Outdoors
Non-traditional Fun!
An unexpected sewer repair led to a creative front walkway solution that's still holding up more than two decades later.
The story behind this post runs back about 25 years ago and involves sewers, sinkholes and sidewalks. For us here at 173, it was a time relative frugality, and unexpected major repairs were slightly anxiety producing. The fun thing about times like that is several interesting decisions were made, one of which remains to this day! Let's get into it.
Once Upon a Time
Before we get into what the front walkway looks like these days, let's go back to a time long before we came to 173. If you've been hanging around here for a while, you may remember that before us, the Moshers lived here as the original owners since 1926 or 27. As a matter of fact, here's a picture of some of the Mosher children on the original front walkway back in the mid-70s.
Very traditional, with that classic look. And here's a shot taken sometime in the first few weeks after we arrived.
And this is a shot probably within months of the sewer pipe episode that changed everything. Keep reading, it'll all make sense in a minute.
I am interested in the gaps between one piece of sidewalk and the next. I am interested in the things for which we don't always have a name, and the things that are not easy to articulate - the difference between what we think and how we feel. - Amy Bloom
The Sewer Problem Nobody Wanted
Not long after purchasing 173, I was mowing the front yard and noticed a little divet in the yard next to the sidewalk coming from the front door. I didn't think much of it at the time, but it did register. Maybe a year later, I noticed the divet had become a depression, and still later a bit of a hole. Then, somewhere around '99 I noticed that the hole really had become something of note.
When the Yard Had to Be Dug Up
So I called the City and they sent a crew out to scope the city sewer line. What they found was the sewer line that comes from 173 to the city's line had dropped off the sewer main. Which, of course, meant there have to be some digging in the front yard. As you can see, the digging was considerable. You may also note the original walkway on the right.
Ultimately, the walkway and the whole front yard were torn up. Just the cost of doing business I suppose.
The upside was... it gave us an opportunity to make choices we hadn't previously considered!
A Budget-Friendly Walkway Idea
This is where the mention of frugality comes into play. Back when the sewer pipe had to be replaced, careers were still in their infancy and, while we lacked for nothing, we had to be careful and smart with money. That said, after I told the guys we didn't want them to replace the walkway, we had to figure out what we wanted. A couple things were certain... it couldn't be a straight shot across the yard and, we wanted stone. Problem was... that much stone wasn't in the budget. Then one day I was at Home Depot in the concrete section and I came across a concrete stamp in the shape of stones. Perfect! So I grabbed one of those and a bottle of a tan-colored concrete dye.
Making the Concrete Stones
This stamping form is a plastic mold, and here's how you're supposed to use it. First, you clear the area where you want to create the walkway and level the ground. Then you pour the concrete into the mold. After the concrete sets, you remove the mold and repeat the process to create the desired length and pattern. Easy peezy lemon sqeeezy right?
If you're reading this...Congratulations, you're alive.If that's not something to smile about,then I don't know what is. - Chad Sugg, Monsters Under Your Head
Doing It the Wrong Way (or the Better Way)
Probably, but....I didn't do it that way - of course. I'd like to say I didn't do it that way because I had a better idea but quite frankly when I went to use it I really had no idea how it would work. So I did what I thought was the best way to go - I laid down two 4 foot by 8 foot pieces of plywood and made all the stones I would need in the molds. This may seem like pretty much the same idea but instead of doing this in the space that I wanted to put the walkway, I ended up putting the stones in place separately. Laying them individually like they were real stones broke up what would have ended up being a pattern if I had done it the"right" way. So now the walkway has a more random-looking layout. And by the following summer, the grass had grown in...
...and the walkway was becoming just part of the landscape!
Twenty-Five Years Later
And of course, 173 has continued to evolve over these past couple decades...
A Small Repair After Decades of Service
As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, I had noticed a depression develop at one end of the walkway caused by the ground settling. To fix it and widen the path a little, I needed a few more stones. Out came the stamp and concrete dye.
And just like that - we had a few new stones!
With a little soil and leveling sand, and an hour or two monkeying around with levels and trowels, the walkway was good as new!
It's a Wrap
And that's the story of the non-traditional walkway at 173! I should also mention, after 25 years, this homemade concrete walkway has required only one minor repair, making it one of the most durable DIY projects we've completed at House 173.
And ... the grass had already begun to grow between the stones again, and in a few more weeks it'll all look good as new!
Hey, thanks for stopping by! See ya' next time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a concrete walkway mold?
A concrete walkway mold is a reusable form designed to create individual stones or patterned sections that resemble natural flagstone, slate, or cut stone.
Is it cheaper to use concrete molds than real stone?
Usually yes. Concrete molds can create a similar visual effect at a fraction of the cost of purchasing and installing natural stone.
Can concrete stepping stones be made individually?
Absolutely. Individual stones can be cast separately and installed later, allowing more flexibility and a less repetitive appearance than continuous molded sections.
How do you keep a walkway from looking too uniform?
Varying the spacing, rotating individual stones, adjusting placement, and allowing grass or groundcover between stones can create a more natural appearance.
Should concrete stepping stones be installed on sand?
A compacted base with leveling sand is commonly used because it helps distribute weight, improves drainage, and makes future adjustments easier.
How long do homemade concrete stepping stones last?
When properly made and installed, concrete stepping stones can last for decades. The fact that this walkway required only minor repairs after 25 years is a testament to that durability.
Why do walkways settle over time?
Soil movement, freeze-thaw cycles, water drainage, and natural settling can all cause individual stones to shift or sink slightly over many years.
Can settled stepping stones be repaired without replacing them?
Yes. In many cases, the stone can be lifted, additional base material added, and the stone reset to its original height.
Is concrete dye added to the mix or applied afterward?
Concrete colorants can be mixed directly into wet concrete or applied as stains after curing. Mixing the color into the concrete generally produces more consistent results.
What are the advantages of a stepping-stone walkway over a solid sidewalk?
Stepping-stone walkways often feel less formal, allow more water infiltration, blend naturally into landscaping, and can be repaired one section at a time.
Why did making the stones separately improve the appearance?
Casting the stones individually allowed them to be arranged randomly, avoiding the repeating pattern that often reveals a molded walkway.
What is the biggest lesson from a 25-year-old DIY project?
Sometimes practical, budget-friendly solutions perform far better than expected. Good ideas don't have to be expensive to stand the test of time.
Keywords
front walkway, DIY walkway, concrete stepping stones, walkway mold, faux stone walkway, front yard landscaping, stepping stone path, concrete walkway ideas, budget landscaping, curb appeal