Replacing an Old, Tired Walkway the Right Way
Sometimes replacing an old walkway is about more than simply taking out the old concrete and putting down new pavers. Once you start digging, you never know what you’re going to find underneath!
On this project, we removed an old, tired concrete walk and discovered a layer of foam board underneath the concrete. Once that came out, we found another challenge — a substantial layer of gray clay.
Clay can hold a lot of moisture, and when you combine that moisture with our freeze-and-thaw cycles, it can cause a walkway to move, heave, and settle over time. So instead of simply covering it back up, we dug a little deeper and prepared the base properly.
Building a Better Base
After excavating the problem area, we installed 3/4-inch stone to create a solid, well-draining foundation.
Next, we installed 2-inch foam board insulation. This helps protect the walkway from frost movement by reducing how deeply freezing temperatures can penetrate beneath the hardscape.
It’s an extra step, but when conditions call for it, it can make a big difference in the longevity of the finished walkway.
Gravel, Sand & Pavers
With the foam board in place, the next step was installing our gravel base. The gravel was carefully placed and thoroughly compacted to give the new walkway a strong, stable foundation.
Then came the bedding sand. We screeded the sand to create a smooth, consistent surface before laying the pavers.
Finally, the pavers went down, followed by granite cobbles along the edges. The granite gives the walkway a beautiful finished appearance while providing strong, durable edging that helps keep everything in place.
The Finishing Touches
Once the hardscape work was complete, we cleaned up and repaired the surrounding lawn areas so the new walkway looked like it belonged there.
Old concrete out. Problem soil addressed. Proper base installed. New pavers and granite edging in.
And just like that, an old, tired walkway has a whole new life. :)
At Hodgdon-Tyler Family Landscaping, we believe the work underneath your walkway is just as important as what you see on top. Taking the time to build the base correctly helps create a finished product that looks great and is built to handle New England weather for years to come.
Thinking about replacing an old walkway, patio, or other hardscape? Contact Hodgdon-Tyler Family Landscaping to talk about your next project.
