How to Do a Concrete Mold Brick Path

Design Your Walkway

• 1

  Select the concrete brick stamps you will use for your project and buy or rent enough of them to cover 1.5 times the width of your project. Stamps come in a variety of running patterns, including edging and in rigid and flexible (for bending around corners) material.

• 2

  Lay out your walkway to scale on paper, first making sure that you conform to the width of stamps you will be using. Incorporate right angle turns and gentle curves rather than tight radius bends in your design. Plan for expansion joints.

• 3

  Choose the concrete color or stain for the walkway, or plan on using both if desired. Your color choice should simulate the look of real brick.

Prepare the Sub-Base, form the Walkway

• 4

  Transfer the basic shape and width of your walkway layout to the landscape, using spray paint or chalk.

• 5

  Remove any sod and dig down to a depth of at least 4 inches, making sure you slope the walkway sub-base slightly so it drains away from the house and other structures.

• 6

  Pound in two concrete forming stakes the width of the walkway at the beginning and end of all straight runs. Stretch string lines between the stakes to the height of the finished slab and check for level along the length with a line level.

• 7

  Pound concrete forming stakes every 18 to 24 inches along the chalk line, then nail 2x4 concrete forms to the stakes. Check for proper height and use a level across the walkway. Pound stakes around the radius of any curves the width of the walkway and nail four pieces of bender board to the stakes. Install the expansion joints perpendicular to the forms.

Pour and Stamp the Concrete

• 8

  Pour a "fatty" mix of concrete. Surface and float the entire slab, taking care not to leave any deep ridges in the surface. Allow the bleed water to evaporate from the surface and check to see when the concrete is ready for stamping. The surface will reach a creamy consistency and you will be able to press your finger in about 1/2 inch.

• 9

  Sprinkle or brush on a uniform layer of powdered release agent over the entire surface.

• 10

  Position your first stamp for the brick pattern and press lightly in place. Fit the stamp that goes next to it and repeat until you have reached the width of your walkway. Fit enough stamps for the second row to cover half the width. Fit your stamps for brick borders if you are using them.

• 11

  Tamp the stamps firmly and uniformly into place with a tamper, taking care not to press too hard. Pull the stamps straight up from the concrete surface. Wipe off any excess concrete.

• 12

  Reposition the stamps and repeat for the entire length of the walkway. Add any brushed surface texture desired. Allow the stamped walkway to surface cure.

• 13

  Brush or hose off excess release agent.

• 14

  Apply concrete stain (if you are using it) according to the manufacturer's directions when the slab has completely cured.

• 15

  Apply the number of coats of concrete sealer recommended by the manufacturer, when the concrete stain has dried or when the slab has completely cured if you are not using stain.