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Patios, Walkways and Stepping Stones Using Molds

Building concrete patios and walkways that resemble brick or cobblestone is an easy do-it-yourself project with WalkMaker re-usable plastic molds. WalkMaker molds offer unlimited designs and can be used with a variety of QUIKRETE® Concrete Mixes.

Required Tools and Materials

-QUIKRETE® WalkMaker mold -- available in Country Stone and Running Bond Brick patterns
-QUIKRETE® Fiber-Reinforced Concrete or Concrete Mix (Four 60 lb. Bags or three 80 lb.    Bags will fill three 2' x 2' WalkMaker sections)
-Mixing equipment (wheelbarrow or mixer),
-Trowel and shovel

Optional
-QUIKRETE® Liquid Cement Color (available in red, brown, buff, and charcoal)
-QUIKRETE® Play Sand
-Wood chips, pebbles, etc., for color or textures

Site Preparation

Place the WalkMaker mold in the desired location. WalkMaker molds can be placed directly on any relatively flat surface. They will configure the concrete to the existing base. If you prefer, you may remove one inch of top soil and level the WalkMaker mold before filling it with concrete. Removed soil can be used to fill in open spaces alongside concrete after the walk has set up.

Mixing and Placement

1. Add sufficient water for the amount of concrete being mixed. Mix thoroughly until plastic-like consistency is achieved. If additional water is required, add small amounts until the proper consistency is obtained.

2. Use a shovel or trowel to fill each mold cavity to the surface of the mold. Pat and smooth the surface with a trowel.

3. Remove the mold promptly, and smooth the concrete edges with a trowel until the desired appearance is obtained.

4. Place the mold adjacent to the completed section and continue this process until your project is completed. By alternately rotating the WalkMaker mold one quarter turn each time, a variation in the pattern is achieved.

5. If desired, QUIKRETE® Sand Mix or Mortar Mix can be applied dry to the hardened concrete to fill the joints. Brush or sweep the dry mix into the joints and moisten.

6. To protect your finish, use QUIKRETE® Acrylic Concrete Cure & Seal. Cure & Seal provides a water-resistant coating and also protects concrete surfaces from the deteriorating effects of grease, oil, salt, and most household chemicals.

Adding Color and Surface Texture

1. Color may be added to any WalkMaker project with QUIKRETE® Liquid Cement Color. Ten ounces of liquid color should be used for every two 60 or 80 lb. Bags of any QUIKRETE® Concrete Mix.

2. Mix 1-1/4 gallons of clean water for every 10 ounces of color. When using a mechanical mixer add both liquids to the mixer and then add the concrete mix. When hand-mixing in a tub or wheelbarrow, mix the color and water, and then add the liquid to the concrete mix.

3. Mix thoroughly until the concrete is uniform in color. Add water as needed to achieve consistency.

4. A variety of surface textures may be achieved by experimenting with different toppings. This should be done while the concrete is still damp but has reached initial set (approximately one hour after concrete has been placed). Some ideas include: small wood chips or pea gravel pressed into the surface of the concrete; irregular trowel imprints; and brushing QUIKRETE® Play Sand on the surface.

Corners and Curves

For corners, simply butt the WalkMaker mold to the last section poured, align in the direction of the turn and continue.

When making curves, there are twp options.

1. Butt outside corner of the mold to the existing concrete, align the curve, and press down on the mold, cutting the freshly placed concrete on the inside corner. Remove the mold and refinish the cut portion of the concrete. Place the mold, fill with concrete, and continue making cuts as necessary to attain the proper curve alignment.

2. Butt inside corner of the mold to the existing concrete. Fill in the space between the mold and the existing concrete on the outside of the corner. Free form the fill-in space. Level, finish, and shape the fill-in concrete to the desired appearance. Continue the procedure until the curve is complete.

Estimating Amount of Concrete You'll Need:

From outside edge to outside edge, each WalkMaker is 2' x 2' ; however, the Country Stone pattern interlocks, and length of walls can be estimated by this chart. (The Running Bond Brick pattern does not interlock and provides a consistent 2' x 2' section.)

Approximate Length of Walk Desired	Country Stone Sections Poured	80lb. bags of Concrete Required	60lb. bags of Concrete Required
2' 3'9" 5'6" 9' 16' 23' 30'	1 2 3 5 9 13 17	1 2 3 5 9 13 17	1-1/3 2-2/3 4 6-2/3 12 17-1/3 22-2/3

A Rule of thumb to follow is each additional poured section of WalkMaker will add 1' 9" to your existing WalkMaker stones. Of course, each WalkMaker is reusable for each section you need to pour, saving money and time over building wooden forms for traditional walks! 
 

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