How to Build a Walkway with QUIKRETE Walkmaker

Building a new concrete walkway can seem like a challenging and time-consuming home project, but with a QUIKRETE Walkmaker, creating a new walkway or garden path can be completed in a few easy steps.

The QUIKRETE Walkmaker is a reusable two-foot by two-foot plastic form made of recycled plastic. The Walkmaker form can simply be placed on the ground and filled with concrete. No extensive surface preparation or form building is required. To get started, prepare the project site by leveling the ground, removing sod or soil as needed.

Because the Walkmaker allows the concrete to conform to the surface contours, very little preparation is necessary. QUIKRETE Crack Resistant Concrete Mix is recommended for use with the Walkmaker. The crack resistant concrete is fiber reinforced to reduce shrinkage cracking and to improve impact resistance. The rich mix is also very workable and easy to finish.

Each Walkmaker form is designed for use with one 80-pound bag of QUIKRETE Concrete Mix. Try adding one the five QUIKRETE Liquid Cement Colors to the standard grey concrete mix. Liquid colors can add a decorative touch to your project with professional results.

Use one 10-ounce bottle of QUIKRETE Liquid Cement Color to color up to two bags of 60 or 80-pound concrete mix. The liquid cement color should be blended into the mixing water before adding it to the mix. Make sure to use the same water-to- color ratio. This will help maintain color uniformity from batch to batch.

Place the Walkmaker form on the ground and begin to fill the cavities with concrete. Using a margin trowel, press the concrete mix into the form. Work from the corners to consolidate the concrete and eliminate any voids. Next, just smooth the surface and immediately remove the form.

There is no need to wait for the concrete to set. Then, simply rotate the form a quarter of a turn to vary the pattern for a random look. Before the concrete becomes thumbprint hard in about an hour or so, use a trial to smooth any edges. Begin curing the concrete immediately after the Sheen has left the surface.

Freshly placed concrete should be water cured for a minimum of 3 to 5 days with a fine water mist. The curing step is necessary for concrete to achieve its design strength and for a durable, long-lasting surface. Curing will also reduce shrinkage cracking.

The need for water curing can be eliminated by applying QUIKRETE Acrylic Concrete Cure N’ Seal immediately after finishing the concrete. The Acrylic Cure N’ Seal can be applied with a roller, garden sprayer, or a brush. The Acrylic Cure N’ Seal will also provide a semi-gloss sheen that repels water and protects the concrete from oil, grease, and food stains.

Because each Walkmaker form requires only one 80-pound bag of concrete, an entire Walkmaker project can be completed over a weekend. Or, you can complete one section at a time as your schedule permits.

Walkmaker projects can be easily completed by one person, or can involve the entire family. QUIKRETE Walkmakers are available in a variety of form patterns, including Country Stone, European Block, Running Bond Brick, and Basket Weave. Simply choose the pattern that suits your landscape design.

Project Instructions

When working with cement-based products, always wear eye protection and waterproof gloves.

Step 1
Level the ground removing sod or soil.

Step 2
Mix QUIKRETE Crack Resistant Concrete. If using liquid cement color, add to the mixing water.

TIP: each 2’x2’ Walkmaker form is designed for use with one 80-pound bag of QUIKRETE concrete Mix.

Step 3
Place the Walkmaker form on the ground and begin to fill the cavities with concrete.

Step 4
Using a margin trowel, press the concrete mix into the form working from the corners to consolidate the concrete and eliminate any voids.

Step 5
Smooth the surface and immediately remove the form (there is no need to wait for the concrete to set).

Step 6
Rotate the form a quarter of a turn to vary the pattern for a random look.

Step 7
Use a trowel to smooth any rough edges before the concrete becomes “thumbprint” hard.

Step 8
Begin curing the concrete immediately after the sheen has left the surface of the concrete.

Step 9
Freshly placed concrete should be water cured for a minimum of 3 to 5 days with a fine water mist.

TIP: water curing can be eliminated by applying QUIKRETE Acrylic Concrete Cure & Seal immediately after finishing the concrete. Acrylic Cure & Seal can be applied with a roller, garden sprayer or a brush.