then poured into the forms in a systematic way starting at one end of the forms while working your way to the other. Using concrete tools like a shovel or rake can be used to make sure the concrete is evenly distributed throughout the forms.
7. FINISHING: The process of finishing concrete involves smoothing out the surface with a trough and for more nuanced projects this where you’ll add your decorative patterns, often with something simple such as a broom or something more sophisticated such as stamped concrete, and sealants.
8. CURING: After the concrete is properly finished it must be given time to cure for several days – often up until a week. During this time the newly poured concrete should be protected from extreme temperatures and weather conditions.
9. REMOVE FORMS: The final stage before your new concrete sidewalk is ready for years of use is removing the forms. Any gaps or spaces left by the forms can be filled in with other materials such as soil, pea gravel, stone, or anything that fits your individual preferences.

If you would prefer to have a proven & reliable concrete company do the work for you, there is no one better suited to earn your business than Paraprin Concrete. With over 30-years of experience pouring concrete driveways, basements, garage floors, sidewalks, stamped concrete patios, parking lots and more – Keith Oberg & Keith Oberg Jr. have the skill, knowledge, crew, and people skills to pour your concrete with perfection.

Rather it be new home construction, concrete replacement at your existing home, or a new concrete structure – Paraprin has your back.

For a free and zero-obligation quote – and to get your questions answered – give us a call at (440) 523-8254 or email us at info@paraprinconstruction.com