How to Make a River Rock Sidewalk

This tell you how to build a river rock sidewalk that you can walk on or drive on. It will add beauty and value to your home. I am a woman and I did this myself in my spare time.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• river rock with at least one flat side. You will need lots of it depending on the size of your project.
• type S mortar
• lime
• sand (rock dust will do)
• trowel
• bucket to mix in
• pail of clean water
• grout sponge
• small smooth wheel
• water
• rakes
• shovel
• electric drill with a paint mixing bit
• 4 to 7 lb rubber sledge hammer

1. First you will need to make the area level. Allow for drainage if this is an area the water will pool up in.
2. Then you need to set the rocks in place with the flat sides up. They may be different thicknesses so you will have to dig in deeper for some of them trying to maintain a level surface.
3. past the halfway point Water the area down several times to pack them in.
4. Don't bury them up to the top surface. Leave about an inch or so sticking out of the dirt so you will have room to add the mortar around them.
5. Then mix your mortar with the lime and sand: approx. 2 bags of mortar to one bag of lime and 4 bags of sand.
6. Mix small amounts at a time so it will not dry up on you.
7. The mortar mixture should be the consistency of oatmeal, not dry or soupy.
8. Spray the rocks lightly (do not flood) with a hose before applying the mortar. The mortar will adhere better this way.
9. use the trowel, I used a small triangular shaped one to apply the mixture around the rocks and pack it in firmly leaving at least 1/2 inch of mortar between the rocks.
10. I used a 7 lb rubber sledge hammer to pack the rocks into the grout. any excess can be wiped off. All the time maintain a lever surface across the rocks.
11. Have a pail of clean water and a grout sponge to wipe the rocks clean.
12. The mortar may be uneven. You should still be able to press it down the next day with something smooth, I used a small wheel.
13. I just did small areas at a time. You can stop at any time when you've used up the mortar mixture. Pick up where you left off the next day or whenever it's convenient.
14. Allow it to dry for several days before walking on it. It takes time to cure and it's a lot of hard work to have to re-do.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are doing a large area, make sure you allow for drainage. If the area is on a grade, it should drain by itself. Using a electric drill with a paint mixing bit is best for mixing the mortar thoroughly. Don't make up too much at a time or it will dry up on you. Use a trowel to place the mortar around the rocks and pack it down with your hands and wipe the rocks clean with a wet grout sponge.
• Always use a comfortable kneeling pad and wear a back brace and rubber gloves. This type of work is very hard on your hands, back and knees. This is not the easiest project but if you really want to do this, your enthusiasm should carry you through it.