Using Portland Cement For Stepping Stones

If you are making stepping stones using a mosaic pattern of tiles glass or porcelain pieces consider using premixed cement or concrete with a high sand content instead of typical premixed concrete.

Using portland cement for stepping stones.

Round leaf print stepping stones. So called stepping stone concrete is probably not worth the high price and there is really no reason to opt for any special concrete formulas such as crack resistant or high strength formulas when casting stepping stones. Once you ve selected concrete and have an idea of what you want your cement stepping stones to look like you might think it s smooth sailing from there but concrete can be tricky to work with. Follow the instructions for making the hopscotch stepping stones but use the leaf imprint stepping stones to decorate them.

Making your own concrete stepping stones is a fun summertime activity that adds a personal touch to your garden. I often have to do some clean up when the liquid oozes under the. If you are installing your own paver patio path or driveway and thinking of mixing cement and sand together to mortar your. Measure 1 gallon of portland cement 2 gallons of clean dry sand and 3 gallons of clean coarse gravel into a wheelbarrow and use a shovel or hoe to blend the dry ingredients thoroughly.

I use portland cement for my stepping stones mixed just as you would for any concrete pour. This called hydration hardening of the concrete when using portland cement alone you only need add enough water to completely hydrate it causing the clinker sulphates and gypsum to dissolve. Mix portland cement with water a little at a time until it it as thick as oatmeal. For a stepping stone you use straight portland cement mixed with water to make a thick batter.

You can use almost anything as a mold as long as it s smooth and can release the stone once it s cured. Producing a pourable alkaline sulfate rich solution. Here are some tips on how to use concrete for stepping stones. My crafty friend kimberly came up with the idea to make these monogrammed stepping stones when we were crafting together one day.

Diy garden stepping stones basic stepping stone recipe. If you want your kids to help than i recommend doing all the above steps alone. It is the effort you put in not the cost of the concrete that will make your stepping stones special. And yes i set them on a very flat surface a table or something of that sort.

Cement and high sand concrete has a finer texture that is more like grout or mortar so it will provide a better surface for embedding tiles or. Portland cement is anhydrous and forms a hydraulic cement when water is added. Make sure it is well mixed and then pour it into your mold using the cup or ladle.