Remove Formwork

What happens in this clip

After the concrete has adequately cured (typically after a day or two when it's hard enough), carefully remove the formwork boards. Use a crowbar, pickaxe, or hammer to gently pry the stakes and boards away from the concrete edge. Be careful not to damage the fresh concrete edges during removal.

Goal: Dismantle and remove the timber formwork from the cured concrete path

What's used

Tools

• Crowbar
• Claw hammer

About the full video

This project guides you through creating a durable and aesthetically pleasing concrete path in your backyard. It covers the entire process from initial excavation and setting up the formwork, including techniques for curved sections, to pouring, leveling, finishing, and sealing the concrete. The goal is to transform an unkempt dirt path into a well-designed, functional walkway.

Step 10 of 10: Remove Formwork

Once the concrete has cured sufficiently (typically after 24-48 hours, but check local conditions and concrete type), carefully pry off the 2x6 lumber forms. Use a pry bar to gently loosen the forms from the concrete. Be careful not to chip or damage the edges of the concrete pad.

Open this step in the guide

Every video in How to Pour a Concrete Landing Pad for Deck Stairs

1. Step 1: Excavate Area

   • 13:17–15:33 Prepare Stair Base and Pour Concrete Pad
   • 0:04–0:15 Site Preparation and Trench Digging
   • 4:20–8:36 Prepare & Pour Concrete Pad

2. Step 2: Install Formwork

   • 2:04–2:33 Build and Position Concrete Form
   • 0:33–0:47 Formwork Installation
   • 0:00–0:34 Lay Out and Assemble Initial Form Boards

3. Step 3: Add and Compact Gravel Base

   • 2:21–2:33 Add & Compact Basecourse
   • 3:15–4:05 Lay and Compact Gravel Base
   • 0:20–0:38 Prepare Gravel Base

4. Step 4: Place Rebar or Wire Mesh

   • 2:45–3:06 Add Steel Reinforcement (Rebar)
   • 1:30–1:40 Add Wire Mesh Reinforcement
   • 5:41–6:46 Rebar Placement for Reinforcement

5. Step 5: Mix and Pour Concrete

   • 0:30–0:42 Pour and Level Concrete
   • 3:10–3:41 Pour and Screed Concrete
   • 1:58–2:31 Mix and Pour Concrete

6. Step 6: Screed the Concrete

   • 0:04–0:13 Screed the Concrete
   • 0:24–1:01 Screed the Concrete Surface
   • 0:17–0:45 Screed the Concrete Surface

7. Step 7: Float the Concrete

   • 0:16–0:25 Float the Concrete Surface
   • 0:44–0:46 Hand Float Concrete Surface
   • 1:15–1:29 Float Concrete

8. Step 8: Finish the Concrete

   • 0:07–0:11 Trowel for Smooth Concrete Finish
   • 10:04–11:22 Final Troweling and Finishing
   • 3:30–4:49 Concrete Floating and Troweling

9. Step 9: Cure the Concrete

   • 2:08–2:39 Cure Concrete
   • 0:57–0:59 Cure Concrete and Remove Forms
   • 5:50–6:12 Cure the Concrete

10. Step 10: Remove Formwork

    • 8:43–10:04 Remove Form and Backfill
    • 4:03–4:08 Remove Formwork (this video)
    • 0:52–0:54 Remove Formwork