DIY: Making Concrete Pavers

Make your own concrete pavers.

When considering a landscape project, concrete pavers significantly add to the look and feel of the design. Most pre-cast pavers are expensive to buy and install. You can make your own concrete pavers to make walkways and patios for the fraction of the cost. The molds come in a variety of shapes, sizes and texture. Add coloring agents to get the exact look you want.

Things You'll Need

• Concrete mixing pan or concrete mixer Garden shovel Coloring agent Concrete mix Kitchen spray lubricant Paver molds Short stick

Instructions

1. Buy a set or several sets of paver molds. The more molds you have, the quicker you can complete the project.

2. Calculate how much concrete is needed for your project. The coverage is approximately two square feet per 80-pound bag of concrete mix. Buy concrete mix with a minimum compression strength of 4000 psi.

3. Set up a level working area to pour molds. Use a kitchen lubricant spray to coat the surface of the molds. Be careful not to use excessive amounts of lubricant as it will pit the surface of the pavers.

4. Pour the concrete mix into the mixing pan and add a coloring agent if desired. Using a shovel, mix the coloring thoroughly with the dry concrete. Add water as per the instructions on the bag until it has the consistency to barely pour out of the mixing pan. Mixing concrete too thin will result in weak pavers.

5. Pour the concrete mix into the mold until it is half full. Using a small stick, tap on the bottom and sides of the mold. This will settle the concrete and even out the surface. It will also remove most of the tiny air bubbles in the mix. Pour the remaining concrete into the molds and tap it again with the stick until the top surface evens out. Excess liquid will readily come to the surface.

6. Allow the pavers to dry for 24 to 48 hours. Remove the pavers from the molds by flipping them over on a flat surface and gently pulling upwards on the corners of the molds until they pop out. Re-lubricate for the next batch.

7. Keep the pavers damp and out of the sun if possible. Allow them to cure for an additional week before installation.

References

• Ezine Articles: Easy Concrete Pavers
• The Mold Store: How to Make Custom Pavers with Concrete and Molds