How to Lay Stone Over a Concrete Walkway

Stone is a material that has been and remains to be a very popular choice for paving walkways, as it is a generally cheap material that is readily available and can usually outlast just about any other paving material. The addition of stone to an existing concrete walkway can create a much more aesthetically pleasing environment and can be easily installed by just about anyone with the right tools and direction.

Things You'll Need

• Mortar mix
• Wheel barrow
• Square-tipped shovel
• Brick trowel
• Rubber mallet
• 3-foot level
• 1-foot level
• Angle grinder with concrete diamond blade
• Mason hammer

Instructions

1. Lay out the stones across the walkway, fitting the existing natural shape of the stones like a puzzle, and cutting any stones using the angle grinder when necessary. If there is a stone that needs to be cut, and you want to maintain a natural looking edge, cut the stone about half way through from the bottom using the angle grinder, then tap the stone with the mason hammer to break it free.

2. Mix the mortar in the wheel barrow with the shovel according to the directions indicated on the mortar packaging.

3. Set a stone aside and apply a generous amount of mortar to its place using the brick trowel. Apply enough mortar so that when you replace the stone, you will have about 1/2 inch of mortar between the stone and the existing concrete.

4. Set the 1-foot level across the newly set stone face and tap it (the stone) with the rubber mallet to level if necessary; repeat in the perpendicular direction.

5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 on the remaining stones, using the 3-foot level to keep the stones at the same level.

References

• "Building with Stone;" Charles McRaven; 1989
• "The Art & Craft of Stonework;" David Reed; 2003