Does anyone know how to make DIY cement stepping stones?
by
Dana Janysek
+2
Watching one of the Yard Crashers episode, I saw them working on the yard cement steps but not all the instructions were given. If anyone can tell me step by step on how to make these steps about 2X3 or larger with a flat surface, I really would appreciate your comments.
5 answers
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Hi Dana, there are a bunch of great stepping stone tutorials on Hometalk, search "cement stepping stones" to find them: https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=cement%20stepping%20stones
Shira
on Mar 23, 2015
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Do you want them a specific shape? If not, I like to mold stepping stones in place by digging out the shape in the turf or ground, then filling it with concrete mix and shaping it with a trowel. I can make them big and don't have to move them! If you want it to look like a stone, use cement w/o gravel (not ready-mix, which has gravel included). Use the trowel to make stone-like markings in the top. You can even mix in a concrete colorant if you want it a color other than gray. Concrete is easy to mix in small batches, but don't breathe the powder. Wear a mask. Mix in water until its the consistency of chocolate-chip cookie dough. It should mound up. Don't make it too thin. You can put the color in the water or sprinkle it on top of the stone before the concrete sets up.
Martha
on Mar 23, 2015
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I am in the process of making some more for my back yard. I did some a few years ago. Whatever you do, use a concrete that is crack resistant so it doesn't crack. Otherwise under pressure, they will. I simple sprinkle some of the colorant on like Martha said above, I don't want a solid color of steps. You don't need a mold, just heap a pile of cement the side you want. Push is down using a trowel and then shape the sides. You can use old plastic bags pressed into the top before it totally sets to give it some texture. It takes a few days for them to completely dry. Then you could also paint them with a glow in the dark paint to light the path!
Jill
on Mar 23, 2015
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I also use wet sand to mold mine by digging out the shape and size and smoothing the edges and bottom of the hole. That way you can change where you put them in your garden. Make sure you use crack resistant cement. Once it is partially set you can use different things to texture it... plastic bags, smooth stones, marbles, or simply a crumpled up plastic bag. Have fun
Pat1259011
on Mar 25, 2015
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My son had the brilliant idea of digging out a flat surface and just laying the bag of cement on it. The rain took care of the rest and the bag kept the shape. .
Normanda
on Mar 08, 2016
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