I have a small sidewalk I am working on. The other sidewalks have the
pea gravel & concrete look formed by washing off the concrete before
it sets.
How do I know and when is the right time to wash off the top layer of
concrete to expose the mixed-in pea gravel?
I was told to wait an hour afterwards. Use a garden hose and broad
broom to lightly remove the concretre.
Any other suggestions? Some have suggested a concrete retardent, but
I could not find any at Home Depot!
Some have suggested a concrete supplier, but said that they carry it
in a 5 gal bucket. Others said that it is not necessary for a small
patch.
Any other things I should know??

Deodiaus wrote:

I have a small sidewalk I am working on. The other sidewalks have the
pea gravel & concrete look formed by washing off the concrete before
it sets.
How do I know and when is the right time to wash off the top layer of
concrete to expose the mixed-in pea gravel?
I was told to wait an hour afterwards.

Or two. . . or 20 minutes. It depends on how wet you mix was, how
humid the day is- and what the temp is. Just be forewarned. If
this is your first try you might want to do a test batch and make some
portable stepping stones. [I have a form I built that makes 3
12x12x2 'pavers'. I dump the leftover concrete from a 'real job' in
these squares- sometimes 1, 2, or all 3] They come in handy
sometimes, and make me feel like I'm not wasting anything.

Use a garden hose and broad
broom to lightly remove the concretre.
Any other suggestions?

Don't over wet it- it is an art.

Some have suggested a concrete retardent, but
I could not find any at Home Depot!
Some have suggested a concrete supplier, but said that they carry it
in a 5 gal bucket. Others said that it is not necessary for a small
patch.

I agree you don't need retardant.

Any other things I should know??

Did you prepare the base well? Are you allowing for expansion?
Cracking?

How big is 'small'?
Jim

"Jim Elbrecht" wrote in message
...

If this is your first try you might want to do a test batch and make some
portable stepping stones. [I have a form I built that makes 3
12x12x2 'pavers'. I dump the leftover concrete from a 'real job' in
these squares- sometimes 1, 2, or all 3] They come in handy
sometimes, and make me feel like I'm not wasting anything.


What a really neat concept. I really like that!

I never seem to wind up with the exact amount.

Colbyt

Deodiaus | 2009-07-07 | 4:06:15 PM wrote:

I have a small sidewalk I am working on. The other sidewalks have the
pea gravel & concrete look formed by washing off the concrete before
it sets.
How do I know and when is the right time to wash off the top layer of
concrete to expose the mixed-in pea gravel?
I was told to wait an hour afterwards. Use a garden hose and broad
broom to lightly remove the concretre.
Any other suggestions? Some have suggested a concrete retardent, but
I could not find any at Home Depot!
Some have suggested a concrete supplier, but said that they carry it
in a 5 gal bucket. Others said that it is not necessary for a small
patch.
Any other things I should know??

The term you're looking for is "exposed aggregate concrete". Search on
that, and you'll find loads of help.

--
Steve Bell
New Life Home Improvement
Arlington, TX USA

wrote:

The aggregate will tend to clean up more as time goes by so don't go
crazy cleaning it and screw up the substrate. About a month later you
can use a pressure washer to really clean it up.

Yep, some people go to power wash their driveway and sidewalk, and after a
few times they blast the fines right out of the top layer of their cement.
It would probably look better if the aggregate was intended to be visible.

Jon