Forming a Wavy Sidewalk

Brick pavers enhance a wavy sidewalk.

Straight sidewalks are traditional paths that lead to a front door, but a wavy sidewalk literally gives homeowners an opportunity to create a bit of interest and deviate from the ordinary. While sidewalks are typically formed from concrete, a wavy sidewalk presents the ideal opportunity to use a fun and more texturally interesting surface, pavers. Whichever suits your taste and best matches your home style, a wavy sidewalk is a trip off the expected, well-worn path.

Things You'll Need

• Hardboard siding
• Shovel
• Concrete
• Mag float
• Stakes
• String
• Garden hose
• Gravel
• Concrete sand
• Tamper
• Plastic edging
• Pavers
• String
• Handheld saw
• Broom

Instructions

Concrete Sidewalk

1. Check with your local building inspector to see if it is necessary to obtain a building permit.

2. Insert temporary posts made from 12-inch hardboard siding. Flex the boards in the desired wavy shape for the sidewalk.

3. Dig out the pattern with a shovel.

4. Fill the form with the right type and strength of concrete; ready mix and transit mix are the two most common types of cement.

5. Make sweeping motions along the surface of the concrete with a mag float to finish the concrete.

6. Remove the forms and allow the concrete to dry and cure.

Paver Sidewalk

1. Use stakes and string or two garden hoses to lay out the path of the sidewalk.

2. Remove about 8 inches of topsoil with a shovel to create a bed for the pavers.
   Lay 4 inches of gravel on the surface and add about 2 inches of concrete sand on top of the gravel. Use a tamper to make sure all of the materials are level.

3. Choose the paver that best complements your project -- brick, cobblestone or square.

4. Place a strip of plastic edging to position the pavers along the curve of the sidewalk.

5. Place one layer of pavers along the width of the walkway. When the pattern is under way, run a string on the outside edge of the walkway from one end to the other. This will keep the outside edge in place as the pattern grows. Fill the bends of the sidewalk with cut pavers. Use a handheld saw with a diamond-coated blade to cut the pavers.

6. Use a broom to sweep sand into the joints to hold the pavers in place. Add more sand after one or two rainfalls.

References

• Hometime How To: Paver Patios
• Family Handyman: How to Pour a Concrete Sidewalk