FAQ: How To Finish Concrete Sidewalk?

How can I make my concrete walkway look better?

9 Budget Ways to Make Your Walkway Look Even Better Than Last Year

1. Lay down shards of broken concrete.
2. Stain your dried out concrete walkway.
3. Surround your stepping stones with lava rocks.
4. Add a walkway as a flower bed border.
5. Shape a pretty stone walk from concrete.
6. Use full pallets for an instant pathway.

How do you broom finish a concrete sidewalk?

The typical process for a broom finish is:

1. Pour the slab.
2. Strike off with a screed.
3. Bull float.
4. Wait for the bleed water to evaporate. Although with low water-cement ratio exterior concrete with the proper amount of air, there might not be much bleed water.
5. Trowel.
6. Broom the surface.
7. Cure the concrete.

What is the smoothest concrete?

QUIKRETE® Fiber-Reinforced Concrete, because of its high strength and smooth surface finish, is the best choice for the cast projects that follow.

When should I start finishing my concrete?

When all traces of the water are gone and the concrete starts to harden, you can resume finishing activities. Test by pressing your gloved thumb onto the surface near the perimeter. The concrete is ready when pressing hard only leaves a 1/4-in.

How do you make concrete look new again?

3 Ways to Make Old Concrete Look New Again

1. Power Wash. Over time, your concrete will accumulate grime and dirt.
2. Resurface. If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to improve your curb appeal, resurfacing your concrete steps and driveway is a great way to start.
3. Add Stain or Sealing Coats.
4. Revive Your Old Concrete.

How do you make concrete look good?

Take a look at all of these fabulous concrete patio ideas.

1. Paint a Pattern. Yes, you can paint your concrete slab.
2. Lay Decking Flooring. Did you know you can lay decking over a concrete slab?
3. Add Curves With Pavers.
4. Lay Slate Tiles.
5. Stain the Concrete to Look Like Tile.
6. Add a Beautiful Outdoor Rug.
7. Paint Concrete.
8. Dress it Up.

Is paint or stain better for concrete?

Of the two types of floor paints, latex paint is the best garage floor coating option, and oil paint the is best for concrete porches and patios. Floor and concrete stains are usually easier to apply than paints, but they require more frequent reapplication to keep looking fresh.

Can freshly poured concrete get rained on?

Pouring concrete in the rain can compromise its strength, increasing the tendency for dusting and scaling to develop. Once the damage is done, it can be hard to rectify and will often ruin the appearance of the finished surface. Don’t let it rain on your parade.

Do you seal broom finish concrete?

Broom finished concrete is usually sealed to keep out road salts, stains, mold and mildew. Penetrating concrete sealers are the best option to seal broom finished concrete as they will not change the look or the appearance but will provide the longest lasting protection.

How long should cement cure before rain?

If the concrete is still fresh (around 2-4 hours after pouring), it’s important to cover the surface to protect it. However, once the concrete has been finished (between 4-8 hours after pouring), and has set hard enough for walking on, the effects of rain should be minimal.

Why do you edge concrete?

Concrete Edger Tools. Concrete edgers produce a neat rounded edge along the slab perimeter which helps the slab resist chipping and spalling damage after the forms are removed.

How do you smooth sharp edges on concrete?

Apply concrete patch to the edges and corners – in order to provide a smooth, finished look, you need to add vinyl concrete patch material to the freshly-rounded corners and edges. To apply, scoop a small amount of the patch material onto a putty knife and lay it down in thin layers on the areas you just rounded.

How long after pouring concrete Can you edge it?

This can take 20 minutes or 4 hours depending on the temperature, humidity and how hard the wind is blowing. After the bleed water is all gone, you can get out your steel finishing trowel and put on the final touches.