Having Your Concrete Driveway Demolished To Install A New One? Create A Walkway With The Pieces
If you have an old concrete driveway that you're having demolished to build a new one with pavers instead, you might be wondering what's going to happen to all that concrete. If you don't do something with it, the workers will likely take it to the newest landfill where it does nothing but sit there. However, you can use it for projects around the home that you can work on while your new patio is built. One idea is a walkway, and these steps provide the details on getting the job done.
Step 1: Choose the Walkway Area
A walkway made with concrete pieces is best for a backyard or garden area. You'll have grass growing between the pieces that you'll trim when needed with a weed trimmer, so pick an area other than the spot leading from your new driveway to the front door. Some ideas include:
- between the side of your house and your fence
- around your garden
- grassy area between your patio and gazebo
Step 2: Choose the Concrete Pieces
Ask the contractors if you can inspect the pieces of concrete that they break up to pick out the best ones. Look for pieces that are at least as long as a large shoe to give a solid footing for anyone walking on them.
You don't have to look for pieces that are exactly the same shape. In fact, using various shapes provides a unique looking walkway that appears custom-made.
Step 3: Lay out the Pieces
Take the broken pieces of concrete to the area where you want the walkway, and lay them out in various designs until you find the one you like. Depending on how wide the pieces are, design two to three rows of broken concrete.
Step 4: Dig the Area
Use a hand shovel to put holes in the ground around the concrete pieces.
Pick up the piece and set it aside.
Dig a hole just deep enough for the concrete to sit in.
Step 5: Insert the Concrete
Place the concrete pieces in their holes. There is no need for weed barrier because grass and weeds can grow around the concrete but they can't grow through it.
Plan to spend a few hours on this project. You'll spend much of this time choosing the concrete pieces and designing the layout. Ask your local recycling/demolition expert, such as Alpart Scrap Iron & Metals Inc, for other ideas on repurposing concrete during your demolition project, so that you can prevent most of it from ending up in the landfill.
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