A couple months ago I had a driveway slab poured. The guys did an amazing job. They told me to let it dry for a day before driving on it, and 4 days before parking on it. So I waited 7 days just to be sure. I didn't want something like this. So glad I waited.
Similar here, I didn't wait that long, but I was damn sure, even in a very dry climate. The crew that did my demolition and new pour worked their asses off for two days and really took pride in their workmanship.
@@pxrays547 A dry climate (low humidity) climate doesn't help concrete to CURE faster. Curing isn't a drying process. Actually, a damp concrete surface, from sprinkling or a tarp cover, results in a better concrete curing.
The fact that the homeowner wasn’t too embarrassed to share what he’d done, AND that the professional was eager to learn from it is a pretty amazing thing to see. Kudos
I miss working with my dad. He had a concrete business and I would do exactly what your son is doing which is great to see. My dad was taken early from me by a drunk driver, so to see you and your son together it is awesome to see.
@@priestesslucy wow sorry this is so close to my heart very similar situation my old man was my best mate and hero worked on engines with him for years and alcohol took him I’m going the same way myself.
I feel your pain 42air23. My dad and I loved working around the house doing upgrades and additions, but unfortunately i lost him in 2013 to brain cancer. I always imagined him and I having BBQ's at the old house, even to this day. Life is truly short.
I clicked this video thinking I was going to see a car flying through fresh concrete. I ended up watching the whole thing because your video was really well done and I found the information fascinating. I always appreciate learning about these kinds of things, even when I wasn’t looking for this information. Thanks for making great videos and sharing your stories. 👍🏻
@@OdellCompleteConcrete Yeah, but the click-bait thumbnail in huge red letters with an arrow pointing to the driveway and saying "RUINED!" was pretty crappy.
Much respect. Concrete is HARD work. Im a retired electrician and Ive done enough concrete to know that it should be left to professionals. Someone that takes the time to post his work like this is indeed a true professional.
Posted because the job was done correctly. OCC got nothing to hide👍 I'm curious to know..... Man power vs Time More men= more Cost Less men= more Time How much do you pay the man in the Blue shirt with Gray hair?? Is he in Pain?? Hands on Hips🤣😂
Same here Jack! And I was crazy enough to go into "general" contracting too! After a few concrete jobs, I passed it over to my subs!!! I always told peeps I was working for "you don't want a sparky doing your concrete work ;)
@@ShadowRyuyes, ... but 2 things about concrete: • it will crack... • nobody will steal it... Having bad fill... Shifting foundations... Bad weather... Anything 'COULD' happen but it better with a good contractor
“ Uh, Bob, what are all these foot prints in the concrete? .” Why am I watching this at 1:00 am? What is wrong with my life? LOL. Uh, our man Bob is not afraid of a drink ..and why is his house so tiny? 🏡
Yeah. We bought a house and got the driveway repaired but our guy was a jerk who really took advantage. We were young and dumb and didn't know that we were getting ripped off.
I have NO expertise in concrete, but really enjoyed watching this video! The amount of manpower and expertise needed is truly amazing. The way you presented the problem to the homeowner with respect was commendable. He got the message and there were no hard feelings. It is a real pleasure watching a video when the contractor is truly an EXPERT and proud of his talent. This is true no matter what the talent is. Thanks and good luck in your future projects. Electronic Guy in Colorado.
I've been in concrete a long time, and I just want to say you guys did a perfect job. Well done. You have the perfect personality for what it takes to be a successful contractor, which obviously you already are. I'm glad you mentioned about the concrete curing white. I think that made the owner feel better. Thanks for the video.
I'm in New Zealand and I really appreciate the work you guys have done. You obviously take pride in your work. Then comes along the home-owner and Yes! Stuffs it up. We live in an instant world. Great work guys
@@CNCmachiningisfun A Californian here. I lived in wellington in the mid 80's. I was the project manager for Hawkins on the Air New Zealand West Terminal addition back then.
@@doofusmaguilacutee4998 It is a small world, thanks to the interwebs :) . Things in Wellington, and its associated airport, have changed immeasurably, since your time here, in the '80s :) .
I am in tears. Having done work like that as a 14-17 yo, I would just die on the spot to see my work messed up like that. You guys go over and above. Amazing!
@@ianarmstrong9594 The concrete sets in several days, but reaches the full strength potential in around a month. If the best cure conditions met. For the driveway even a tenth of potential strengh of concrete was not needed. That pilot maybe knows a little about concrete, thus he does not care.
@@vasiliynkudryavtsev Agreed as a builder myself I have seen many times where people have had concrete poured, then warned to stay off it till it has set hard enough and ignored advice and walked or drove on it, I would have been angry with this halfsoaked pilot
We had created a base plate and the next day we saw a lot of cat paws in the concrete. This is happening all the time if I work with concrete here in the village, because cats are very curious.
This brings back fond memories. 50+ years ago, I grew up in Detroit doing concrete and brick work with my father and brothers. I wish I had stayed in the business. Creating things with your hands is always rewarding. Plus, I wouldn't have the gut I now have from sitting at a desk!
I’m amazed at the amount of detail and craftsmanship that went into this! It’s far more than I would have ever imagined. Had no intention of watching the whole video, but it was surprisingly interesting.
I think we all knew from Day 1 who Bob was - there he is, in the middle of what you're doing, just getting some other chores done. It came as no surprise that he couldn't keep off the concrete when you had gone home. You guys take such pride in your workmanship. Sure, Bob was light-hearted about it, but it still hurts you guys that a job you've taken such care over is ruined by Bob Fidget!
Notice Bob the nuisance always has a drink in his hand. It takes me 30 minutes to verify who the actual property owner is and how many court legal actions they have been in .
I understand a homeowner wanting to see his project done right. These guys do their job professionally, and that's why they are licensed. But PLEASE, STAY OUTTA DA' WAY when they're trying to do their job!! Your turn to mingle around the job is when they take a break or lunch! Don't think I would want a "Bob" job.
I love how construction always has a corresponding material or technique to something in the kitchen. LOVE watching concrete work because it’s like frosting a cake. Warm asphalt when you pour a new driveway acts like brown sugar the way it slowly crumbles when it’s moved. Cool!
Thank you Dave and your amazing crew for explaining simply and demonstrating the entire process (from start to finish) of removing, pouring and finishing a cement driveway. Please continue to do more of these videos.
I'm not a concrete guy, but you and your crew clearly are. Such professional work, wow! So for Me and for my customers I typically throw a couple 2" or 3" sch 40 pvc "chases" deep under driveways and sidewalks before they pour. One is for electrical conduits and low-voltage cables, the other is for water pipes, irrigation etc. You may never use them but they'll be there if you need 'em.
I always appreciate the preparation and what I like to call the "infrastructure", when it's done correctly. It drives my wife crazy because, from the first excavation to actually pouring concrete takes "forever," in her words. I remind her always, that the shows she watches in the weekend conveniently leave out the preparation and the amount of planning and labor involved. She doesn't expect a 30-minute turnaround, but she doesn't like waiting a week just to be ready for the concrete trucks to come rolling in. 😅😂
Funny it's your wife because it's my husband for me. I'm always, "we can't do that yet because we haven't done this first." It's true, opposites attract. 😉
@@michaelarmenta8289 It wasn’t even the walking. He used a water hose o it. Concrete takes weeks to be fully cure so that a normal water hose wont damage it. Even after years a high pressure water sprayer can do major damage. He should have gotten a list of does and do nots or at least looked it up online.
@@pauldavis9387 I've poured my own and, yeah, it can be tempting to walk on it. The neighbor had a drive poured, drove his truck thru the tape barrier a couple days later, then tried to blame it on someone else. His tires matched the damage, concrete in the tread. He wanted a free do-over and tried to refuse paying the balance; probably why contractors want costs paid up front, balance on completion.
Kudos on doing a great job. I was a construction inspector (and previously a field and lab testing technician) and I've probably watched 100K cubic yards of concrete go into slabs...everything from 4" residential work to 18" slabs for parking aprons at a larger airport. It's nice seeing a conscientious contractor who cares about leaving a good product and makes sure things get done correctly.
@@catfisher420 Or that, sure. I'm just saying that the window A/C should be more or less level, and there should be some insulating foam at the top and bottom of the inner sash. He's got a ton of heat coming in through there.
Believe it or not some don’t drain. Some window units will utilize the excess condensation to fling up from the condenser fan, throwing it onto the condenser. This will evaporate the water as it cools the condenser, lowering the discharge pressure and lowering the discharge air temp.
@@OdellCompleteConcrete I bet it is, I’d be more worried about him getting hurt watching, and then suing for being in the way. Leave the watching for UA-cam!
You have to understand from the homeowners perspective. They love their property. They’re paying an ABSURD amount of money for this concrete company to redo their driveway. They have every right to sit and bird dog as much as they want. As an electrician, who does a bit of side work as well, I could care less if the customer wants to watch me. Bird dog me, please, then you’ll see how well I do my job, how and what craftsmanship looks like, and the medium price you paid for my OCD work, being worth every penny you paid. Guys hate bird dogs and make mistakes when being eyeballed. I got used to it before the trades, while I was in the Navy, so it doesn’t bother me. I have confidence in my excellent quality of craftsmanship, that’s done up to code and followed to a ‘T.’ You’re getting what you paid for, plus some.
I mean, who doesn't know not to do anything like that with a freshly poured slab? I guess I take that sort of basic knowledge for granted. Good quality workmanship for sure though.
@@crazymanwithastick .. Proves the ole book smart adage. They don't let just anyone fly, much less trail a banner over populated areas. I'm sure Bob could simultaneously impress and put us all to sleep with extensive aviation knowledge. But yeah, don't put your lips on a hot muffler...
I think it has to do with the pilot in him. Aviation has a culture of admitting and owning your mistakes. It's the only way you can get better and stay safe..
I never would have believed that a video about laying down a concrete driveway could be so fascinating. You guys are true artists. Just one question, why do you brush and re-brush the concrete so much? A lot of times, the driveway looked done then someone would come along with a trowel or broom and do it again.
The broom adds texture, most of the time you dont want slick concrete. So you smooth it and smooth it and smooth it, then split it to control the stress by cracking where you want it to instead of where you dont, then smooth it, then edge it, then do it again when you mess up a little, then after all that you broom it when its the right level of cured and it textures it and then trim smooth the edges
It’s more of a pain in the ass, good drivers are rare to come across and the same thing goes for reliable workers also as calm as he was about the homeowner he was probably irritated with him a lot more than what he let off
@@nationalnewschannel8241 the homeowner was a complete dick. For starters he was standing there for pretty much the entire job. Then when he walked on it and sprayed it with the hose. I mean don't you have to have some level of brightness to be a pilot. Obviously not.
Last time I did a big pour, it was for a slab for my 30"x40' garage @6" deep. That cost me a little over $2300 back in the mid 90's. It was 5000 psi with fiber. Now I'm not sure the going rate of concrete nowadays, but it looks like he got the better end of the deal. Your work has a beyond Excellent. I would've been pissed if it were me when he walked on it!! Talk about LACK OF COMMON SENSE! Anyway no more freebies for him.
Reminds me of laying tile and asking clients not to walk on it till it's set. Come back the next day and have to rip up tiles where the client walked and reset my work. How many times this situation has arisen in 25 years is far too many to count! Nice job guys!
Wow, I had no idea how much work went into perfecting the surface after the concrete is poured. I really enjoyed the whole process along with the narration. I am curious to know what it looks like fully dry and whether the marks remained at all. Keep up the great work, much love from Canada!
Haha all that faffing around isnt needed .. steel on way to soon while it's still to wet . Makes me wonder is this how they do it in 3rd world?? All need bit more cement .. once it's gone off enough put powerfloat on it . Steeling over and over on wet concrete just seals in water leading to crazy cracking .. the steel reinforcement sitting in the dirt doing nothing it needs to be lifted on chairs. . this looks like how cowboys used to do it back in the 80's out here .. sure it's great when u need break it up and remove it cos it ain't adding any strength.
@@GT-43 the concrete was already "dry" these were very superficial marks that likely were more just seeing wet concrete move off dry concrete. If you meant the pressure washing, I assure you, wet, cured, concrete shows a lot more details than dry concrete.
I don’t know why UA-cam recommended this video, but I watched every last minute. 🤣 You and your team are artists in concrete. Thanks for sharing this job with us!
Not a video but at least a handout. I've had a lot of concrete work done and no one actually gave me a brochure handout about aftercare. That would actually be a good business idea
7:50 speaking of pink bar... thank you ! Did not know such a thing existed. These bridge and building failures should have used that cuz if they crack it's one thing but to have the reinforcement rust through that is a way bigger problem and once they are exposed to air and water, it's all over for steel ! Thanks for this video. All explained perfectly and not a second wasted of time showing the procedure. Narrating it is really perfect here !!!!
Fascinating. I could not believe how many times you went over the surface after the initial pour. I'd always assumed it was pour, smooth out the surface one time, and let it dry
Nah, concrete takes time. You have to make sure that it's set and done to cure properly. I appreciate that he took the extra step to make sure no concrete touches wood. It'll become a nightmare later.
That was my first thought too. looked really wet and they worked a lot of cream to the top. In the North, this would be overworked and be a problem because all your air entrainer would be gone and itll bust and spall on the first winter. However, it looks like a southern climate so probably not an issue
I thought the same pour the concert smooth it off then leave it the feck alone . Once it firm then go over it once that its smooth then leave it alone . .all the time these guys was going over it again an again an again every time you go over it you bring the water to the surface with the cement then you rub it off so it drips over the kurb boards (as you can see they needed a hammer to knock the concert off the kurb boards to remove then) which you weeken the top of the concert by over working it you see this when ppl jet wash there drives and left with lots of sand an crap at the end of the wash that sand it where they have over worked the concrete on lay down and now crumbling apart .. Pour it work it smooth twice then leave it ..
As someone who did two 12x24' pours for my garage, I can personally attest that timelapsing the pour and screeding process makes it look easy. It is absolutely backbreaking work to level that initial pour with a 2x4. Out here in the desert, you have to do it ridiculously fast, as well.
Pour in cool weather. I did a 2 yard pour for a patio in June in Sacramento, and I had to literally run with the wheelbarrow since the concrete was setting up so fast! Never forget that.
@@scottslotterbeck3796 Yep, we poured in late fall, coming up on winter here. It was about 60 degrees with warm sun, pretty much perfect. We were running. It's absolutely the most physically demanding part of any build. It hurts to see it get ruined like in this video.
I am puzzled. I can understand how the homeowner might have thought it was okay to walk on his newly poured drive but when he took a step or two and saw that he was leaving footprints, WHY would he continue walking the entire length of the drive? I'm glad this damage will sort itself out because if Odell had to redo any of this, I do NOT think the homeowner would have been very excited about paying to repair the damage, even though he is the one who caused that damage. It is extremely good news that the drive will still be okay.
@@OdellCompleteConcrete pilots like to drink my man. Haha I can more than picture this guy on his lawn walking around with a drink in one hand, a hose in the other, spraying w.e on the ground, and his dog bros just following him around doing dog stuff. Lol
Exactly what I was wondering. He made footprints, tried to scuff them out and made an even bigger mess, then continued to walk all over while dragging a hose and even spraying water on it. I mean what the heck was he thinking?
I have a kitchen fitting business and you would be amazed how many customers walk on freshly laid tiles having been told to steer clear until I arrive the next day. The same as when I make a nice job of the silicone work and a customer wipes the surface damaging the fresh sealant even though I have left the place spotless. Sometimes you just couldn’t make up the stuff that happens. It can certainly try your patience when you have pride in your work.
@@tracer1127 ~ I bet it does. I had my driveway paved (asphalt) - huge job, big driveway - and I made sure to talk to the foreman on site once they were done to reiterate exactly how long I should wait to park on it, let alone walk on it. I even waited longer than he stated, just to be safe. As a homeowner, when you are spending good money to improve your home and property, it’s so important to ask the pertinent questions to the contractor to ensure you don’t ruin or compromise the work that has been done.
That's funny. When I saw the guy always standing around, I was like oh great one of THOSE customers. But, when he talked to him in the end, the guy was super chill. I never mind people like that watching (helping) me work.
The main point is when you have fresh blade concrete do not walk on it or anything until it cures 24 hours 48 hours you're good but if you're up north in the snow area then you got to look at don't put any ice melt out people
Lesson learned for the contractor too "i hope". Never, ever let the customer do anything as a follow up to the concrete pouring. Contractor should always put in a few extra hours in the bid/estimate to cover anything required on the 1-2 days following the concrete pour. My dad was in the concrete business for over 40yrs. There was always the potential for screw ups caused by customer, neighbor, kid on bike or skateboard, delivery person parking or walking on the new concrete, vandalism, etc following the initial concrete pouring and customers sometimes try to blame the contractor for those problems (even in cases where the contractor had set up very obvious barricades to help prevent any damages). Therefore, it is always best for contractor, "immediately after the concrete pour", to provide written instruction/release statement to customer that they are "NOT" to do anything near or over the freshly poured concrete whatsoever that may result in any unwanted damage or problems" with the new concrete poured. In addition, customer must sign and date that written release. This protects the contractor in the event something goes wrong following the new concrete installation (re. I have seen alot in my 60 yr life. Contractors are often blamed when things go wrong. Gotta play it safe "especially in these crazy times we live in". Fyi only!!!
We’re in Pennsylvania, so it’s strange seeing new concrete be placed directly on compacted soil. Compacted aggregate is a necessity in the Pittsburgh area due to high clay contents in the soil. Great work!
Iowa/Minnesota here. ALWAYS put sand over the sub grade. Freeze/thaw, not clay or expansive soil. Got neither in SoCal. Yup, they pour straight over dirt. Kinda freaky at first. You get used to it. We never used a plate compactor in the midwest. Of course, we never used anything that cost more money there either. Not even a pump for an uphill pour.
I was thinking the same thing .. if offers natural drainage percolation of rain water too ... if everyone had that storm sewers capacity could be much lower!!
@@MikeBaxterABC it may be the angle of the vid, but it looks like a subtle grade slope to the garage...had a new neighbor that redid their concrete drive in front of the garage. we live in colo and till the first flash rain, it was all good. first spring rain, they had water IN the garage...
Not sure how this video came up in my feed, but I watched it all - I was amazed by the process and how professional you guys are, considering it was a contra-deal, no corners were cut, I hope the banner worked out for you because this home owner definitely got a good deal. If I win the lottery, I'm gonna fly you guys to Canada to lay my driveway. 👌👌
Looks like the obsessive/compulsive type who can't resist staying put during the construction. Actually to a point he buggers up his new concrete. WOW.
Bugging you and being in the way stops dodgy contractors cutting corners and making off with the cash asap. It a big problem..but lots of contractors can’t be trusted.but these days it can be monitored on surveillance cameras no need to hound contractors..so you can sit in your armchair watch the screen and look out for deviation from the checklist.,then when the contractor deviates you can jump out of the house and say hey buddy! What’s goin on?
i have done concrete work for about 7 years. you guys were definitely professional and very experienced with a good crew. hard to find a good crew. wish i had one.
Nice pour, the only thing I'd do different would be near the gas line. I'd have put some kind of soft expansion joint, like rubber, about a half inch thick. Just in case the drive way slab moves towards the gas line, it'll have some give and won't pressure against the slab. I've done massive metal buildings, where the upright beams are anchored to 4 ft. diameter sonnet tubes. Before the slab gets poured, I'd go around and wrap the sonnet tubes with 1/2 torch down roofing. Just something to prevent the slab from shifting the sonnet tubes. We're talking like 120+ truck slabs. The whole next day we'd have 3 walk behind diamond saws cutting joints. Like 8 acre buildings. Good lock!
@@Semprefi Same thing, that's what they're called where I live. You'd get laughed off a job around these parts with your pronunciation. Which leads to the more important character defect you've decided to make known to everyone. What kind of person reads comments to nitpick a trivial and meaningless issue? No woman, no cry mon! Why nitpick such a trivial detail? Is it to demonstrate your mastery of all things concrete, or are you a closeted member of the grammar and spelling police. But, you could've googled that new word, and you could've saved both of us time, and one of us embarassment. That's how we'd flame a lamer like you in the beginning.
You and Tyler did a fantastic concrete job on my garage and driveway! Can’t wait for you guys to do the 16’x35’ patio slab in the backyard! Thanks again!
I’m so glad you made this video, I commented a few videos back because we had our backyard done and we did exactly the same thing. Footprints and wet it down. I freaked out a little and you suggested doing nothing and just wait. Couple weeks later it’s drying and turning light gray. It looks great. Thanks!
I feel for you. As a General Contractor, just watching the time-lapse and noticing how much the owner appeared to be "getting in the way" reinforces why I try to stay away from residential remodels and stick to commercial work. Major "props" to you for your patience in dealing with this guy. When you questioned him at the end and he replied that"he didn't know to stay off the concrete", I thought things were going to get bad for you, but it looks like it worked out or you.
@@OdellCompleteConcrete David Odell, I think you have over a 75% chance of having an acute heart attack or stroke. This is not spam and I am not joking. Please research Diagonal Earlobe Crease or (Frank's Sign): A Predictor of Cerebral Vascular Events
@@birddog0 If someone has deep diagonal creases in their earlobes, the risk of an immediate fatal heart attack is greatly increased. I recommend anyone who has this condition consult with their physician.
@@robras8805 This homeowner is total idiot. Not the sharpest tool in the shed. I bet this guy would paint something ,and immediately lick the paint to make sure it's wet.
I'm not a mason or a professional construction anything. The only thing I have ever done is watch TV and cartoons that at one point probably included tiny segments involving wet cement and how it works. No one ever told me to make sure I didn't walk on wet concrete and I would have thought everyone would know that.
I love what you did with all the falls making it all work! Takes good knowledge and somebody who takes pride to do the little things to make the job perfect! Great work 👌 I’m a Concreter from Australia and I really enjoy watching your videos and how different you guys do it compared to us. Keep it up 👍
Watching Bob out there doing his thing in the same space and time when y’all were trying to do your thing…it doesn’t surprise me that he thought walking and dragging a hose across and curing driveway was perfectly fine. I guess you’ll have to type up instructions for “after care” and have your clients sign it to cover yourself from people that act without thinking.
Walking on it was crazy, but as a homeowner I do tend to hover when anyone is working on my property. I’m the one constant, so if a contractor from one trade has a question about work someone else did, I’m the one who will always be there to answer. We have non standard work that was done all over the property I live on by the previous owner and as I discover things I know what to tell the next people who come out to work. I don’t interfere, but I certainly watch most of what’s being done when anyone is doing work on my property.
I stay out of people's way but watch them like a hawk on my property. You'd be surprised how many corners you can catch some people cutting when they work. Not everyone, but most that I've seen or hired I had to hold them accountable to make sure it was done as originally discussed, or make decisions when cans of worms get opened. People how hide from contractors often end up with the most botched jobs, trust me, I've learned that the hard way many times lol.
This is professionalism at its finest. Great job start to finish! Its too bad the owner touched the concrete too early he was probably excited about the fresh concrete and it is important to leave it untouched... if a heavy rain is predicted the company could bring out some wet curing blanket to cover the driveway and prevent the rain from causing divots. Otherwise a light rain will not affect the fresh concrete too much. Some people want to DIY these kind of projects but what we see from this video is "It is better to leave it to the professionals".
That was really cool to watch, and hear the details of pouring a concrete driveway. I've seen it done, but never paid attention or asked questions. Not so naive anymore, lol, great job!
When I was younger and contracting I tended to think it was the female that usually interfered. But the most classic case the wife was a breadwinner accountant and the husbard was at home all day....and bored......and curious. You can imagine how that went.
Wow, you're a pro! Even as a serious DIY'er I would have never known and considered all those details you implemented.
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David, just a great explanation to the very fast time lapse. The video sped up with your narration makes it for a very interesting post! Keep them comin'. ¡Gracias señor!
Didn’t matter much though did it? Nothing worse than putting your hard work into something and then have someone come behind you to destroy it and then not give a damn. I hope the owner is embarrassed Of his ignorance
A few years ago I laid a driveway for an elderly couple opposite an extension I was building for another client. I didn't really charge them for the labour because I managed to fit it in while the scaffolders were at the other job. The concrete was poured and tamped then I floated it and though I say so myself it looked bloody good. That was Friday afternoon so imagine my reaction when as I pulled up across the road on Monday morning the old fella greeted me with the phrase "not impressed mate, in fact a blind donkey could've done better"! So I went straight round there to survey the horror myself and I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was covered in footprints and it had deep weird marks all over it. Now, despite what the old duffer was saying I knew that there was no way I had left it like that so I said that I'd have to think about how it could be rectified and I'd pop round later in the day. When I walked round the back of the house opposite where I was building the extension I found the owner grinning like a Cheshire cat, "problems", he'd been watching the drama unfold across the street and he then told me that after I left on Friday he stood in his living room watching the stupid old git across the road grab a stiff broom and proceed to spend the next 3 hours scrubbing at it whilst his missus ran back and forth with buckets of water and mugs of tea. Furnished with this information i marched back across the road to confront said old git only to be told that I had obviously paid off his neighbour to lie for me and he was going to trading standards! At this point I told him to do whatever he wanted because as far as I was concerned he was a clown and now he had threatened me I wasn't going to have anything more to do with him. Over the next 2 years I built 3 more extensions on that little street so no one else took him seriously and about 5 years ago that bungalow was on rightmove so the next time I was close by I decided to take a look at the drive and it was still the same lol. So I guess the moral is "don't lay driveways for lying old gits"!
So, you already poured perfect concrete for the old couple, they stepped all over it, and then they told you how bad of a job you did?? Did they not remember how good their driveway looked before they screwed with it??
@@wearytrader535 when I was younger I stupidly believed that old people were all as honest as the day is long, having dealt with a lot of silver tops over the years. I've now come to the conclusion that some people are just arseholes no matter how old they are!
Great video and commentary. I love your meticulous approach and detailed explanations. Really outstanding. Also, great how respectful you were to the home owner after mistakes had happened. Cause after all, it is his driveway and he can do with it as he pleases. One question: I see a lot of troweling after the pour. You appear to go over the entire concrete at least 5 times with hand trowels. How many times do you typically hand trowel the same area? And what were to happen if you would only pour, float, then hand trowel once, and call it a day? Have never poured a driveway, just done minor concrete work, and curious. Keep up the great work and all the best.
Sometimes you can’t give the owners enough info. No matter what you do or say, they will try to put their “touch” on the project! The owner is just lucky that what he did was superficial.
VERY nice job on the pour. Top shelf stuff right there. But, any homeowner that would have a new driveway poured and leave a 2 foot strip of grass to mow, well, they're not too bright. So, I am not surprised what the homeowner did with the fresh pour.
Thats an amazing job. I can't believe the owner wasn't told not to walk on it or drag things on it or water it. The amount of professional care you guys put into this was wonderful to see, he obviously didn't appreciate your skill and effort. It was actually painful to see him walking all over it with his dogs many times long before you finished it. Not surprise he ruined it.
I was shocked at the amount of time hand finishing. I assume you guys in the USA like to see a super smooth driveway. Here in the uk unless it's an internal floor it gets tapped down to finish and A Single trowel width rub round the oouter edge. gives a great look and good grip even in icy conditions.Much quicker than all the manual manipulation that you do there.
Very nice work 👏👏✌️ driveway looks awesome! I was kinda surprised that the homeowner was tap dancing on the new driveway so fast ! Thank goodness it all worked out ✌️😂
It is so nice to hear someone who is so knowledgeable about his profession, AND so willing to share that knowledge with others. It is obvious he loves his job!! I am 65yrs old, and I was basically mesmerized through the entire video. I doubt I will ever to apply what I learned, but that’s okay, because the joy is in the learning!
It makes me so sad seeing the fine quality of work you guys do, knowing that no matter what we've needed done here, short cuts were taken (with all projects) and not a darn was given for the project that we had to spend so much money for. (It's just that way where I live).
I worked for my family's concrete business for 42 yrs from 1973 - 2016. We did mostly new residential tracts and some small commercial. One morning in the 80's we poured the complete outside of a new home. I stopped there on my way home to strip it and there was a car on the driveway. It was the owner of the home. Boy was I mad, but by some miracle it didn't harm it at all I guess because it had been down long enough. I really miss it.
Before the homeowner ruined the driveway I was so frustrated at the way he helicoptered around the whole job process like watching everything your guys were doing ( sign of a know all )he was constantly in the way and inevitably ruined your normally great professional finish . Then when you had the video reveal of the footprints and water hose drag marks and said , what happened here ?, he says I walked on it but didn’t know I couldn’t , 100% my head blew
Great work, thank you for filming all. Not an easy task. Am I the only one that noticed that your fine slab work is valued GREATER than the dude's house? Looks like mini-house bought from a catalogue.
Presumably that roller-door to the left of the garage at the rear of the house just opens onto the covered patio, which means the area of patio plus garage must be close to the size of just the house by itself. Obviously the guy is single!
A couple months ago I had a driveway slab poured. The guys did an amazing job.
They told me to let it dry for a day before driving on it, and 4 days before parking on it. So I waited 7 days just to be sure. I didn't want something like this.
So glad I waited.
Great idea. Longer the better
Similar here, I didn't wait that long, but I was damn sure, even in a very dry climate. The crew that did my demolition and new pour worked their asses off for two days and really took pride in their workmanship.
7 day cure, you where smarter than your contractors!
Good choice, minimum 3 days we say but recommend 7, total cure time on concrete can go out to 50 days
@@pxrays547 A dry climate (low humidity) climate doesn't help concrete to CURE faster. Curing isn't a drying process. Actually, a damp concrete surface, from sprinkling or a tarp cover, results in a better concrete curing.
The fact that the homeowner wasn’t too embarrassed to share what he’d done, AND that the professional was eager to learn from it is a pretty amazing thing to see. Kudos
I concur
Communication, humility and a sense of humor
The truth is always the way to go.
Owning up and understanding! So rare anymore 🥰
Accountability is a virtue
I miss working with my dad. He had a concrete business and I would do exactly what your son is doing which is great to see. My dad was taken early from me by a drunk driver, so to see you and your son together it is awesome to see.
💔
Miss my dad too. We used to work together on his pressure washing business a long time ago.
Then eventually his own alcoholism got him killed
@@priestesslucy wow sorry this is so close to my heart very similar situation my old man was my best mate and hero worked on engines with him for years and alcohol took him I’m going the same way myself.
I feel your pain 42air23. My dad and I loved working around the house doing upgrades and additions, but unfortunately i lost him in 2013 to brain cancer. I always imagined him and I having BBQ's at the old house, even to this day. Life is truly short.
Im praying for you. Sorry for your loss
I clicked this video thinking I was going to see a car flying through fresh concrete. I ended up watching the whole thing because your video was really well done and I found the information fascinating. I always appreciate learning about these kinds of things, even when I wasn’t looking for this information. Thanks for making great videos and sharing your stories. 👍🏻
YW
TY
@@OdellCompleteConcrete Yeah, but the click-bait thumbnail in huge red letters with an arrow pointing to the driveway and saying "RUINED!" was pretty crappy.
@@paulmilnes6553That's the youtube game unfortunately
That’s so disrespectful the owner constantly watching.
At least the owner laughed about it.
Wow, a contractor that is actually concerned about how things hold up in "the future" (drain pipe on solid ground). Thanks for being so good.
Thanks
Most guys take pride jn their work. But some are reAl jerks. I've known a few who I would never let do work for me.
This vid was so relaxing to watch, I mean getting the thing done, it taking shape and all.
Stress relief. : ))
(to a point)
Yup I just subbed just to watch concrete dry. : ))
More good success to you guys.
and then he puts rebar directly onto the floor..
amd then he doesnt put in rebar at the top.
this isnt a job to hold very long
Much respect. Concrete is HARD work. Im a retired electrician and Ive done enough concrete to know that it should be left to professionals. Someone that takes the time to post his work like this is indeed a true professional.
Thanks
Posted because the job was done correctly.
OCC got nothing to hide👍
I'm curious to know.....
Man power vs Time
More men= more Cost
Less men= more Time
How much do you pay the man in the Blue shirt with Gray hair??
Is he in Pain?? Hands on Hips🤣😂
Same here Jack! And I was crazy enough to go into "general" contracting too! After a few concrete jobs, I passed it over to my subs!!! I always told peeps I was working for "you don't want a sparky doing your concrete work ;)
This guy is worth every PENNY!!!
I've got 30 yrs in construction and this is one of the most thorough concrete guys I've seen in A LONG TIME!!!
Sounds like you know what you're talking about,
TY
Spot on. Bob, the homeowner has been we'll looked after here! 🦘
Until it sags along the house and water gets under it and into the foundation
@@ShadowRyuyes, ... but
2 things about concrete:
• it will crack...
• nobody will steal it...
Having bad fill... Shifting foundations... Bad weather... Anything 'COULD' happen but it better with a good contractor
My husband use to put plastic burial pipe never a problem steel so no cracks seems❤️🕊️✨
“ Uh, Bob, what are all these foot prints in the concrete? .”
Why am I watching this at 1:00 am? What is wrong with my life? LOL.
Uh, our man Bob is not afraid of a drink ..and why is his house so tiny? 🏡
That's what I wondered why is he spending all of this money on this beautiful concrete work that belongs to a crap house? WEIRD
I'm a special inspector for commercial structures and I really appreciate your diligence to do it right for residential. Wish there more like you.
Me too
TY
Yeah. We bought a house and got the driveway repaired but our guy was a jerk who really took advantage. We were young and dumb and didn't know that we were getting ripped off.
you dont care to see gravel bases?
All of us concrete guys want to do a great job but then you have people like this homeowner come behind you and destroy your work.
Don’t know much about this but it looks like the driveway is worth more than the house ! Good job
we are in Southern CA. this house is right around a million
@@OdellCompleteConcrete HA! A million?!
Not in Southern California. That house in that condition is probably worth more than $800k
@@OdellCompleteConcrete - a million! That's a tiny box! Jeez!
@@OdellCompleteConcrete My parents live in a house just like that... its worth ~90k in my area lol
I have NO expertise in concrete, but really enjoyed watching this video! The amount of manpower and expertise needed is truly amazing. The way you presented the problem to the homeowner with respect was commendable. He got the message and there were no hard feelings. It is a real pleasure watching a video when the contractor is truly an EXPERT and proud of his talent. This is true no matter what the talent is. Thanks and good luck in your future projects. Electronic Guy in Colorado.
I concur
TY
Lots of manpower,when we do same kinda work,we have only 2 workers that do that.i live in Finland.nice videos tho
@@OdellCompleteConcrete Is it possible to overlay cement or concrete over a crumbling asphalt driveway?
2 guys can do this pour. He really only needs the extra for demo an hauling. Done bugger than this with 2 dudes.
@@redbaron474 No you cannot the Crete will crack an be nasty in very little time.
I've been in concrete a long time, and I just want to say you guys did a perfect job. Well done. You have the perfect personality for what it takes to be a successful contractor, which obviously you already are. I'm glad you mentioned about the concrete curing white. I think that made the owner feel better. Thanks for the video.
Wow, thank you!
In the UK you would be responsible to inform the home owner .
Expecting common folks to do anything correctly is absurd wishful thinking. Complaining is a given.
@@tonywoodford9164stupid rule for stupid people in an azz backward country.
Great job! Props to Bob for going on camera and owning his mistake! Good teaching moment for homeowners.
We agree!
Yeah huge huge respect for that and not hiding away. Bless his heart, as my mom use to say.
I've heard that a few times
he's a know it all you can tell by his hovering but not today
If it were me, I would of blamed the dogs.
I'm in New Zealand and I really appreciate the work you guys have done. You obviously take pride in your work. Then comes along the home-owner and Yes! Stuffs it up. We live in an instant world. Great work guys
Fellow Kiwi here. Same thoughts as yours :).
Another Kiwi 🇳🇿👍
Ki Ora guys
@@CNCmachiningisfun A Californian here. I lived in wellington in the mid 80's. I was the project manager for Hawkins on the Air New Zealand West Terminal addition back then.
@@doofusmaguilacutee4998
It is a small world, thanks to the interwebs :) .
Things in Wellington, and its associated airport, have changed immeasurably, since your time here, in the '80s :) .
I am in tears. Having done work like that as a 14-17 yo, I would just die on the spot to see my work messed up like that. You guys go over and above. Amazing!
The pilot must be a halfwit not to know that you should not walk on concrete before it has fully set
@@ianarmstrong9594 The concrete sets in several days, but reaches the full strength potential in around a month.
If the best cure conditions met.
For the driveway even a tenth of potential strengh of concrete was not needed.
That pilot maybe knows a little about concrete, thus he does not care.
@@vasiliynkudryavtsev Agreed as a builder myself I have seen many times where people have had concrete poured, then warned to stay off it till it has set hard enough and ignored advice and walked or drove on it, I would have been angry with this halfsoaked pilot
We had created a base plate and the next day we saw a lot of cat paws in the concrete. This is happening all the time if I work with concrete here in the village, because cats are very curious.
good thing the homeowner knows it doesnt matter
This brings back fond memories. 50+ years ago, I grew up in Detroit doing concrete and brick work with my father and brothers. I wish I had stayed in the business. Creating things with your hands is always rewarding. Plus, I wouldn't have the gut I now have from sitting at a desk!
I’m amazed at the amount of detail and craftsmanship that went into this! It’s far more than I would have ever imagined. Had no intention of watching the whole video, but it was surprisingly interesting.
A lot goes in to these.
TY
Spent about half the video thinking this concrete job probably cost more than the house is appraised at! It was very interesting.
Same
Same
I think we all knew from Day 1 who Bob was - there he is, in the middle of what you're doing, just getting some other chores done. It came as no surprise that he couldn't keep off the concrete when you had gone home. You guys take such pride in your workmanship. Sure, Bob was light-hearted about it, but it still hurts you guys that a job you've taken such care over is ruined by Bob Fidget!
Brendan
Yeah, we call such idiots "Mr. BusyFingers."
Dudes that never got enough of playing with their Toilet Trout when young.
I thought the dogs were going to be the culprits
Notice Bob the nuisance always has a drink in his hand. It takes me 30 minutes to verify who the actual property owner is and how many court legal actions they have been in .
I understand a homeowner wanting to see his project done right. These guys do their job professionally, and that's why they are licensed. But PLEASE, STAY OUTTA DA' WAY when they're trying to do their job!! Your turn to mingle around the job is when they take a break or lunch! Don't think I would want a "Bob" job.
@@slic59shazzamdavis85 they made a movie ".... What About Bob?"
I love how construction always has a corresponding material or technique to something in the kitchen. LOVE watching concrete work because it’s like frosting a cake. Warm asphalt when you pour a new driveway acts like brown sugar the way it slowly crumbles when it’s moved. Cool!
Glad you enjoy it!
TY
Do you think they used warm asphalt?
I was thinking the same as he used the tool to round out the edges...just like smoothing out frosting!
I can guarantee construction workers don't share this sentiment lol
@@almo3250 concrete is easy, thats what sick days are for hehe
Throughout the video the homeowner certainly knows how to get in the way of production, so I’m not surprised.
Good point
Thank you Dave and your amazing crew for explaining simply and demonstrating the entire process (from start to finish) of removing, pouring and finishing a cement driveway. Please continue to do more of these videos.
Amazing work you fellas did. I had no idea how much work went into something like this. Very informative video and great editing too.
TY
I'm not a concrete guy, but you and your crew clearly are. Such professional work, wow! So for Me and for my customers I typically throw a couple 2" or 3" sch 40 pvc "chases" deep under driveways and sidewalks before they pour. One is for electrical conduits and low-voltage cables, the other is for water pipes, irrigation etc. You may never use them but they'll be there if you need 'em.
Good idea.
Ty
Really SMART !!!👍👍👍
You said you aren't a concrete guy so what do you do? You said customer, are you a builder or designer?
@@msp9810probably a gc
17:41. May want to have the concrete driveway be the entire width of the garage?? I have never seen this before. Makes zero sense.
I always appreciate the preparation and what I like to call the "infrastructure", when it's done correctly. It drives my wife crazy because, from the first excavation to actually pouring concrete takes "forever," in her words. I remind her always, that the shows she watches in the weekend conveniently leave out the preparation and the amount of planning and labor involved. She doesn't expect a 30-minute turnaround, but she doesn't like waiting a week just to be ready for the concrete trucks to come rolling in. 😅😂
I hear that
Funny it's your wife because it's my husband for me. I'm always, "we can't do that yet because we haven't done this first." It's true, opposites attract. 😉
I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to walk on wet concrete. Not sure if I’d want him to fly my plane. 😂
My son flew with him already, and had a blast
Being a pilot and a professional pilot are two very different things.
Yeah, me neither. Not the sharpest tool in the shed.
@@michaelarmenta8289 It wasn’t even the walking. He used a water hose o it. Concrete takes weeks to be fully cure so that a normal water hose wont damage it. Even after years a high pressure water sprayer can do major damage. He should have gotten a list of does and do nots or at least looked it up online.
@@pauldavis9387 I've poured my own and, yeah, it can be tempting to walk on it. The neighbor had a drive poured, drove his truck thru the tape barrier a couple days later, then tried to blame it on someone else. His tires matched the damage, concrete in the tread. He wanted a free do-over and tried to refuse paying the balance; probably why contractors want costs paid up front, balance on completion.
Kudos on doing a great job. I was a construction inspector (and previously a field and lab testing technician) and I've probably watched 100K cubic yards of concrete go into slabs...everything from 4" residential work to 18" slabs for parking aprons at a larger airport. It's nice seeing a conscientious contractor who cares about leaving a good product and makes sure things get done correctly.
Thanks
I put down a lot of concrete in my 30yrs i appreciate everything you guys did 2 days ago i turned 22yrs old and 2nd year experience in concrete
You're getting there.
TY
Bob learned his lesson about fresh concrete. Now, he needs a couple of lessons about window air conditioners.
or mini split lessons.
@@catfisher420 Or that, sure. I'm just saying that the window A/C should be more or less level, and there should be some insulating foam at the top and bottom of the inner sash. He's got a ton of heat coming in through there.
@@craigcorson3036 it has to be tilted at an angle for the condensation to drain out the back of the air conditioner. not level
@@jasong7092 They are designed to drain the condensate properly when level.
Believe it or not some don’t drain. Some window units will utilize the excess condensation to fling up from the condenser fan, throwing it onto the condenser. This will evaporate the water as it cools the condenser, lowering the discharge pressure and lowering the discharge air temp.
Love how the homeowner seems to be in their way constantly, gotta love people that have to ‘watch’ everything
It’s so annoying. Go watch tv and leave them alone old man
Concrete work is fun to watch
@@OdellCompleteConcrete I bet it is, I’d be more worried about him getting hurt watching, and then suing for being in the way. Leave the watching for UA-cam!
I'd like to point out that *we're all watching the concrete pour too.* It's interesting.
You have to understand from the homeowners perspective.
They love their property.
They’re paying an ABSURD amount of money for this concrete company to redo their driveway.
They have every right to sit and bird dog as much as they want.
As an electrician, who does a bit of side work as well, I could care less if the customer wants to watch me. Bird dog me, please, then you’ll see how well I do my job, how and what craftsmanship looks like, and the medium price you paid for my OCD work, being worth every penny you paid.
Guys hate bird dogs and make mistakes when being eyeballed. I got used to it before the trades, while I was in the Navy, so it doesn’t bother me.
I have confidence in my excellent quality of craftsmanship, that’s done up to code and followed to a ‘T.’ You’re getting what you paid for, plus some.
I have done a great deal of concrete work and watch many a crew, but you guys are a class act. Nice job!
Hehehe
Watching is better than working. Eh?
It's beautiful to see crafts and tradesmen who take such pride in doing the work corrrectly. Thanks, Sir.
Bob’s a good man for being honest about what happened to the fresh pour.
True
I mean, who doesn't know not to do anything like that with a freshly poured slab? I guess I take that sort of basic knowledge for granted. Good quality workmanship for sure though.
@@crazymanwithastick .. Proves the ole book smart adage. They don't let just anyone fly, much less trail a banner over populated areas. I'm sure Bob could simultaneously impress and put us all to sleep with extensive aviation knowledge. But yeah, don't put your lips on a hot muffler...
Bob's also a dingleberry
I think it has to do with the pilot in him. Aviation has a culture of admitting and owning your mistakes. It's the only way you can get better and stay safe..
I never would have believed that a video about laying down a concrete driveway could be so fascinating. You guys are true artists. Just one question, why do you brush and re-brush the concrete so much? A lot of times, the driveway looked done then someone would come along with a trowel or broom and do it again.
The broom adds texture, most of the time you dont want slick concrete. So you smooth it and smooth it and smooth it, then split it to control the stress by cracking where you want it to instead of where you dont, then smooth it, then edge it, then do it again when you mess up a little, then after all that you broom it when its the right level of cured and it textures it and then trim smooth the edges
It’s more of a pain in the ass, good drivers are rare to come across and the same thing goes for reliable workers also as calm as he was about the homeowner he was probably irritated with him a lot more than what he let off
If the trowel marks are deep, the broom needs to go over several times.... last time being the full stroke if bushes aren't in the way.
@@nationalnewschannel8241 the homeowner was a complete dick. For starters he was standing there for pretty much the entire job. Then when he walked on it and sprayed it with the hose. I mean don't you have to have some level of brightness to be a pilot. Obviously not.
Hovering is only a problem if your trying to hide something.
I figured he was a helicopter pilot judging by all the hovering he did at the job 😂
Small house for a pilot. Like a shoebox.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@billkeithchannel …
@@billkeithchannel probably has a tonne of money in his airplane... Yes I noticed his tiny 🏠 just like mine. And no I do not have an airplane.
Great effort , you guy should add more experience to your crew
Now that it's a year later I'd like to see a revisit to this driveway. I'd bet there's still plenty of signs of this helpful homeowner. 😁
Probably right
Last time I did a big pour, it was for a slab for my 30"x40' garage @6" deep. That cost me a little over $2300 back in the mid 90's. It was 5000 psi with fiber. Now I'm not sure the going rate of concrete nowadays, but it looks like he got the better end of the deal. Your work has a beyond Excellent. I would've been pissed if it were me when he walked on it!! Talk about
LACK OF COMMON SENSE! Anyway no more freebies for him.
Doing concrete is definitely an art and requires attention to detail, like constant monitoring of slope. Much appreciation for the guys who do this!
I'm pleasantly, amazed that the owner was so humble. A man of good character.
Yes
"Look at me...I'm a moron."
@@MarqusW1 No need to be so hard on yourself Mark.
@@MarqusW1 you might have brains but you have absolutely no brawn my man 😂you wouldn’t last 5 minutes out their, go back to your office job
Humble? Good character? How about an entitled idiot. No one is that stupid. He just didn't care.
Reminds me of laying tile and asking clients not to walk on it till it's set. Come back the next day and have to rip up tiles where the client walked and reset my work. How many times this situation has arisen in 25 years is far too many to count! Nice job guys!
Bummer
Wow, I had no idea how much work went into perfecting the surface after the concrete is poured. I really enjoyed the whole process along with the narration. I am curious to know what it looks like fully dry and whether the marks remained at all. Keep up the great work, much love from Canada!
I've heard they are hard to see unless you know where to look
Haha all that faffing around isnt needed .. steel on way to soon while it's still to wet . Makes me wonder is this how they do it in 3rd world?? All need bit more cement .. once it's gone off enough put powerfloat on it . Steeling over and over on wet concrete just seals in water leading to crazy cracking .. the steel reinforcement sitting in the dirt doing nothing it needs to be lifted on chairs. . this looks like how cowboys used to do it back in the 80's out here .. sure it's great when u need break it up and remove it cos it ain't adding any strength.
If you can see it when the concrete is wet, you'll see it when it's dry.
These guys ain’t that good
@@GT-43 the concrete was already "dry" these were very superficial marks that likely were more just seeing wet concrete move off dry concrete. If you meant the pressure washing, I assure you, wet, cured, concrete shows a lot more details than dry concrete.
I don’t know why UA-cam recommended this video, but I watched every last minute. 🤣 You and your team are artists in concrete. Thanks for sharing this job with us!
thanks
Me too lol
This is the training video for the owners to watch before they are left alone with fresh concrete.
Perfect
Not a video but at least a handout. I've had a lot of concrete work done and no one actually gave me a brochure handout about aftercare. That would actually be a good business idea
Lol
Common sense people, nothing more.
@@getin3949 common sense isnt so common anymore lool
7:50 speaking of pink bar... thank you ! Did not know such a thing existed. These bridge and building failures should have used that cuz if they crack it's one thing but to have the reinforcement rust through that is a way bigger problem and once they are exposed to air and water, it's all over for steel ! Thanks for this video. All explained perfectly and not a second wasted of time showing the procedure. Narrating it is really perfect here !!!!
Great
Glad you liked it.
Fascinating. I could not believe how many times you went over the surface after the initial pour. I'd always assumed it was pour, smooth out the surface one time, and let it dry
So the home owner could walk all over it... 🤦♂️ heh.
Nah, concrete takes time. You have to make sure that it's set and done to cure properly. I appreciate that he took the extra step to make sure no concrete touches wood. It'll become a nightmare later.
That was my first thought too. looked really wet and they worked a lot of cream to the top. In the North, this would be overworked and be a problem because all your air entrainer would be gone and itll bust and spall on the first winter. However, it looks like a southern climate so probably not an issue
If you trial concrete off at the end it hardens the surface
I thought the same pour the concert smooth it off then leave it the feck alone . Once it firm then go over it once that its smooth then leave it alone .
.all the time these guys was going over it again an again an again every time you go over it you bring the water to the surface with the cement then you rub it off so it drips over the kurb boards (as you can see they needed a hammer to knock the concert off the kurb boards to remove then) which you weeken the top of the concert by over working it you see this when ppl jet wash there drives and left with lots of sand an crap at the end of the wash that sand it where they have over worked the concrete on lay down and now crumbling apart ..
Pour it work it smooth twice then leave it ..
As someone who did two 12x24' pours for my garage, I can personally attest that timelapsing the pour and screeding process makes it look easy. It is absolutely backbreaking work to level that initial pour with a 2x4. Out here in the desert, you have to do it ridiculously fast, as well.
I live in Arizona, I know exactly what you mean.
Pour in cool weather. I did a 2 yard pour for a patio in June in Sacramento, and I had to literally run with the wheelbarrow since the concrete was setting up so fast! Never forget that.
@@scottslotterbeck3796 Yep, we poured in late fall, coming up on winter here. It was about 60 degrees with warm sun, pretty much perfect. We were running. It's absolutely the most physically demanding part of any build. It hurts to see it get ruined like in this video.
I am puzzled. I can understand how the homeowner might have thought it was okay to walk on his newly poured drive but when he took a step or two and saw that he was leaving footprints, WHY would he continue walking the entire length of the drive? I'm glad this damage will sort itself out because if Odell had to redo any of this, I do NOT think the homeowner would have been very excited about paying to repair the damage, even though he is the one who caused that damage. It is extremely good news that the drive will still be okay.
I don't know it's baffling
@@OdellCompleteConcrete pilots like to drink my man. Haha
I can more than picture this guy on his lawn walking around with a drink in one hand, a hose in the other, spraying w.e on the ground, and his dog bros just following him around doing dog stuff. Lol
Exactly what I was wondering. He made footprints, tried to scuff them out and made an even bigger mess, then continued to walk all over while dragging a hose and even spraying water on it. I mean what the heck was he thinking?
He has no brain so he can’t think
@@OdellCompleteConcrete
Great customer and great contractor !
I hope younger generation will deliver this kind of craftsmanship.
I hope so too
The younger generation won't even get out of bed and into the truck.
I’m actually stunned that a man of his age had no idea that he shouldn’t be walking around on his new driveway. I really am …
I have a kitchen fitting business and you would be amazed how many customers walk on freshly laid tiles having been told to steer clear until I arrive the next day. The same as when I make a nice job of the silicone work and a customer wipes the surface damaging the fresh sealant even though I have left the place spotless. Sometimes you just couldn’t make up the stuff that happens. It can certainly try your patience when you have pride in your work.
@@tracer1127 ~ I bet it does. I had my driveway paved (asphalt) - huge job, big driveway - and I made sure to talk to the foreman on site once they were done to reiterate exactly how long I should wait to park on it, let alone walk on it. I even waited longer than he stated, just to be safe. As a homeowner, when you are spending good money to improve your home and property, it’s so important to ask the pertinent questions to the contractor to ensure you don’t ruin or compromise the work that has been done.
he's a pilot not a construction worker
would you expect the construction worker to know what not to do in pilot's seat?
@@SickPrid3 I would expect anyone that has any brains not to touch something their not familiar with!
AND KEPT WALKING LIKE IT WAS FINE. MANS FUCKED THE WHOLE DAMN CONCRETE UP 🤣🤣
Great job there! And great patience working around the owner and his dogs standing in the middle of the worksite 😅
That's funny. When I saw the guy always standing around, I was like oh great one of THOSE customers. But, when he talked to him in the end, the guy was super chill. I never mind people like that watching (helping) me work.
I love how he walks him through like "wow look what other stupid thing you did"🤣
Fun fun fun
I liked 22:32, “What about this particular location?”
The scars I believe could have been marked by dogs
The main point is when you have fresh blade concrete do not walk on it or anything until it cures 24 hours 48 hours you're good but if you're up north in the snow area then you got to look at don't put any ice melt out people
Lol……I was thinking those same thoughts while watching Dave pointing out the marks that the owner inflicted into his newly done cemented driveway.
It’s amazing how many times you need to go over and over the spreading and smoothing of the cement. Very nice! Great to watch the process!
Lesson learned for the contractor too "i hope". Never, ever let the customer do anything as a follow up to the concrete pouring. Contractor should always put in a few extra hours in the bid/estimate to cover anything required on the 1-2 days following the concrete pour. My dad was in the concrete business for over 40yrs. There was always the potential for screw ups caused by customer, neighbor, kid on bike or skateboard, delivery person parking or walking on the new concrete, vandalism, etc following the initial concrete pouring and customers sometimes try to blame the contractor for those problems (even in cases where the contractor had set up very obvious barricades to help prevent any damages). Therefore, it is always best for contractor, "immediately after the concrete pour", to provide written instruction/release statement to customer that they are "NOT" to do anything near or over the freshly poured concrete whatsoever that may result in any unwanted damage or problems" with the new concrete poured. In addition, customer must sign and date that written release. This protects the contractor in the event something goes wrong following the new concrete installation (re. I have seen alot in my 60 yr life. Contractors are often blamed when things go wrong. Gotta play it safe "especially in these crazy times we live in". Fyi only!!!
Nice to know you went through all that work making it perfect just to have it ruined in a few minutes.
As a contractor my self I like the way your got the client to confess of his wrong doing on camera in case he changed his mind in the future.
Bingo
@@OdellCompleteConcrete That was my first thought!
Haha 😂 too funny. Good work guys. Amazing how clean it comes out before the guy decides to take it for a spin.
Although the homeowner, being kinda smart too, started the confession with "nobody told me I couldn't walk on it". Ruh Roh.
@@symcardnel1741he wasn't smart enough to stop damaging it after he noticed it was being damaged
We’re in Pennsylvania, so it’s strange seeing new concrete be placed directly on compacted soil. Compacted aggregate is a necessity in the Pittsburgh area due to high clay contents in the soil. Great work!
and freezing weather
@@OdellCompleteConcrete steel strengths a lots and will not require gravel in many places
And in Texas in the summer, cement dries in 4 hours, ready to use!!
Iowa/Minnesota here. ALWAYS put sand over the sub grade. Freeze/thaw, not clay or expansive soil. Got neither in SoCal. Yup, they pour straight over dirt. Kinda freaky at first. You get used to it. We never used a plate compactor in the midwest. Of course, we never used anything that cost more money there either. Not even a pump for an uphill pour.
I watch a guy in Maine and he usually does a lot of weird stuff you don’t see in SoCal, like styrofoam as a base
Actually liked the OLD DRIVE with the grass in the center.
I was thinking the same thing .. if offers natural drainage percolation of rain water too ... if everyone had that storm sewers capacity could be much lower!!
@@MikeBaxterABC it may be the angle of the vid, but it looks like a subtle grade
slope to the garage...had a new neighbor that redid their concrete drive in front of the
garage. we live in colo and till the first flash rain, it was all good. first spring rain, they had water IN the garage...
Ya me too. I would have just installed some drainage to address the garage flooding, and kept it the same.
They said the garage was flooding so obviously the drainage wasn’t good enough even with the grass.
Not sure how this video came up in my feed, but I watched it all - I was amazed by the process and how professional you guys are, considering it was a contra-deal, no corners were cut, I hope the banner worked out for you because this home owner definitely got a good deal. If I win the lottery, I'm gonna fly you guys to Canada to lay my driveway. 👌👌
Sounds good
I'm there
Same. Glad I clicked on it
Man that homeowner really got being in the way down to the nines. I'm not in construction but it really bugs me seeing him in the way constantly.
Looks like the obsessive/compulsive type who can't resist staying put during the construction.
Actually to a point he buggers up his new concrete. WOW.
@@yoyo762 an inordinate amount of scratching and marring he did, banner pilot went over that driveway like he's circling the beach for an afternoon
Yeah, I got frustrated just looking at the guy. Walking his dogs all around the place, guy obviously is a little bit wacky in the head...
@@Ama-hi5kn Kinda pissed me off actually.
Bugging you and being in the way stops dodgy contractors cutting corners and making off with the cash asap. It a big problem..but lots of contractors can’t be trusted.but these days it can be monitored on surveillance cameras no need to hound contractors..so you can sit in your armchair watch the screen and look out for deviation from the checklist.,then when the contractor deviates you can jump out of the house and say hey buddy! What’s goin on?
i have done concrete work for about 7 years. you guys were definitely professional and very experienced with a good crew. hard to find a good crew. wish i had one.
i cocur
@@OdellCompleteConcrete it's concur but great job👍
Nice pour, the only thing I'd do different would be near the gas line. I'd have put some kind of soft expansion joint, like rubber, about a half inch thick. Just in case the drive way slab moves towards the gas line, it'll have some give and won't pressure against the slab.
I've done massive metal buildings, where the upright beams are anchored to 4 ft. diameter sonnet tubes. Before the slab gets poured, I'd go around and wrap the sonnet tubes with 1/2 torch down roofing. Just something to prevent the slab from shifting the sonnet tubes. We're talking like 120+ truck slabs. The whole next day we'd have 3 walk behind diamond saws cutting joints. Like 8 acre buildings. Good lock!
I’ve never heard of Sonnet tubes. Are they anything like a Sonotubes ?
@@Semprefi Same thing, that's what they're called where I live. You'd get laughed off a job around these parts with your pronunciation.
Which leads to the more important character defect you've decided to make known to everyone. What kind of person reads comments to nitpick a trivial and meaningless issue? No woman, no cry mon!
Why nitpick such a trivial detail? Is it to demonstrate your mastery of all things concrete, or are you a closeted member of the grammar and spelling police. But, you could've googled that new word, and you could've saved both of us time, and one of us embarassment.
That's how we'd flame a lamer like you in the beginning.
And there was me thinking you were going to leave that as one slab. Absolutely love your methodology, beats leaving timbers in when pouring for me.
You and Tyler did a fantastic concrete job on my garage and driveway! Can’t wait for you guys to do the 16’x35’ patio slab in the backyard! Thanks again!
hi, bob how do you like this video?
When we do the back patio, we can re-visit the driveway.
Thanks Odell
Don't worry you can walk on the patio immediately after they leave and power wash as well.
I’m so glad you made this video, I commented a few videos back because we had our backyard done and we did exactly the same thing. Footprints and wet it down. I freaked out a little and you suggested doing nothing and just wait. Couple weeks later it’s drying and turning light gray. It looks great. Thanks!
Yes, that's good to know it worked out well for you.
Thanks for the comment
Why can’t humans stay off of green concrete
@@myronsmith2114 ... for the same reason a "wet paint" sign means to touch it with your finger!
So great to see and hear a guy who is so good at his job. The expertise and knowledge that comes from experience. Great stuff.
I feel for you. As a General Contractor, just watching the time-lapse and noticing how much the owner appeared to be "getting in the way" reinforces why I try to stay away from residential remodels and stick to commercial work. Major "props" to you for your patience in dealing with this guy. When you questioned him at the end and he replied that"he didn't know to stay off the concrete", I thought things were going to get bad for you, but it looks like it worked out or you.
Yes, I got a couple of frantic texts the evening of the destruction
@@OdellCompleteConcrete David Odell, I think you have over a 75% chance of having an acute heart attack or stroke. This is not spam and I am not joking. Please research Diagonal Earlobe Crease or (Frank's Sign): A Predictor of Cerebral Vascular Events
@@birddog0 If someone has deep diagonal creases in their earlobes, the risk of an immediate fatal heart attack is greatly increased. I recommend anyone who has this condition consult with their physician.
@@birddog0 or better put, why die now when you can die later?
@@OdellCompleteConcrete wont that driveway sink over time from the weight of the 5in concrete?
David Odell what a fantastic job. My only concern is that you’re not wearing a respirator when you do your concrete cuts. Silica dust is no joke.
Respirator and Monogoggles for eye protection. And even hearing muffs.
@@jayjaynella4539 AND A MANPON
you put a maxi pad over your mouth when you're working hard outside.
I love how the home owner said "I didn't know I wasn't supposed to walk on it." I would bet $1000 that you, personally told him to stay off of it.
I'm no brain surgeon, but I don't need to be told to stay off freshly poured concrete for a couple of days.
I poured the garage floor the week before and had no problems. that job is in the previous video
@@robras8805 This homeowner is total idiot. Not the sharpest tool in the shed. I bet this guy would paint something ,and immediately lick the paint to make sure it's wet.
And that guy has a pilots license???? Yikes!!!
I'm not a mason or a professional construction anything. The only thing I have ever done is watch TV and cartoons that at one point probably included tiny segments involving wet cement and how it works. No one ever told me to make sure I didn't walk on wet concrete and I would have thought everyone would know that.
I learned alot and given the circumstances your guys had to deal with , this turned out beautifully. Great job mem
TY
I love what you did with all the falls making it all work! Takes good knowledge and somebody who takes pride to do the little things to make the job perfect!
Great work 👌 I’m a Concreter from Australia and I really enjoy watching your videos and how different you guys do it compared to us. Keep it up 👍
Maybe someday we can work together
Incredible how much work you did on the surface here in the UK would have been lucky to get a quarter of that attention to the finish. Great job 👍
TY
PRIDE
Watching Bob out there doing his thing in the same space and time when y’all were trying to do your thing…it doesn’t surprise me that he thought walking and dragging a hose across and curing driveway was perfectly fine. I guess you’ll have to type up instructions for “after care” and have your clients sign it to cover yourself from people that act without thinking.
Good idea
Walking on it was crazy, but as a homeowner I do tend to hover when anyone is working on my property.
I’m the one constant, so if a contractor from one trade has a question about work someone else did, I’m the one who will always be there to answer.
We have non standard work that was done all over the property I live on by the previous owner and as I discover things I know what to tell the next people who come out to work.
I don’t interfere, but I certainly watch most of what’s being done when anyone is doing work on my property.
Pretty much my first thought too.
I stay out of people's way but watch them like a hawk on my property. You'd be surprised how many corners you can catch some people cutting when they work. Not everyone, but most that I've seen or hired I had to hold them accountable to make sure it was done as originally discussed, or make decisions when cans of worms get opened. People how hide from contractors often end up with the most botched jobs, trust me, I've learned that the hard way many times lol.
@@jenniferford2067 Nothing worse than a hovering customer.
This is professionalism at its finest. Great job start to finish! Its too bad the owner touched the concrete too early he was probably excited about the fresh concrete and it is important to leave it untouched... if a heavy rain is predicted the company could bring out some wet curing blanket to cover the driveway and prevent the rain from causing divots. Otherwise a light rain will not affect the fresh concrete too much. Some people want to DIY these kind of projects but what we see from this video is "It is better to leave it to the professionals".
I concur
TY
That was really cool to watch, and hear the details of pouring a concrete driveway. I've seen it done, but never paid attention or asked questions. Not so naive anymore, lol, great job!
Great
TY
Homeowner thought he'd help by being in the way, every minute of every day.
Free donuts and coffee everyday
@@OdellCompleteConcrete Any update on the marks he made?
Man I’ve poured concrete enough times to know these guys do really good work. It’s a horrible job to have to do and you guys do it well.
Correctimundo pal...
Is it really horrible? I might want to do this sort of thing in the future
It's OK work they do alot more than they need to . I'm sure to charge more money.
As a tile setter i always let people know to stay the heck off of the tiles but sometimes people dont listen! Great job and great video.
Odell's the best, such a cool guy and thankful for his willingness to share, love the videos!
I have done quite a bit of diy concreting and I can tell you its not as easy as you guys make it look. Good job done.
Ty
*Dude was constantly in the way, Buddy learned a tough lesson. He's old enough to know better...*
Lmao old enough.. That's hilarious
@@harruar7214 Exactly! lol😂 Young jackasses grow old to become old jackasses.
cut him some slack kids and old guys are curious like that ..plus it was his own property he messed up 😂😂😂
When I was younger and contracting I tended to think it was the female that usually interfered. But the most classic case the wife was a breadwinner accountant and the husbard was at home all day....and bored......and curious. You can imagine how that went.
Wow, you're a pro! Even as a serious DIY'er I would have never known and considered all those details you implemented.
David, just a great explanation to the very fast time lapse. The video sped up with your narration makes it for a very interesting post! Keep them comin'. ¡Gracias señor!
Your welcome
TY
I absolutely love seeing companies that care this much about quality. Good job 👍🏻
TY
Didn’t matter much though did it? Nothing worse than putting your hard work into something and then have someone come behind you to destroy it and then not give a damn. I hope the owner is embarrassed Of his ignorance
A few years ago I laid a driveway for an elderly couple opposite an extension I was building for another client. I didn't really charge them for the labour because I managed to fit it in while the scaffolders were at the other job. The concrete was poured and tamped then I floated it and though I say so myself it looked bloody good. That was Friday afternoon so imagine my reaction when as I pulled up across the road on Monday morning the old fella greeted me with the phrase "not impressed mate, in fact a blind donkey could've done better"! So I went straight round there to survey the horror myself and I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was covered in footprints and it had deep weird marks all over it. Now, despite what the old duffer was saying I knew that there was no way I had left it like that so I said that I'd have to think about how it could be rectified and I'd pop round later in the day. When I walked round the back of the house opposite where I was building the extension I found the owner grinning like a Cheshire cat, "problems", he'd been watching the drama unfold across the street and he then told me that after I left on Friday he stood in his living room watching the stupid old git across the road grab a stiff broom and proceed to spend the next 3 hours scrubbing at it whilst his missus ran back and forth with buckets of water and mugs of tea. Furnished with this information i marched back across the road to confront said old git only to be told that I had obviously paid off his neighbour to lie for me and he was going to trading standards! At this point I told him to do whatever he wanted because as far as I was concerned he was a clown and now he had threatened me I wasn't going to have anything more to do with him. Over the next 2 years I built 3 more extensions on that little street so no one else took him seriously and about 5 years ago that bungalow was on rightmove so the next time I was close by I decided to take a look at the drive and it was still the same lol. So I guess the moral is "don't lay driveways for lying old gits"!
No good deed goes unpunished
So, you already poured perfect concrete for the old couple, they stepped all over it, and then they told you how bad of a job you did?? Did they not remember how good their driveway looked before they screwed with it??
@@wearytrader535 when I was younger I stupidly believed that old people were all as honest as the day is long, having dealt with a lot of silver tops over the years. I've now come to the conclusion that some people are just arseholes no matter how old they are!
@@sambrooks7862 Haha thanks for the advice Sam! I'll keep that in mind.
@@wearytrader535 👍
Great video and commentary. I love your meticulous approach and detailed explanations. Really outstanding. Also, great how respectful you were to the home owner after mistakes had happened. Cause after all, it is his driveway and he can do with it as he pleases.
One question: I see a lot of troweling after the pour. You appear to go over the entire concrete at least 5 times with hand trowels. How many times do you typically hand trowel the same area? And what were to happen if you would only pour, float, then hand trowel once, and call it a day? Have never poured a driveway, just done minor concrete work, and curious.
Keep up the great work and all the best.
Sometimes you can’t give the owners enough info. No matter what you do or say, they will try to put their “touch” on the project! The owner is just lucky that what he did was superficial.
VERY nice job on the pour. Top shelf stuff right there. But, any homeowner that would have a new driveway poured and leave a 2 foot strip of grass to mow, well, they're not too bright. So, I am not surprised what the homeowner did with the fresh pour.
Found that kind of odd n dumb, too. I would have just gotten rid of the trees as well so its extra space to even turn a car around if needed.
I love how you make a difficult job look so damn easy. Nice work!
TY
The owner was nonchalant about it. He even thanked you. Seemed like a perfect time to have thanked him for the banner as well.
Great job! and the video shows how much hard work and time that goes into this. You guys deserve every dollar you charge
Thats an amazing job. I can't believe the owner wasn't told not to walk on it or drag things on it or water it. The amount of professional care you guys put into this was wonderful to see, he obviously didn't appreciate your skill and effort. It was actually painful to see him walking all over it with his dogs many times long before you finished it. Not surprise he ruined it.
Maybe your right, since it was a trade off
Some people just know better than everyone 😭 lol
I was shocked at the amount of time hand finishing. I assume you guys in the USA like to see a super smooth driveway.
Here in the uk unless it's an internal floor it gets tapped down to finish and A Single trowel width rub round the oouter edge. gives a great look and good grip even in icy conditions.Much quicker than all the manual manipulation that you do there.
They poured it too wet. All that time was not necessary
@@WillaHerrera Its needs to be wetter to be pumped and he said there was no accelerator in it.
Very nice work 👏👏✌️ driveway looks awesome! I was kinda surprised that the homeowner was tap dancing on the new driveway so fast ! Thank goodness it all worked out ✌️😂
What a good learning experience! Lol seriously what a down to earth homeowner and your customer service is great too!
We agree!
It is so nice to hear someone who is so knowledgeable about his profession, AND so willing to share that knowledge with others. It is obvious he loves his job!!
I am 65yrs old, and I was basically mesmerized through the entire video. I doubt I will ever to apply what I learned, but that’s okay, because the joy is in the learning!
So nice of you
It makes me so sad seeing the fine quality of work you guys do, knowing that no matter what we've needed done here, short cuts were taken (with all projects) and not a darn was given for the project that we had to spend so much money for. (It's just that way where I live).
that's a real bummer
I worked for my family's concrete business for 42 yrs from 1973 - 2016. We did mostly new residential tracts and some small commercial. One morning in the 80's we poured the complete outside of a new home. I stopped there on my way home to strip it and there was a car on the driveway. It was the owner of the home. Boy was I mad, but by some miracle it didn't harm it at all I guess because it had been down long enough. I really miss it.
Before the homeowner ruined the driveway I was so frustrated at the way he helicoptered around the whole job process like watching everything your guys were doing ( sign of a know all )he was constantly in the way and inevitably ruined your normally great professional finish . Then when you had the video reveal of the footprints and water hose drag marks and said , what happened here ?, he says I walked on it but didn’t know I couldn’t , 100% my head blew
Of course he knew he couldn't walk on it; he childishly lied.
And the guy flies airplanes?
@@johntalbert8227 Hard to believe, huh?
Yep he was a big dummy.
.....spent HOURS standing and staring....at one point he's totally in the way in between the fence and the fresh drive... idiot.
Great work, thank you for filming all. Not an easy task. Am I the only one that noticed that your fine slab work is valued GREATER than the dude's house? Looks like mini-house bought from a catalogue.
Presumably that roller-door to the left of the garage at the rear of the house just opens onto the covered patio, which means the area of patio plus garage must be close to the size of just the house by itself.
Obviously the guy is single!
Tremendous skill and care are shown throughout this video! What a great job by an obviously great company!
TY
Great artistry! Most people are unaware of how much backbreaking labor + skill is "poured" into a simple flat looking slab.