Concrete Recommendations

[BsFaninCGY]

I’m hoping to frame and pour my own concrete walkway in a few weeks, and was hoping for some recommendations from you fine folks here. Pathway will be aboit 2.5’ x 30’ x 6” deep with two steps about mid-way down. What are my options for pouring this concrete? Is there a local place that can bring me mixed concrete that I can just wheelbarrow in as necessary? I’ve only got one helper on this job, if that makes a difference...

[Fuzz]

GAL concrete is the best price for small loads. They have really good customer service, I've done 2 projects with them. You are looking at about a meter which will be $600-$700 delivered. 6" is a bit overkill for a walkway, 4" is more standard.



You may also want to use a wire mesh. Don't use the stuff for house stucco, it's worthless. You want this stuff:


https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.w...000438743.html


Just elevate it with some 1" rocks or chunks of brick.


Cut pieces for your steps as well, and bend 90° for the nose.



I priced out renting a machine and doing the bag method, but it costs just about as much and you will hate yourself for it, or your back will hate you.



Go to Princess Auto for concrete tools, you will want a mag float and they have the cheapest ones.



2 people can do that size job, though a 3rd would be nice. With the concrete, you have an hour for delivery for free, then they start charging wait time but that should be enough. 2 Wheelbarrows might be handy. Make sure they have air in the tires!

[Fuzz]

Ugh, sorry for the crappy formatting. Firefox issue, and I can't fix it becuase I put a ° symbol in, which results in blank edit window...

[sworkhard]

Basically exactly that. You can deal with one of the smaller local carriers like GAL concrete http://galconcrete.com/ or go directly to Lafarge or Burnco. Shop around a bit and make sure you get all the fees included as different companies have different charges for things like weekend delivery, color cleanup (if you add color), small load surcharges, base delivery fees, etc. The concrete itself is only on part of the total price, so don't let yourself get surprised by delivery fees.

You usually get somewhere from 1/2 an hour to an hour to empty the truck after it shows up before they charge extra fees for on site time. If you need more than that, tell them when you order.

[BsFaninCGY]

Awesome - I knew this was the place to ask!

[EVERLAST]

Very good advice fuzz

[MoneyGuy]

I’ve done a lot of this. Six inches is excessive and unnecessary. Do a 2x4 width.

I live a long way from you or I’d help. I recommend a CP work bee. Get one guy who actually knows what he’s doing to lead the project. I’ve seen DIYs try it and get themselves into a lot of trouble, like my neighbour who turned down my offer then came pleading one day because he and his buddies thought they could handle the job. Drying concrete waits for no man.

[Bagor]

Have a couple of bottles of water handy with holes punched in the lid for squirting when you're floating dryer areas. Also handy to just give your float a squirt now and then.

[Fuzz]

Ya, there are a million different tips for finishing. It's an art. The old guy who finished my garage floor was amazing to watch.


Decide what kind of finish you want. For a walkway a broom finish is nice and easy.

[puffnstuff]

Make sure you leave a gap and an uneven spot so that the snow shovel hits it every time.
Its what the pros do.

[topfiverecords]

Be careful to not let your helper drag a coiled hose through it to wash the wheelbarrow just after you’ve finished floating it and are out of concrete. True story. It fixed up fine thankfully.

[topfiverecords]

There’s also a company called Astro Mini Mix that can deliver small loads and one called U-Cart that you can tow their cart behind your own truck.

[BsFaninCGY]

Wanted to follow up and say thanks again for the awesome advice in this thread. Super happy with how my pour turned out as a first timer.

Now for a follow up: My new walkway butts up to existing concrete paths with a gap of about half an inch between each slab. What are my options for filling this? Sand would be my thought, but I’ve seen what looks like a brown, almost organic type of material between slabs before. I really just want to inhibit weeds growing up through those cracks and have it look good, and not spread around due to shoveling in winter, or active dogs running over it.

[Fuzz]

You want this:


https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.e...000684666.html


Ideally you put it in before pouring. I'm not sure how difficult it will be to put in now. If the crack is wide enough, you could use this, and a concrete patching compound or sealant and glue it in that way.

[Fuzz]

Oh,and pictures! You owe us that.

[ken0042]

I wonder if something like this would work:
https://www.rona.ca/en/polymeric-sand-79245087

Having used it on pavers at my parents' house, I will say to read the instructions. Apparently the right amount of water makes or breaks it.

[llwhiteoutll]

Originally Posted by BsFaninCGY

Wanted to follow up and say thanks again for the awesome advice in this thread. Super happy with how my pour turned out as a first timer.

Now for a follow up: My new walkway butts up to existing concrete paths with a gap of about half an inch between each slab. What are my options for filling this? Sand would be my thought, but I’ve seen what looks like a brown, almost organic type of material between slabs before. I really just want to inhibit weeds growing up through those cracks and have it look good, and not spread around due to shoveling in winter, or active dogs running over it.

I would look for something like SikaFlex Crack Sealant. It's a polyurethane sealant that is gray and won't crack when the two slabs move independently of each other. The brown material you've seen is buffalo board, you should be able to get some at Home Depot if you go that way

[BsFaninCGY]

Awesome! Damn, I love this place!

Be gentle:
https://m.imgur.com/gallery/L1jafv1

Still some minor fixes and sealing to do.

[Fuzz]

Looks great!

[jwslam]

Piggy backing off this thread

Neighbour and I are considering going uni-driveway.
(yes we live in the NE)
(just the one side though. I'm not a menace)

Recommend me a concrete guy please