I am still trying to determine whether or not I have accomplished anything at all today. I slept much later than usual and then decided to tackle a huge job. Years ago I am sure there was a very nice flagstone type of walkway going from the driveway to the back porch, but through the years many of the stones have sunk into the ground or become covered by dirt and grass. It is not a big issue in the warmer months, but in midwinter as the snow begins to melt the sidewalk becomes a small pond. When refrozen, it becomes a sheet of ice (as does the driveway). My fear is that one Thanksgiving or Christmas Day either one of my parents, my Aunt Margie, or some other unsuspecting soul will step out onto the ice and fall on their rear end. Even I do not bounce back like I used to, so I don't even want to think about one of them falling. I decided I need a new sidewalk. The job will never be completed until it is started (profound, yes?) so today, with the help of Ben and Hannah, I started the project. I'm not sure My Darling is appreciative of my efforts. It just looks like more work to him. So, Uncle Dave, do you have any advice on putting in sidewalks?
The Barn Collective.
6 hours ago
Oh crazy woman that you are, you call on the man who stands on the top of ladders with his drill held between his knees?
ReplyDeleteAhumm... I am such an expert on this topic...??? NOT.
Here is what I know for sure about building sidewalks.
Ya need sand for a base, ya need sidewalk mix, no, it is not called that. comes in a bags and mixes up in wheelbarrows. Quick crete? something like that. Ya need 2x4s for to make sides to your side walk. :) then you mix it up to look like a cake mix using a hoe, the mix and water in the wheelbarrow. Then you pour it out and do all that again, I know all this because I watch it happen. After two wheelbarrows of this activity I got bored and went in and took a nap. When I got up we had a side walk! Ta Da! :)
Well, I have seen Uncle Dave's sidewalk. He put in in all by himslef, so I know he has some experience. And, I don't think he needed a drill to do it.
ReplyDeleteGood! Ya got an expert!! You did most of the work already by yourslef and two helpers. End results, end results, mantra, end results. Lots of ice tea, cookies, more ice tea.... :)
ReplyDeleteYes.
ReplyDelete1) You need to dig down about 6 more inches. ;-)
2) I think they call it "crusher run". It's the mixture of stone and dust that you can get a trailer load for $10 at Dolomite. Put at least 3 inches of that down and tamp it before you put down any sand. I think if you are pouring concrete you don't use sand.
3) Don't listen to gmj. Especially what she knows "for sure". She was sleeping during step 2.
4) Don't give Rachel any ideas
P.S. - What kind of a sidewalk are you putting in?
P.P.S. - You have just started. Hold off on the cookies for now. ;-)
See, I knew that somewhere in there you needed sand. If you need any help, you know of someone who likes to pretend to know what she's doing. And she also likes projects which get noticed by many people, so they all compliment her and say what a good job she did. But that wouldn't be me by any chance. No indeed.
ReplyDeleteOk, Dave, I am holding off on the cookies...
ReplyDeleteAt the moment I think we are planning on using the contractors pavers I took home from your house. We have six whole ones and will need to pick up about seven more. Maybe I won't need to play with concrete mix in my wheelbarrow.
I will try not to give Rachel any ideas, but I don't think you need anymore sidewalks anyway.
I think this piece of property used to be a rock farm and the seeds are still growing. You should have seen the monsters they pulled out of the orchard up on the hill!
ReplyDeleteBethany, anyone who wants to help is more than welcome.
OK, then you don't need the sand or the crusher run, but either would make it drain better. Make sure they are higher than the current dirt or they will just fill in like the stones before them did.
ReplyDeleteI know I have a sidewalk already, but I'm hoping Rachel has forgotten about the stone fireplace. ;-)
Well, okay what I know "for sure" is you need to take a nap. Maybe it is like Santa, you leave the cookies and ice tea out next to the hole you dig, take a nap and ta da... sidewalk?
ReplyDeleteAre you sure your last name isn't Stewart? ;)
ReplyDelete"The job will never be completed until it is started (profound, yes?)"
ReplyDeleteYes, that IS profound. In fact, I'm adding that to my list of inspirational quotes! :-)
Looking forward to a picture of the completed project someday.
I would love flagstone sidewalks around my house. Can't wait to see it when it's done.
ReplyDeleteWhat are you going to do with it now that you ripped out all the stones?
ReplyDeleteWe're going to dance in the mud during the next hard rain.
ReplyDeleteWith rain we've been having I bet you can dance in the mud very soon.
ReplyDeleteI've been promised a sidewalk of some type to the back door for 4 yrs now. I count on snow to cover the ice :(