Quick temporary fix for ugly concrete strip?

5 years ago

This is a view from our elevated deck in the backyard. We hate this concrete walkway and will eventually take it out as we have long term plans to remove the grass in the backyard for raised beds and pea gravel. However that is several years away and I'd love a DIY fix for this eyesore. My thoughts were either to cover with the same pea gravel we used in the fire pit area, or use a concrete stain and then possibly a stencil over ( I was eyeing a scales pattern as we are trying to go loosely- mediterranean theme). Was thinking a terracotta color to tie in to the brick color on the raised beds.

As far as covering with peagravel, I wasn't sure how we'd keep it out of the grass without some type of edging, and i feel like that may end up becoming a tripping hazard. Thoughts?

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

5 years ago

A pry bar and a sledge hammer will do it. No need for a jackhammer. And it will take less time and effort than you think. Back in the day, was responsible for the removal of 60 feet worth of concrete driveway using just these tools.

Bit more than I'd take on now, as I am officially considered a senior :-) But a reasonable task for anyone younger.....even a female anyone!

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Comments (10)

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
5 years ago
Would it take long to dig it out, fill in and grass over? Anything else would just draw attention to it imo.
J. F.G.
Original Author
5 years ago
It was definitely a thought we had but at this time we don't have the energy to put a jack hammer to it--i think that would take longer than we are willing to do! (unless you have other ideas on how to do that!)
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floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
5 years ago
Is it in sections? I would have thought a crowbar under the edges would do it if it is.
J. F.G. thanked floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
kayozzy
5 years ago
If you want to remove it, I'd rent a demolition hammer. Easiest solution to break up a sidewalk by far. A jackhammer is too heavy, a sledgehammer too labor intensive. If not, I'd just clean it up and make it look intentional. Maybe a boarder of plants.
J. F.G.
Original Author
5 years ago
good to know and im sure our neighbors will be thankful :)

I'll have to snap a pic from the angle from the driveway because what this view doesn't show is that there are two steps leading down from the driveway to this walkway. Will probably look a bit strange to have steps just to grass, (and grass will probably wear away eventually since that's the path to the backyard) so that's another reason we'd like to keep it to a path (of some sort or another)l rather than tearing it out now and putting grass in.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
5 years ago
OK. It wasn't clear it was in use since it’s overgrown and ends in grass. I thought it was just a random strip of obsolete concrete.
Kate
5 years ago
Take a sledge hammer to it it is easier than anything else you mentioned.
Beth H. :
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
couldn't even see it! heck yeah,,,take a sledge hammer to it. doesn't look like you edge the grass around it, so you might as well break it up and cart it away.

but if the steps are in the way too, then at least trim the grass away from the edge, get a concrete paint, and paint it. do a stencil on it w/a diff color if you like
User
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I think I would rip out the grass at the end and bring the pea gravel right to the edge of the concrete, and then I would rip out some of the grass on both sides of the concrete path and plant floppy, messy, meandering edge plantings, and fill in with more pea gravel where needed. I wouldn’t bother painting or stenciling. In fact, I would remove the brick edging around the flower bed and just let it be natural until you really get in there and do what you want.

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