HOME PROJECTS 377 



The foundation. A good foundation is an important essen- 

 tial in the construction of a concrete sidewalk. As a rule 

 under normal conditions of soil and climate the foundation 

 should be from 6 inches to 10 inches thick. For this project 

 plan to build a walk consisting of a 4-inch layer of concrete 

 resting upon a 6-inch foundation, with the surface of the 

 walk 2 inches above the level of the ground. Excavate to a 

 depth of 8 inches. Fill in 6 inches of cinders,, gravel, or 

 crushed rock, tamping it down thoroughly as it is being filled. 

 It would be a good plan to wet down the foundation as it 

 is being tamped. Allow for drainage by extending the exca- 

 vation 2 inches or 3 inches on each side of the walk. On each 

 side on top of the foundation place 2x4-inch straight string- 

 ers, and drive stakes down outside of stringers to hold them 

 in place. 



Making 1 the concrete. Use a mixture of 1:2:4 and mix 

 with sufficient water to make the concrete moderately wet. 

 Tamp the concrete until the water appears on the surface. 

 Spread a finishing, coat about 1 inch thick made of a mixture 

 of 1 :-l. To prevent the cement from chipping off, coat the 

 cement below the surface layer with pure cement before apply- 

 ing the finishing coat. Level off the finishing coat, smooth 

 it with a float, and groove with a jointer. Keep the walk 

 covered and wet for two or three days after being laid to 

 allow it to dry uniformly. Wet sawdust or wet sand is a 

 good covering, or strips of canvas held in place by weights 

 may be used. 



Notebook record. For the notebook record of this project 

 draw a sketch of the sidewalk, showing the depth, length, 



