With the reshingling efforts taking all my time and effort, building out the business took a back seat.  So, what to do?

For years we have wanted a sidewalk going up the front of our lawn, so that’s what was done next, and while it’s not a complicated job, it was labor intensive.

Starting with a bare canvas, the sod was removed, some stored for re-use, an old stump dug out, …

dirt was removed and graded, and crush was added for a solid base. After that, poly, rebar and chairs made the project ready for pouring.

You’ll notice the blue rebar, which is actually fiberglass, and is a new product.  It cut easily, was lightweight, and for light work such as a sidewalk, it was ideal.  Gloves are a requirement for handling though, so fair warning…. From there it was time to pour concrete, which I hadn’t done since I was in my 20’s, yet the skills were still there.

My first job in construction was with Sentinel Self Storage, where I progressed from laborer to carpenter apprentice, and poured literally thousands of meters of concrete in the years I worked for them.  Instead of being one among a team of men, this solo project was a race against time – to pour, screed, return the trailer, then cut and finish before it began to set up.  It was close… really close.

While I would change a few things in after-thought, I’m quite satisfied with the results.  From there, stripping the forms was straight forward, and all that remained was replacing the sod where it was needed.

Et voila!  No more footprints up the snow in the middle of winter because the old sidewalk was at the side, and no more cutting down the hedge alongside it annually so it could be shovelled.

If you want some small concrete work done, give us a call.  We’ll be more than happy to do the same for you.