DIY Pouring Concrete for a Sidewalk Section

Install concrete reinforcing wire inside the forms prior to pouring the concrete. Cut the wire with bolt cutters to fit inside the forms. Place the wire on 2-inch concrete wire chairs, which are found at any hardware store that supplies concrete materials.

Mix the concrete according to the manufacturer's instructions. Pour concrete inside the sidewalk forms slowly to prevent the concrete reinforcing wire from falling off of the wire chairs. Distribute the concrete around with a concrete rake or a hard rake. Compact the concrete down with the rake to force it tight against the edges of the wooden forms.

Place a 2-inch by 4-inch (2x4) board across the wooden sidewalk forms with the edge facing up. Slide the 2x4 back and forth across the concrete using the wooden forms as a guide. The concrete must be level with the top of the sidewalk forms. Remove excess concrete with a shovel or add more in areas where it is needed as you pull the 2x4 across the surface.

Allow the concrete to set in the forms for 15 minutes. Smooth the surface of the concrete with a concrete hand trowel. Rub the trowel across the surface of the concrete in circular motions as you work your way from the middle of the sidewalk to the outside edges.

Slide a concrete edger along the edge of the concrete between the wet concrete and the wooden concrete forms after the concrete has set for 30 minutes. The edger will round the edges of the concrete and produce a finished concrete edge.

Gently pull a push broom across the surface of the concrete after one hour, creating a sand finish on the surface of the sidewalk. Do not place excessive pressure on the broom since this will damage the concrete.

Allow the concrete to set for 24 hours and remove the wooden forms, being careful not to damage the edges or surface of the concrete during removal.