How to Get Lines in Concrete Walkways

Professional contractors build concrete walkways with expansion control joints cut every four to eight feet. Because concrete expands and contracts in hot and cold weather the sidewalk would crack if the joints were not there. They are cut with a straightedge as you would cut cake and sometimes lined with plastic. The other lines made in concrete walkways are known as broom marks. They are made with a concrete broom and are intended to provide traction when the sidewalk gets wet.

Board with level edge
Bull float
Straightedge
Concrete broom
Water hose
Plastic sheets

Instructions

- 1
  Pull a board over the freshly poured surface to level and compact the concrete.
- 2
  Float the sidewalk with a bull float or a darby to smooth the concrete surface. A darby is a large, flat, two-handed trowel. A bull float is a darby with a long handle that allows masons to float the concrete standing up.
- 3
  Cut the expansion control joints in the concrete within six hours after floating using a straightedge. Cut joints every four to eight feet but no less than 30 times the thickness of the sidewalk. Cut the expansion joints at least 1 inch deep.
- 4
  Wet a concrete broom by spraying it with water from a hose. Push the wet concrete broom across the width of the sidewalk. Cover the sidewalk with plastic sheets for at least one week while the concrete cures.

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