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How to make a brick and concrete path
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Step 5:
Pour the concrete
If the consistency of the concrete is right, you should be able to lay the bricks on top of it soon after pouring and screeding.
The concrete should be of a consistency to hold the weight of the bricks yet still soft enough to be able to push a brick in a little if so required.
If the concrete is too soft/runny (i.e. the bricks sink into it), it might pay to wait a while until the concrete firms a bit.
Lay the bricks on the screeded concrete hard against the formwork.
Once all the bricks are in place, leave overnight for the concrete to harden somewhat.
The next day
Dampen (with fine spray from a hose) the work area and the bricks.
Pour concrete into the middle cavities.
Try not to splash too much on the bricks.
Any slashed or spilled concrete on the brickwork must be wiped off with a damp cloth or sponge before the concrete sets.
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Step 6:
Fill the cavities to the top with concrete. Make the concrete level.
Smooth over the level concrete with a trowel or float. Hold the blade flat against the surface and sweep it back and forth in arcs.
Tip: you will probably not get it near perfect in the first going-over, but that doesn't matter. Leave it until it dries a bit or until all the excess surface water has evaporated and then re trowel.
A novice may need to go over it another two or three times to get a nice smooth finish, letting it dry a bit before each going over
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Step 7:
Exposing the gravel/aggregate
To achieve an exposed gravel/aggregate finish, hose away the surface concrete to expose the gravel/aggregate.
How?
Let the concrete set for a bit. There should be no moisture on top and the concrete should be hard enough to scratch your name in it with a stick without
the scratch imprint closing up (not that you would do that, of course).
Begin the hosing procedure. Set the spray nozzle to slightly above medium (a bit like a strong shower).
Spray over the surface with the hose starting at the highest point (do not hose uphill). Walk along the side of the path at a steady gait while spraying the concrete. It doesn't take long and you should notice straight away
if the hose spray is too strong or not strong enough.
Note: The required spray pressure will be dependant on how hard the concrete is at the time of spraying.
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Step 8:
Give the concrete a couple of days to cure and then pour sand over the whole path. Sweep some of it into the gaps between the bricks.
Leave the loose sand on top of the path for two or three days and give it a brush every now and then.
Slowly the sand will fill and compact between the bricks.
You can then sweep and clean the path properly.
Take off the formwork (if you haven't already done so), pull out the pegs and fill up the sides with soil.
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Page three: The bricks and the concrete
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