She Uses Bags Of Quikrete To Transform Her Side Yard With DIY Pavers

Laying large pavers in your backyard is a good idea, especially in high traffic areas. Side yards are frequently used to access your backyard from the front of your property, and because of this, you'll likely want to have some kind of walkway to prevent your grass from becoming damaged and boggy. Pavers are a great option as they are durable, hardwearing, and easy to keep clean. However, having a professional lay a large paved pathway can be expensive. The average cost ranges between $15 to $40 per square foot, with bigger projects generally costing up to $8,000. Large-format slabs might make a DIY install quicker, but they can also come with a hefty price tag. If you don't have the budget, or simply want to have a go yourself, be inspired by Alaina Kathleen Ford on TikTok and use dry pour Quikrete to create your own budget-friendly path. She successfully transformed her dirt side yard into a functional walkway by molding her own large pavers out of Quikrete. 

A dry-pour mix like Quikrete has some advantages over traditional concrete, including a quicker pouring and setting process with less labor and no heavy duty mixing equipment. That makes it an ideal option for those that want to transform their own space with a stylish paved walkway, as opposed to calling in a professional to help. To recreate Ford's DIY paver project that will elevate your yard, you'll need to purchase or collect 2-by-4 planks of wood to build a temporary frame for each slab. You'll also need wire mesh, dry pour Quikrete, a rake, a screeding level, and a water source, like a garden hose. 

Read more: Concrete Blocks Vs Cinder Blocks: What's The Difference?

Dry pouring Quikrete into paver slab frames easily builds a walkway

In her video shared on TikTok, Alaina Kathleen Ford began built a rectangular frame for each of the concrete slabs in her path. However, you could opt to remove and reset the frame for each new slab after the previous one hardens. One key thing to remember is drainage. If your slabs will be large and difficult to adjust later, make sure your frame is sloped ever so slightly on the gravel or soil base. Tilt it away from your house so that water doesn't pool on top of your pavers or around your home's foundation. 

Once you are happy with the framework you've created, it's time to pour in your first layer of Quikrete High Strength Concrete Mix, which you can get from Home Depot for just $6.24 per 80lb bag. Always wear a mask to avoid inhaling the concrete dust, which can be dangerous. According to the package directions, two bags of Quikrete can form a 2 square foot slab that's 4 to 6 inches thick. You may be able to stretch it further, but it's generally recommended that each paver should be at least 2 inches to deal with foot traffic.

In her video, Ford uses about five bags of Quikrete dry mix per slab, raking to spread out the first two bags evenly within the frame, then laying wire mesh for reinforcement before adding more Quikrete. Level the last bag with the top of your wooden frame and use a screeding level or hand trowel to make sure it's totally smooth. Once you're happy, grab a garden hose to gently mist your Quikrete with water until it's fully saturated. Give each slab at least 24 hours to set.

Tips for maintaining your Quikrete paver walkway

There are a few things you'll want to bear in mind with this project. Yes, dry pouring Quikrete is quick and convenient. But, it is also said to have lower overall strength, especially if the large slabs don't absorb water evenly. Therefore, using it to create large pavers can have some mixed results. Instead, creating smaller pavers to cover the same size area could be a more reliable solution.

To ensure that your pavers last as long as possible, it's important to keep them clean and maintained; once or twice per year is usually enough. For this, use a solution of liquid dish detergent and water, and take a stiff bristle brush to give them a good scrub. To achieve a deeper clean, you can also use a pressure washer to blast away any stubborn dirt or stains. 

Some commenters on Alaina Kathleen Ford's TikTok video were skeptical about how long this project would last, but if you follow a regular maintenance routine, you can expect your Quikrete pavers to hold up for 10 to 15 years. However, this could be lower if you live in a colder climate, due to the possibility of cracking. For comparison, pavers constructed from wet-poured concrete will last 30 years plus, so this is definitely something to consider before committing to this DIY project.

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