A Guide to Concrete Mold

There are various different types of molds out there, and concrete mold is just one of the many. You can build many different things with a concrete mold however the most popular option is to build a walkway. You can create a very convenient and inexpensive walkway with concrete and a walkway mold, and you can even use molds that will allow you to create walkways that resemble cobblestone or brick.

Getting Started

The first thing you want to do if you want to use a concrete mold in order to build a walkway is to get all of the materials together that you are going to need for the project. This includes: walkway mold, wheelbarrow, trowel or bucket, shovel, dust mask, eye protection, rubber boots, rubber gloves, concrete mix, concrete color, sand, wooden stakes, six mil plastic sheeting, water and concrete sealer.

Laying out the Concrete Mold Walkway

Now that you have everything together you are ready to get started by laying out the concrete mold walkway. First you need to lay out the perimeter of the walkway and drive wooden stakes into the ground at each corner. You need to follow the directions on the mold that you purchased to mix the concrete, adding color to make the walkway resemble cobblestone or brick.

You need to make sure that you wet the mold with water before you begin adding the concrete, and then beginning in one corner of the walkway you want to start laying the mold into place. Then with your bucket or trowel you want to fill each cavity of the mold with concrete, and make sure that the concrete is level with the top of the mold.

Smooth the surface with the trowel, and in about five to ten minutes after that you want to lift the mold. Butt the mold against the first section and continue to build your walkway. By rotating the mold one-quarter turn each time, you are creating variation in the pattern and this is very important.

To finish off you want to sprinkle sand or dry mortar mix on top of your walkway after it is set, and then brush it into all of the joints with a broom. Mist lightly with a garden hose, and then place six mil plastic sheeting over the concrete for two to three days in order to prevent the surface from drying too quickly, which may result in cracking.