Beginners Concrete Sidewalk - Do It Yourself (Form, Pour, Finish)

#everythingaboutconcrete #concretesidewalk #mikedayconcrete

In this video I'm showing you how I make a concrete sidewalk that's 20' x 4' x 8". I think this is the perfect beginners concrete sidewalk if you're thinking of installing a concrete walkway and want to do it yourself.
This is small enough so you can form, pour and finish the concrete pretty easily if you follow the same steps that I take to install this sidewalk.
The first step is to get your forms set up, pinned and set to grade.
The second step is to install your reinforcement.
The third step is to pour the concrete, level it, and bull float it smooth.
The fourth step is to mag float and cut your joints and do your edging.
The fifth step is to broom finish the surface.
That's a pretty easy diy concrete sidewalk for beginners.
If you want to learn more about how to form, pour, and finish concrete, then check out The Concrete Underground below.

The Concrete Underground Training Academy:

MY STAMPED CONCRETE COURSE:

MY CONCRETE SLAB COURSE:

FOUNDATION CRACK REPAIR COURSE:

GARAGE EPOXY FLOOR COATING COURSE:

VISIT MY WEBSITE:

USE THE SAME TOOLS I DO:

FLOOR FINISHING POWER TROWELS:

ScreeDemon Vibratory Screed:

12' Screed Board for ScreeDemon:

MARSHALLTOWN SHOCKWAVE VIBRA-SCREED:

TOPCON LASER LEVEL:

DEWALT PENCIL VIBRATOR TOOL:

INVERTER GENERATOR LIKE WE USE:

BULLFLOAT:

HAND FINISHING KNEE BOARDS:

MAG FLOAT & STEEL TROWEL SET:

2" MARGIN TROWEL:

CONCRETE PLACER OR KUMALONG:

CONCRETE FINISHING BROOM:

CONCRETE SCREED:

CONCRETE EDGER:

CONCRETE GROOVER:

BOSCH HAMMER DRILL:

MY RECOMMENDED TOOLS PAGE:

SUBSCRIBE to my email list and get my FREE video guide on how to get the perfect broom finish on a concrete patio:

Follow me on Twitter:

Follow me on Instagram:

Follow my Facebook Page:

[defytyrantsofmississippi]

Thank you Mike for posting! I have learned so much about concrete from your efforts and videos!

[theartofconcrete]

Great job on the pour, signs of and expert pins are below forms, doubled wood on joints. Its great seeing how other finishers work.

[Modernidea]

In Minnesota, we use 8" concrete for commercial sidewalks in downtown Minneapolis. In most cases we use 3.5" of sidewalks and 6" for for pedestrian crossing landing areas. We use 6" for driveways as well.

[johnfahey]

As always, a pleasure watching the teamwork

[markcentola]

thanks mike great video I have learned alot from your videos. poured new steps and will pour new sidewalk in spring. thank you

[sp]

Thank you for the informative video. I've poured and formed very little concrete in my life. Friend of mine decades ago mixed his own Portland cement in a wheelbarrow and poured a walkway/driveway about 80 feet long to his house. Did a great job, and I always wanted to be able to do it. There's a lot that needs done at my house now. Just various projects. Can't afford a truck to bring it each time, so I might find a used mixer somewhere. Idk how in the world my friend was able to mix and pour his that fast out of a wheelbarrow.

[jrtichef]

Thinking of doing a set of steps, small sidewalk and a pad under a deck.
I’ll definitely check out your channel

[jeemy]

I poured concrete for about 5 years. But that was almost 8 years ago was just watching some of your videos to refresh my memory. Wife wants a concrete sidewalk from the front porch across the house about 40 ft long. I'm hoping we both can handle a 4 by 40 an 4 inchs thick. I got everything but Mag float and a broom to finish it . I was gonna but a break ever 4 feet till I watched your video and it was 5 feet I think it was

[joesmo]

Never herd of not using the steel because of trapping air but makes sense great tip thanks

[brianarsenault]

Thank you for the video. Two thumbs up! Perhaps what may have made the video 100% is to explain how you did the vertical expansion joint to the house at the end of the house foundation.

[lesthiele]

Hi Mike, another great video, it's a pleasure watching true artist at work, I hope you are all keeping safe and well, best regards from Australia and I hope you have a great 2020 Christmas and agreat 2021.

[rbrazz]

Thats some bomb-proof sidewalk..With that thickness, would you have added any more joints (and where) if it was just your decision?

[johnyikes]

Can you do a vid on raising sections of driveway slabs? thanks for the content.

[T.E.P.]

here in MN we love a heavier pad ... that money is well spent

[annalisagomes]

A well-pounded ground filled with gravel and small rocks prevents it from sinking. This gives a better cushion and protects the concrete from easily cracking. No matter how thick the concrete when the ground is poorly prepared, when they sink from different places, the concrete also starts sinking and cracking.

[philleach]

Is there a reason the foam didn’t go to the base metal? Look to me it didn’t so the lower portion of the slab will push against the house anyway. So foam basically useless?
I think your videos are fantastic and clearly you guys know how to place and finish Conctete .
As a main contractor in my country it frustrates me that subbies get some basic fundamentals wrong

[laredo]

When screaning the top of concrete I noticed that you did not have a ledge on the existing side of the the home. How do you keep level without a ledge. Did you use the expansion tape for the ledge?

[marcusportley]

I am thinking of doing a slab for a shed and extending my concrete patio.

[rotorway]

Hope you answer me really fast. DIY project. I got a backhoe coming today to dig for a concrete front deck, 20 foot long sidewalk and stairs turning into the driveway. I see tons of vids that use 2x4 as forms. To me, that doesn't seem really thick enough for concrete. I am thinking 2x6 and pourring maybe 5 inches deep. What do you think?

[cntslesfabrication]

Mike I had a concrete sidewalk poured and they did a horrible job finishing it. It's not flat at all holds water and it drain's towards the house and it's attached to the house. We only get 2 in per year of rain but it looks like a 4 year old did the finish work. Im trying to figure out the best way to get it flat and so it will drain properly. Is there anything I can do? Im only 33 but my digestive system is 5% from complete failure so I don't know what to do. Thanks Ryne