Problem: A gutter downspout has been pouring water directly onto your walkway. As a result, the walkway has become cracked.
Solution: Remove the damaged concrete, install a drain tube from the downspout to the other side of the walkway, and pour new concrete around the tube.
Materials:
small and large sledgehammers
cold chisel
screws
wood or magnesium float
hammer drill, with masonry bit and Phillips driver bit
concrete saw or circular saw with a masonry blade
concrete mix
gravel
hoe
shovel
wheelbarrow
sheet-metal screws
wood stakes
PVC cleaner
PVC glue
PVC pipe
PVC elbow fitting
PVC saw
downspout adapter
2-4 pieces of rebar
two 2"x4" planks
safety glasses
dust mask
earplugs
gloves
* Do this project on a day when you expect no rain and when you've had no rain for a few days.
- Draw a line across the sidewalk about six inches on either side of the crack, and cut along the line with a concrete saw. Don't forget to wear safety glasses, earplugs, a dust mask and gloves while cutting the concrete. If you encounter any obstructions that prevent the saw from cutting all the way through the sidewalk, you can finish cutting with a cold chisel and small sledgehammer.
- Break up the concrete with a large sledgehammer, and remove the broken pieces.
- Dig a shallow ditch in the dirt to make room for the PVC pipe. The pipe will be buried in the gravel sub-base beneath the concrete.
- Use stakes and a 2"x4" plank (or 2"x6" depending on the thickness of your sidewalk) to build a support form in which to pour the new concrete. Place the plank against the edge of the concrete and hammer the stakes into the ground next to it, holding it in place. Then secure the stakes to the plank with screws (figure A). Repeat this procedure for the other side of the sidewalk if necessary.
- Place the PVC pipe with one end at the downspout and the other end under the 2"x4" plank(s). Mark the pipe where it meets the inside edge of the farthest wood plank (where it will be flush with the edge of the sidewalk), and cut the pipe using the PVC saw. Be sure to wear safety glasses while sawing the pipe.
- Clean the pipe and elbow fitting with PVC cleaner; then secure the elbow to the downspout-end of the pipe with PVC glue. Place the downspout adapter in the PVC elbow (figure B).
- Insert the downspout into the adapter. You may need to attach an additional length of downspout material with sheet-metal screws if the original downspout isn't long enough.
- Use a masonry bit with the same diameter as the rebar to drill about halfway down on the freshly cut edges of the old concrete; then tap the rebar into place with a hammer. For most walkways, two pieces of rebar on each side should be enough.
- Shovel a couple of inches of gravel over your pipe.
- Use a hoe to mix your concrete in a wheelbarrow. Add water a little at a time until your concrete has the consistency of thick oatmeal.
- Shovel concrete into the opening in your walkway until it is just above the original concrete; then tamp it down.
- Smooth over the fresh concrete with a piece of 2"x4" to level it out, a procedure known as "screeding" (figure C).
- Finally, using light pressure, smooth out the fresh concrete with a wood or magnesium float. This will help draw the water to the top of the concrete and help it cure faster. If necessary, you can add texture to your concrete by lightly dragging a broom across it. Once the concrete is dry, remove the support plank(s), and you're done.
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