Hey Jeff , as Union cement mason out of California. I really admire the fact that you're out there just getting after it. Doing what you need to do Sir, yes a lot of the methods you implemented are indeed DIY, however it gets the job done. what I see in this video is genuine hard work ethic and humbleness with a great attitude!!! Keep it bud !!
I think you blew this one I couldn't. I can show you a lot about putting concrete down. And I'll never have to go back and get more concrete anyway, you try it.
I do this work all the time at work. We would drill holes into the side of the existing and put some thin rebar so after time the pad doesn't sink or rise from the existing.
EXACTLY RIGHT, join existing concrete with new pour. Use a powerful 1/2 drill and mason bit, drill as far as you desire and insert rebar about every 16” inches as desired, You can even shoot concrete gap filler into the hole to keep rebar from moving, but in many cases…. Just hammer the rebar in. Also, in this video I would have used simple rolled garden fencing to give concrete resistance to cracking. Cut the fencing to fit with good wire cutters and use anything to poke into the ground to keep the fencing elevated during the pour.
I just want to thank you for being kind and generous with your knowledge and sharing it with others. You have been my go to for DIY videos because my dad built our house but he never finished it, and to say he left it half done, would be an understatement. I have shared your videos with my friends and they have taken on projects now in their homes as well and also come over and help me with whatever mine is that month. Wish you could see us, running back to my trailer that is behind the house so we can review your videos again while we are working, lol. Because of your videos, I unlocked a hidden talent but ALSO ended up discovering that I can carve wood as good as I draw. So I also do relief wood carvings. I, along with my buddy, have managed to reframe, insulate and put new panels into a used travel trailer I purchased years ago, along with redid the entire plumbing for it. It is my "Chic Cave", and also doubles as my work office. I just finished building a dog kennel from scratch, we put a new door onto my dad's house and also put new tile in the bathroom because was just a cement floor beforehand. And now we are taking on finishing/remodeling the kitchen in my dad's house. My dad doesn't even doubt me anymore. He is encouraging and looks forward to my projects because he knows it always turns out looking great and is seeing his house being transformed. My only regret is that I had discovered this ability to build and woodwork after my ma passed away. But this is why I push my daughter to try different things because what you were made to do may be found in the craziest of places.
That tip on how to pour a bag of concrete into the pale was golden. I've only done it a few times but always struggled cause I would cut the bag from the top and make a mess trying to shake it out. Almost look forwards to the next time I need to mix concrete 😁
I did concrete for 17 years. Always had to adapt and improvise. Using that flashing for your curved edge worked great. Only recommendation- work toward your expansion board. Then you don’t have to pull and push it while in wet concrete. Good job!! 👍👍
Looks great, anyone criticizing and trying to make it better is proving their greed in keeping people from doing their own work. I’m sure for structural surfaces additional prep and additional work can be done. This is a great diy and you don’t need to hire “jack the concrete dude” for it lol
Next time you want to form a curve buy some pvc trim boards. And drive your screws from the outside of the pour so you can pull your stakes then pull forms much easier.
I'm far from being an expert in concrete work, but there's a lot of criticism in this comment section! I'm sure that we need to remind ourselves that the purpose here is how to make a simple concrete walkway, not a weight-bearing slab that is going to be built on, driven over, etc. Something that you can achieve yourself armed with basic knowledge. Can it be better? Sure, but that requires expense, practice and a lot more effort. Can it be worse? Absolutely, by a long way. The basics are covered, and the video arms you with enough to get a job done that meets the requirement and doesn't blow your budget. It's all good.
Idk what's the big deal. 🤷♂️ Jeff knows what the average homeowner should know. Pros don't have all the answers. I can do a job and fail and have to do it all over again, but more than likely, I can fail and still be better off being a DIYer cuz the cost of labor is not cheap. The pros will make the same mistakes, and I'll still have to pay for the mistakes etherway, so I would rather be the one responsible and be the student that gets pad to learn. Jeff needs some respect.
If I can mix the intelligent articulation of a college professor with calloused hands of a construction professional, I get Jeff. Always a pleasure and inspiring to listen to and watch how these are done. Thank you.
you'll probably never see this, but this was the video that got me started on your channel. i've watched untold videos of yours since then and i'll never look back. you've saved buttloads of money. thank you for these videos, thank you for being awesome.
I've been doing concrete work for almost 20 years now and I must say for not having alot of concrete experience along with being creative and working with the bare minimum and spending the least amount of money in order to complete the task at hand. The finish prodect looks good for wjat you had to work with. So for tjay much respect to you sir!.
Sir, I keep watching your videos because these days we are doing a diy in our new house. Your videos are genuine. You show your mistakes and learn from it. Thanks for the ideas and for sharing!
Love to see you showing what seems to be old school these days. I rarely see edges put on any concrete around here anymore. It never looks completed, i'll take that old school edge any day. Nice job!
Рік тому+16
I made my first small concrete slab one month ago... was very satisfied. It was around 40 "x 60" area and used around 20 60lb bags... Thanks for the video, added more ideas and encourage me to continue ahead...
So much negativity , thanks for your extremely helpful videos man. You’re the best. Just a young man in his 20s trying to maintain my first home! Thank you
Nice video good effort. A few things to note. 1. Don't use metal flashing, it will make a wavey curve, use 5/16 Masonite (home depot) bows really evenly down to a 18" radius and cheaper. 2. put wire mesh in, especially if your not in sandy soil like Florida. The sandy soil is stable so not a lot of movement. But other places, PVR (potential vertical rise) can be 4" Concrete WILL crack that is a guarantee all by itself no load. wire mesh or rebar will hold it together. Colder climates have moisture get into the cracks, freezes and breaks it apart. 3. Dowel into the pavement, so when the soil moves both slabs move together, prevents trip hazards. it is also why you don't want to go with 2" of concrete, #3 rebar is 3/8 leaving 3/4" concrete above and below. go with 3-1/2" or 4"
I want to thank you for a trick you showed in a different video. On reversing your drill for enough time to burn the hole and then setting screws into pine. The time it saves from pre drilling is in tons. Plus iv never split my work material not even once. What a valuable tip.
Happy little lines. I really appreciate your style of talking through the work along the way, and calling things that might trip someone up (lines on the concrete) for those us who have worked with concrete before. So helpful.
I did a similar shape but instead of using Aluminum for the edging, try using a plastic garden edging . Example: Lowes "Black Plastic Landscape Edging Roll" and flip it so the smooth edge is the side that faces the Concrete. It's is a stiffer material so you don't need as many stakes and the bends are a lot smoother
@pablolee5679 I believe that it is currently Saturday the 10th of June, but You may be over the date line. But I echo what you wrote and agree, He has a soothing way to explain things.
Great work 👏, im a metal framer/drywaller by trade in houston and belive me i take on any task necesesary around tge house from plumbing to electrical,fencing and small concrete jobs , when a man is a hard worker in construction 🚧 every task around the house becomes simple bc we have alot of tools and knowledge in the game
Also another tip I learnt the hard way: always overestimate the material you need. If you think you need 10 bags, buy 15. If you end up needing 11 bags, would you rather pack up all your stuff and drive to the nearest store for 1 more bag, or after the job is finished return the 4 bags you didn't need?
You are correct! I could see he didn't have enough concrete from the get-go. You don't want to let your concrete slab getting hard while you venture to the store for another bag. Do you know what a cold joint is? It's not good!
I lost my parents when i was young and had to teach myself everything. All these petty comments on here isnt very professional from these self-proclaimed professionals, probably who probably had peers to learn from. I've learned more from gentleman like this than i ever have from cocky, know it all, "professionals. Thank you to you and everyone like you that take the time to make videos like this! God bless you all!
DIY projects don’t have to be spec perfect. If you’re doing it for yourself and it meets your needs and saves you hundreds of $$ then go for it. We learn from our mistakes
The average homeowner needs to know how to do basic concrete and I think this covers the bases. I grew up skipping school and pouring concrete with my dad and he started me out on sidewalks and small curbs and quickly graduated to driveways. Now as a homeowner I’m so glad I know how to do concrete.
I grew up around tradesmen my dad and uncles were all in union steel,carpenters,masonry,sheet metal I learned all that growing up grateful now too I learned from old school guys who learned from even older school guys who had ton of knowledge.
Thanks man. I've been looking at a bunch of videos all of them make. It seem like you have to pour each bag at the same time. Now I really feel like I can make a 40×10 slab. Without getting ripped off.
Definitely buy or rent a mixer. 40x10 is a ton of bags. We’re soon to finish an 80x12 area in phases. I was quoted 10-14k and we’ll have it done for $2500 with materials and 4-5 days of solo work.
You e helped me with SO MANY remodeling projects, Jeff! But I would have put the mixing bin down in the concrete hole, so any spills would land in the sidewalk area
You definitely inspired me to try some curved radius sidewalks at my house. I'm also determined to use hardware store materials, already cut to width. I've tried to think of something bendy, yet able to stake down...and I want the top to be at the top grade so I can screed material and make it level-ish. I'm going to try some synthetic decking for broad curves, which it should bend no problem...and maybe use a hair dryer to heat it up where curves need to be tighter. The only other thing I can think of is PVC boards, but they are thin and I'd probably have to use short screws.
I did exactly what u did with the aluminum flashing yet i had to rent a small cement mixer because since the texas heat and my area was an 3ft wide by 12ft long. Love your videos.
NIce job, only thing I might have done differently is using some of that same expansion joint or even siding, which are very flexible as your form for the curve and then set the level on the form with the driveway, for a cleaner look.
I saw those few bags and I said I'd like to see that trick. Everything you talked about was brilliant. I bought a diamond 8 1/2 " blade for a circular saw and curved all my corners to prevent crackibg down the road. Of course putting in expNsion joints is easy while its still soft after being broomed or finished. Good job!
Great job..Listen I have done plenty of beautiful DIYs .. and in today's world ...just doing anything yourself is at the top..I'm 64 and have seen hundreds of concrete mishaps by said professionals... great stuff is inside this mans mind heart and abilities..keep sharing....hate mail shouldn't be here ..welcome to the USA.. 22 years traveling around our globe..we here have such a sad outlook where life can easy..let's not be ugly.. sad folks need to go live in others countries outside this continent..Keep sharing Thanks
I ran the building materials department of Home Depot and one thing I did find out was, who came up with the idea of putting 60 lbs/80 lbs in a paper sack. Groceries don't work in a paper sack.
You are certainly one talented professional Remodeler. But I was kind of shocked how you made such a mess on the driveway when you could’ve been mixing on the yard? Also would’ve you needed some rebar drilled in to the existing concrete to secure it to the other slabs and maybe even a little bit of wire mesh to lay down?? Thanks for the video.
Last year my wife and I tackled our first cement slab in our pump house. Our used buy ($200 electric cement mixer) was perfect for the job. We aced our project. Cost us a whole $50 versus hiring a contractor who would have probably charged a $500 min flat fee. To all the women out there... start relying on yourselves... we can (easily) do these jobs. It's not rocket science. Don't be intimidated by tasks ... just do it! Thx for the tips Jeff. And thx to the cement pros here for bringing the rebar enforcement between the two. Will do!!
Man I went crazy a couple years ago around my backyard and layed a bunch of concrete here there and anywhere I could. Probably went through 2-3 hundred 60# bags. I tried all kinds of various ways to form the curved edges I needed, and just basically followed no rules whatsoever... except no dry pour used. Every single bit of concrete I laid still lioks 100% awesome. I've gotten tons of compliments and have had guests ask "Who did the creative pouring out there"😂😂. It was very therapeutic and alot of fun. I'm getting ready to go again too, as I'm fixing to do a 20x20 pad that I'm going to install a carport on in the woods for my tractor and lawn mower and such. I prefer to do things myself and I don't worry about what the Pros recommend as that usually entails spending much more money than I want. Call me captain half ass, but I been doing stuff like that for decades and I think it's a much smarter way for a broke fool like myself. Great video buddy!!
Im near the Canadian border. And I’m trying to extend a concrete pad so I can build a larger shed. And after I dig about 2 ‘ I hit granite, quartz or some other kind of stone. So to get it level I have to build pour concrete right above the highest peak of stone or take pic axe and chip away until it is flat. I’ll just pour concrete to level it and get a flat surface. I guess this good because I never have to worry settling
The next homeowner will drive over the thin slab to deliver appliances to the front door! That will crack into pieces! Never underestimate the weight bearing of future activity. Go 3 1/2" minimum along any driveway. A long striking tool like a 2" x 4" x 8' will help level the surface all the way across. Otherwise, you are pulling and pushing around concrete too much. Increasing the chance for low spots creating puddles when it rains. FYI. I am 63, been there, done that.
LOVE this!! It's the best video I've watched (I've watch A LOT for the past couple of months) with great detail and lots of clear explanations. Thank you SO much from this DIYer. 😊👍
Well done mate, the flashing worked well. The expansion joint I allow it sit above the finished concrete and then cut it with stanley knife. Works quite well and avoids any trip hazards.
Makes no sense to leave the expansion joint high and then have to cut it off later. I'd love to see how nicely finished that expansion joint looked after you hacked it off.
This is a great video in that it shows its not that hard to do just a simple little pour and once try it out for yourself you can then start to build off of that experience
So the expansion joint that I used was in a roll and has a removable strip on it so after you pour the concrete you remove the perforated strip from the top to leave like 2 CM gap that you can fill with an acoustic sealant!
When I make a curve in my form. I use mdf 1x4. It bends and you can screed it with a 2x4 over the top and get the surface flat before you float the surface and cut the edge.
You are awesome. I enjoy watching all your videos. You have a true follower. Keep up the the awesome work you do I've learned so much from you thank you and bless you.
I get that this is not your expert grade job so I’m ignoring some of the shortcoming of this slab. It’ll do the job of a walkway fine enough I hope. I mainly want to point out a technique issue that costs you no time or effort and increases the material strength a lot. If you need to adjust the grade of your work it’s best to scoop the mud (use your trowel end like a shovel or have a mate nearby with a tool) so you are placing a homogenous mix of mud in the low area (not a segregation of sand and bleed water). Pushing the concrete around that much with a trowel, especially with as much bleed water as he had is making the surface considerably weaker in my opinion.
Jeff, I Love how you take people’s suggestions like a champ. Lol most people get so butt hurt because they think they know everything and their way is the right way always. My attitude has always been to be open to never stop learning new things. Btw you are my go-to for everything I work on in my house. I needed to learn how to do something the other day and so I pulled up your UA-cam and watched the video. Learned what I needed to know. Later I called my brother and asked him his opinion how how to do it and he said he wasn’t sure and without knowing I follow you he sent me a video of you . Hahah how funny is that. Can’t believe him and I watch the same person on UA-cam out of all the people on here. Pretty cool. Thanks for all the details in the videos . Very helpful!
I've been watching a lot of videos on diy sidewalks lately. Stumbled across your video. Very well made video, your comments and suggestions were nonstop, you kept the video moving, all while explaining everything you were doing and why you were doing it! 26 and a half minute video and I couldnt stop watching! Only thing is I wish you would have shown the final product a little more! Overall, a terrific 10 out of 10 video. I really enjoyed it and will check out your other videos!
It’s good that this build is for a walk area with cars/trucks and all your going to want to add rebar and gravel underneath, but i’m sure you know that. Props to the work though i’m a huge fan of your daily videos!
I dont know about florida but we have suppliers that will readymix exactly what you need on site no matter how small a project without a small load charge
6/10/23 I realize these video's are delayed by a few months, but I am hoping the Comment reading is current. I seriously hope that your properties in Ottawa are safe from the current wildfires burning all over Canada. As always a pleasure to watch and hear you teach. Glad you finally pulled out the knee pads! ( lol) Thanks Jeff, shivering black bell thumbs up
I love you Geoff but this is Horrible! Im an actual concreter and I thought this was a joke, like April fools but its not April. So many things wrong with this. Virtually every step stinks of amateur. 2 inches of concrete is not enough, 4 inches is the minimum. You poured it half inch lower than existing concrete!!! The biggest no no of all, A perfect toe catcher, that would get ripped up if it was on government land. That curve you tried to blend into driveway... will snap off in about six months, no steel, no dowels into existing, no edge thickening so rain will undermine it. You only need expansion when its between concrete not up against so thats ugly and unnecessary. Great channel honestly, but pouring concrete for the average homeowner is a terrible idea. Its harder and more expensive to pull it out than it is to put it in, cheers.
It is not horrible. it is DIY. Do you see a pump truck and a bunch of finishers. No. If you are a professional watching this channel we don't need your opinion.
maybe, but as a proc concreter you know damn well nobody is going to even take a call for a project this size. I don't do concrete, but I had to do it. now it is done. looks decent. which was my goal. and BTW i backed over the tip with the truck and guess what no crack. just saying.
Looks good, sounds great! I want to put concrete in the dumb strip between my sidewalk and street eventually, or maybe something else. But this was helpful in understanding how that could happen
Nice job however, you should have used some 1' rebar pieces and drilled a few holes in the existing slab sides to prevent the new concrete slab from settling over time due to water run off which undercuts the dirt under the slab. Common problem in Florida with torrential rain and run off.
Forgot to mention a leveler.. Not sure about the aluminum flashing you used, just because of waviness between the stakes and leveling purpose.. I would have used the long thinner strip of wood that you can bend and stake plus base your level height (grade) off of with some string (must have a leveler to do this).. That way once you have the level (grade) height you desire from the top of the wood, you can screed the surface from one side to the other using the wood and the existing driveway as a guide to get it completely flat, then optional to bull float, edge it and follow up with troweling it. Just food for thought
Now you have to do a dry pored concrete video to be a trendy UA-camr! Seriously though , I’ed like to know the limitations and drawbacks to this method or if it is just a BS Internet trend. Thanks for the video!
I'm a little older DIY, and hand mixing is ok with 10 bags or less, but get over twenty bags and I'm using a mixer. The preferred mix is the mud mixer it's worth the $100 rental fee per day.
Hey Jeff , as Union cement mason out of California. I really admire the fact that you're out there just getting after it. Doing what you need to do Sir, yes a lot of the methods you implemented are indeed DIY, however it gets the job done. what I see in this video is genuine hard work ethic and humbleness with a great attitude!!! Keep it bud !!
Agreed. Not everything has to be done completely right. Shortcuts can be taken to make the job easier and cheaper
Kiss kiss.
😂
@@koisolare correct.
I think you blew this one I couldn't. I can show you a lot about putting concrete down. And I'll never have to go back and get more concrete anyway, you try it.
I do this work all the time at work. We would drill holes into the side of the existing and put some thin rebar so after time the pad doesn't sink or rise from the existing.
How does that work with the expansion joint?
@@midreamsyou have to notch or drill through the expansion. My company also does this. Did not realize people actually skip the step until now lol
EXACTLY RIGHT, join existing concrete with new pour. Use a powerful 1/2 drill and mason bit, drill as far as you desire and insert rebar about every 16” inches as desired,
You can even shoot concrete gap filler into the hole to keep rebar from moving, but in many cases…. Just hammer the rebar in.
Also, in this video I would have used simple rolled garden fencing to give concrete resistance to cracking. Cut the fencing to fit with good wire cutters and use anything to poke into the ground to keep the fencing elevated during the pour.
@@jetfixer8198if you dig a bit more down, would it also work to put the rebar under the bottom edge of the existing slab?
Exactly what i did when turning a 9x9 into a 50x10
I just want to thank you for being kind and generous with your knowledge and sharing it with others. You have been my go to for DIY videos because my dad built our house but he never finished it, and to say he left it half done, would be an understatement. I have shared your videos with my friends and they have taken on projects now in their homes as well and also come over and help me with whatever mine is that month. Wish you could see us, running back to my trailer that is behind the house so we can review your videos again while we are working, lol. Because of your videos, I unlocked a hidden talent but ALSO ended up discovering that I can carve wood as good as I draw. So I also do relief wood carvings. I, along with my buddy, have managed to reframe, insulate and put new panels into a used travel trailer I purchased years ago, along with redid the entire plumbing for it. It is my "Chic Cave", and also doubles as my work office. I just finished building a dog kennel from scratch, we put a new door onto my dad's house and also put new tile in the bathroom because was just a cement floor beforehand. And now we are taking on finishing/remodeling the kitchen in my dad's house. My dad doesn't even doubt me anymore. He is encouraging and looks forward to my projects because he knows it always turns out looking great and is seeing his house being transformed. My only regret is that I had discovered this ability to build and woodwork after my ma passed away. But this is why I push my daughter to try different things because what you were made to do may be found in the craziest of places.
well done. there is no limit to our potential if we simply try. Cheers!
He really is the BEST!
Amen! Good on you.
Heart warming, thanks for sharing.
That tip on how to pour a bag of concrete into the pale was golden. I've only done it a few times but always struggled cause I would cut the bag from the top and make a mess trying to shake it out. Almost look forwards to the next time I need to mix concrete 😁
I did concrete for 17 years. Always had to adapt and improvise. Using that flashing for your curved edge worked great. Only recommendation- work toward your expansion board. Then you don’t have to pull and push it while in wet concrete. Good job!! 👍👍
Thanks for sharing
Looks great, anyone criticizing and trying to make it better is proving their greed in keeping people from doing their own work. I’m sure for structural surfaces additional prep and additional work can be done. This is a great diy and you don’t need to hire “jack the concrete dude” for it lol
truth is they won't even call back once you tell them how small it is. Cheers!
Next time you want to form a curve buy some pvc trim boards. And drive your screws from the outside of the pour so you can pull your stakes then pull forms much easier.
The fun police has arrived. Lol
I'm far from being an expert in concrete work, but there's a lot of criticism in this comment section! I'm sure that we need to remind ourselves that the purpose here is how to make a simple concrete walkway, not a weight-bearing slab that is going to be built on, driven over, etc. Something that you can achieve yourself armed with basic knowledge. Can it be better? Sure, but that requires expense, practice and a lot more effort. Can it be worse? Absolutely, by a long way. The basics are covered, and the video arms you with enough to get a job done that meets the requirement and doesn't blow your budget. It's all good.
so you paint and you are claiming my concrete is no good. Hmmm. thanks doctor!
@@HomeRenoVisionDIYI think you replied to the wrong comment. He was defending you, not critiquing.
Idk what's the big deal. 🤷♂️ Jeff knows what the average homeowner should know. Pros don't have all the answers. I can do a job and fail and have to do it all over again, but more than likely, I can fail and still be better off being a DIYer cuz the cost of labor is not cheap. The pros will make the same mistakes, and I'll still have to pay for the mistakes etherway, so I would rather be the one responsible and be the student that gets pad to learn.
Jeff needs some respect.
@@-josh777You've been sniffing too many paint fumes mate 🤣
@@michaelrdegroat He did not make a mistake. The painter was the critic.
If I can mix the intelligent articulation of a college professor with calloused hands of a construction professional, I get Jeff. Always a pleasure and inspiring to listen to and watch how these are done. Thank you.
Cheers. and thanks for watching.
An old school college professor you must refer to otherwise it's quite an insult.
you'll probably never see this, but this was the video that got me started on your channel. i've watched untold videos of yours since then and i'll never look back. you've saved buttloads of money. thank you for these videos, thank you for being awesome.
I've been doing concrete work for almost 20 years now and I must say for not having alot of concrete experience along with being creative and working with the bare minimum and spending the least amount of money in order to complete the task at hand. The finish prodect looks good for wjat you had to work with. So for tjay much respect to you sir!.
Sir, I keep watching your videos because these days we are doing a diy in our new house. Your videos are genuine. You show your mistakes and learn from it. Thanks for the ideas and for sharing!
Love to see you showing what seems to be old school these days. I rarely see edges put on any concrete around here anymore. It never looks completed, i'll take that old school edge any day. Nice job!
I made my first small concrete slab one month ago... was very satisfied. It was around 40 "x 60" area and used around 20 60lb bags... Thanks for the video, added more ideas and encourage me to continue ahead...
Nice work!
40 inches by 60 inches took 20 bags?…seems like a lot
He learned from Jeff not to underestimate the amount of concrete you'll need. @@denisefarrell7786
@denisefarrell7786 ...4" deep it would calculate to about 6 bags.
how much did you take back to store?
These videos are great and have helped me out so much! You show your mistakes and how to fix them. I respect that.
So much negativity , thanks for your extremely helpful videos man. You’re the best. Just a young man in his 20s trying to maintain my first home! Thank you
Nice video good effort. A few things to note. 1. Don't use metal flashing, it will make a wavey curve, use 5/16 Masonite (home depot) bows really evenly down to a 18" radius and cheaper. 2. put wire mesh in, especially if your not in sandy soil like Florida. The sandy soil is stable so not a lot of movement. But other places, PVR (potential vertical rise) can be 4" Concrete WILL crack that is a guarantee all by itself no load. wire mesh or rebar will hold it together. Colder climates have moisture get into the cracks, freezes and breaks it apart. 3. Dowel into the pavement, so when the soil moves both slabs move together, prevents trip hazards. it is also why you don't want to go with 2" of concrete, #3 rebar is 3/8 leaving 3/4" concrete above and below. go with 3-1/2" or 4"
A for effort?
I want to thank you for a trick you showed in a different video. On reversing your drill for enough time to burn the hole and then setting screws into pine. The time it saves from pre drilling is in tons. Plus iv never split my work material not even once. What a valuable tip.
Happy little lines.
I really appreciate your style of talking through the work along the way, and calling things that might trip someone up (lines on the concrete) for those us who have worked with concrete before. So helpful.
Awesome! Thank you!
Right on que, I planned on pouring a slab for my family member and Jeff rolls out this. Perfect timing!
Cue.
@@williamwilson6499 queue
If you measure the correct amount of water onto a bucket ● then mark it ● you can have a consistent mix by refilling to the mark.
Sir, you are doing a great job. Keep doing what you are doing, educating all Americans. I appreciated.
I love your creativity and the fact that you walk and talk us through the process. Keep them coming!!
I did a similar shape but instead of using Aluminum for the edging, try using a plastic garden edging . Example: Lowes "Black Plastic Landscape Edging Roll" and flip it so the smooth edge is the side that faces the Concrete. It's is a stiffer material so you don't need as many stakes and the bends are a lot smoother
Good idea, thanks!
Love that Sean. Cheers!
Yeah that stuff for edges of gardens?
I was thinking 1/8" hardboard ripped to 4" strips if'n you have a circular saw handy.
Hardie board siding,,,,, and you gotta tap it so after you wreck the forms it’s not honeycombed
After watching 50 videos on dry pour concrete, this seemed like the perfect project for it.
I agree would have prevented so many issues
The music, your voice, the work itself are so soothing. It was perfect for my Sunday afternoon. Thank you!
@pablolee5679 I believe that it is currently Saturday the 10th of June, but You may be over the date line. But I echo what you wrote and agree, He has a soothing way to explain things.
@@MBMCincy63 Yeah that freaked me out for a minute. Thought I had the day wrong.
I'm so glad!
Thanks for making these concrete pad videos! I'm getting ready to do some small pads and this along with your shed pad videos are so helpful.
I love how you always find a way to re-invent the wheel, keeps me entertained. Thank you!
My pleasure! When working on a budget you need to get creative!
Great work 👏, im a metal framer/drywaller by trade in houston and belive me i take on any task necesesary around tge house from plumbing to electrical,fencing and small concrete jobs , when a man is a hard worker in construction 🚧 every task around the house becomes simple bc we have alot of tools and knowledge in the game
Also another tip I learnt the hard way: always overestimate the material you need. If you think you need 10 bags, buy 15. If you end up needing 11 bags, would you rather pack up all your stuff and drive to the nearest store for 1 more bag, or after the job is finished return the 4 bags you didn't need?
You are correct!
I could see he didn't have enough concrete from the get-go.
You don't want to let your concrete slab getting hard while you venture to the store for another bag. Do you know what a cold joint is? It's not good!
Especially when it comes to pouring concrete.
I lost my parents when i was young and had to teach myself everything. All these petty comments on here isnt very professional from these self-proclaimed professionals, probably who probably had peers to learn from. I've learned more from gentleman like this than i ever have from cocky, know it all, "professionals. Thank you to you and everyone like you that take the time to make videos like this! God bless you all!
DIY projects don’t have to be spec perfect. If you’re doing it for yourself and it meets your needs and saves you hundreds of $$ then go for it. We learn from our mistakes
the "professionals" are just upset we're doing it and getting results we're happy with without them.
The average homeowner needs to know how to do basic concrete and I think this covers the bases. I grew up skipping school and pouring concrete with my dad and he started me out on sidewalks and small curbs and quickly graduated to driveways. Now as a homeowner I’m so glad I know how to do concrete.
I grew up around tradesmen my dad and uncles were all in union steel,carpenters,masonry,sheet metal I learned all that growing up grateful now too I learned from old school guys who learned from even older school guys who had ton of knowledge.
Pouring my diy backyard slab today. I got my drum mixer used offer up $100 , 30 bags 90 lbs and chicken wire used from offer up $60 almost half used.
Thanks for watching. Learn how to pour a concrete slab with an affordable concrete mixer 👉🏼ua-cam.com/video/7j6W2uhfDcQ/v-deo.html
Jeff always doing the next project i'm about to get started on i swear. It's UNCANNY. Hats off for working cement in Florida in May/June. Brutal!
truth is I did it a few weeks ago. but I like to have video inventory because life happens and I refuse to ever miss a weekly upload. Cheers!
Thanks man. I've been looking at a bunch of videos all of them make. It seem like you have to pour each bag at the same time. Now I really feel like I can make a 40×10 slab. Without getting ripped off.
Definitely buy or rent a mixer. 40x10 is a ton of bags. We’re soon to finish an 80x12 area in phases. I was quoted 10-14k and we’ll have it done for $2500 with materials and 4-5 days of solo work.
You e helped me with SO MANY remodeling projects, Jeff! But I would have put the mixing bin down in the concrete hole, so any spills would land in the sidewalk area
nice! Cheers josie!
You definitely inspired me to try some curved radius sidewalks at my house. I'm also determined to use hardware store materials, already cut to width. I've tried to think of something bendy, yet able to stake down...and I want the top to be at the top grade so I can screed material and make it level-ish. I'm going to try some synthetic decking for broad curves, which it should bend no problem...and maybe use a hair dryer to heat it up where curves need to be tighter. The only other thing I can think of is PVC boards, but they are thin and I'd probably have to use short screws.
I did exactly what u did with the aluminum flashing yet i had to rent a small cement mixer because since the texas heat and my area was an 3ft wide by 12ft long. Love your videos.
Nice work!
Rhe flashing worked great. Ive used 1/4" masonite for curves. You can cut it to width & still use the top for screeding. Just another option.
NIce job, only thing I might have done differently is using some of that same expansion joint or even siding, which are very flexible as your form for the curve and then set the level on the form with the driveway, for a cleaner look.
I saw those few bags and I said I'd like to see that trick. Everything you talked about was brilliant. I bought a diamond 8 1/2 " blade for a circular saw and curved all my corners to prevent crackibg down the road. Of course putting in expNsion joints is easy while its still soft after being broomed or finished. Good job!
cheers not easy on a hill when you are running out of daylight.
@@HomeRenoVisionDIY You have to start before noon, Jeff.
No doubt! I knew it would happen, & it did, I ran out of daylight this past Sunday! Duh!@@Kyle-ev4fk
Formwork use ply even for curve, then you can screed off top of form work for level surface.
no such thing as a level surface on a rounded hill. but thanks!
@@HomeRenoVisionDIYyou can make any surface level no matter what you’re on
@@markvickery5894 i think you missed the point, he doesnt want a level surface, he wanted the slope to follow the hill
Thank you Jeff!!! 🎉 Keep posting vids. There are 1000k likes on this video to the minor negative nellies who are just jealous of your good work.
Silicosis is no joke my man, other than that - she turned out beautiful! Cheers!
just hard to get silicosis with occasional exposure outside is all. Cheers!
Great job..Listen I have done plenty of beautiful DIYs .. and in today's world ...just doing anything yourself is at the top..I'm 64 and have seen hundreds of concrete mishaps by said professionals... great stuff is inside this mans mind heart and abilities..keep sharing....hate mail shouldn't be here ..welcome to the USA.. 22 years traveling around our globe..we here have such a sad outlook where life can easy..let's not be ugly.. sad folks need to go live in others countries outside this continent..Keep sharing Thanks
I ran the building materials department of Home Depot and one thing I did find out was, who came up with the idea of putting 60 lbs/80 lbs in a paper sack. Groceries don't work in a paper sack.
Yeah, I agree.
The Bob Ross of concrete
You are certainly one talented professional Remodeler. But I was kind of shocked how you made such a mess on the driveway when you could’ve been mixing on the yard? Also would’ve you needed some rebar drilled in to the existing concrete to secure it to the other slabs and maybe even a little bit of wire mesh to lay down?? Thanks for the video.
Last year my wife and I tackled our first cement slab in our pump house.
Our used buy ($200 electric cement mixer) was perfect for the job. We aced our project. Cost us a whole $50 versus hiring a contractor who would have probably charged a $500 min flat fee. To all the women out there... start relying on yourselves... we can (easily) do these jobs. It's not rocket science. Don't be intimidated by tasks ... just do it!
Thx for the tips Jeff.
And thx to the cement pros here for bringing the rebar enforcement between the two. Will do!!
LOL! Look at the mess you did to your driveway and road! Your neighbours will be pissed!😂
no worries man. I washed it all up.
I appreciate your video, took the anxiety away…
Jeff that is so ingenious. Thanks for your time and intuitive DIY videos. This will help me with my next slab pour.
Glad to help, just be careful of the edge of that aluminum. it's sharp!
No shit! Not a wise choice of material to say the least!@@HomeRenoVisionDIY
Man I went crazy a couple years ago around my backyard and layed a bunch of concrete here there and anywhere I could. Probably went through 2-3 hundred 60# bags. I tried all kinds of various ways to form the curved edges I needed, and just basically followed no rules whatsoever... except no dry pour used. Every single bit of concrete I laid still lioks 100% awesome. I've gotten tons of compliments and have had guests ask "Who did the creative pouring out there"😂😂. It was very therapeutic and alot of fun. I'm getting ready to go again too, as I'm fixing to do a 20x20 pad that I'm going to install a carport on in the woods for my tractor and lawn mower and such. I prefer to do things myself and I don't worry about what the Pros recommend as that usually entails spending much more money than I want. Call me captain half ass, but I been doing stuff like that for decades and I think it's a much smarter way for a broke fool like myself. Great video buddy!!
I’m no expert ……… I see you are no expert
But it never stopped me either LoL 😂 👍
good enough for the girls I go out with. Cheers!
Im near the Canadian border.
And I’m trying to extend a concrete pad so I can build a larger shed. And after I dig about 2 ‘ I hit granite, quartz or some other kind of stone.
So to get it level I have to build pour concrete right above the highest peak of stone or take pic axe and chip away until it is flat.
I’ll just pour concrete to level it and get a flat surface. I guess this good because I never have to worry settling
The next homeowner will drive over the thin slab to deliver appliances to the front door! That will crack into pieces! Never underestimate the weight bearing of future activity. Go 3 1/2" minimum along any driveway. A long striking tool like a 2" x 4" x 8' will help level the surface all the way across. Otherwise, you are pulling and pushing around concrete too much. Increasing the chance for low spots creating puddles when it rains. FYI. I am 63, been there, done that.
Some people are talking about using rebar. Do you have to use rebar?
LOVE this!! It's the best video I've watched (I've watch A LOT for the past couple of months) with great detail and lots of clear explanations. Thank you SO much from this DIYer. 😊👍
Thanks for a great tutorial. I have no idea how to do this but you make it look easy.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you so much for this video. You explain everything perfectly for a newbie like me. Greatly appreciated! Thank you!
PVC trim board from azek works great for curves, just super pricey. Lauan plywood is a good option too.
Price isn't that big a deal when you can re use the pvc multiple times.
Good job and effort. 34 years under my belt. Finisher for life
Well done mate, the flashing worked well. The expansion joint I allow it sit above the finished concrete and then cut it with stanley knife. Works quite well and avoids any trip hazards.
Makes no sense to leave the expansion joint high and then have to cut it off later. I'd love to see how nicely finished that expansion joint looked after you hacked it off.
This is a great video in that it shows its not that hard to do just a simple little pour and once try it out for yourself you can then start to build off of that experience
So the expansion joint that I used was in a roll and has a removable strip on it so after you pour the concrete you remove the perforated strip from the top to leave like 2 CM gap that you can fill with an acoustic sealant!
Jeff. Do you want to come to Binghamton NY to help with my slab?
@@AJDIYNetwork was not expecting to read the name of the town I came from in a random comment reply. What's up, cousin.
@@antgrantrant lol! Love when random stuff happens!
When I make a curve in my form. I use mdf 1x4. It bends and you can screed it with a 2x4 over the top and get the surface flat before you float the surface and cut the edge.
Nice Vid, I would advise most to avoid those gradual pointy corners. they almost always crack, especially if there is no wire in the concrete.
Yep, I have a slightly curved driveway, and where it meets the sidewalk (the slightly pointy piece) cracked after only a few months, and it has rebar.
If you have to have a point, make it way thicker in that area to support it
You are awesome. I enjoy watching all your videos. You have a true follower. Keep up the the awesome work you do I've learned so much from you thank you and bless you.
I get that this is not your expert grade job so I’m ignoring some of the shortcoming of this slab. It’ll do the job of a walkway fine enough I hope. I mainly want to point out a technique issue that costs you no time or effort and increases the material strength a lot.
If you need to adjust the grade of your work it’s best to scoop the mud (use your trowel end like a shovel or have a mate nearby with a tool) so you are placing a homogenous mix of mud in the low area (not a segregation of sand and bleed water). Pushing the concrete around that much with a trowel, especially with as much bleed water as he had is making the surface considerably weaker in my opinion.
great tip my man. Appreciate it. Cheers! Never stop learning!!!
Jeff, I Love how you take people’s suggestions like a champ. Lol most people get so butt hurt because they think they know everything and their way is the right way always. My attitude has always been to be open to never stop learning new things. Btw you are my go-to for everything I work on in my house. I needed to learn how to do something the other day and so I pulled up your UA-cam and watched the video. Learned what I needed to know. Later I called my brother and asked him his opinion how how to do it and he said he wasn’t sure and without knowing I follow you he sent me a video of you . Hahah how funny is that. Can’t believe him and I watch the same person on UA-cam out of all the people on here. Pretty cool. Thanks for all the details in the videos . Very helpful!
That flashing form was 'genius' :)
I've been watching your videos for years... Never get tired of learning. Thank You!!
Love watching you man but this looks like your first concrete pour lol
actually my third. LOL one of these days I will have the time to get it right. Cheers!
I've been watching a lot of videos on diy sidewalks lately. Stumbled across your video. Very well made video, your comments and suggestions were nonstop, you kept the video moving, all while explaining everything you were doing and why you were doing it! 26 and a half minute video and I couldnt stop watching! Only thing is I wish you would have shown the final product a little more!
Overall, a terrific 10 out of 10 video. I really enjoyed it and will check out your other videos!
Hell of the fight that was! Jeff survived in the end 😅 Concrete is no joke 😂
Perfect snowbird home slab pad! Nothing more needed! Thanks for doing this one for us DIY folk
Tap con for your expansion joint to keep it in place
Thanks for your time putting these videos together.
They've helped quite a bit, and I greatly appreciate it.
It’s good that this build is for a walk area with cars/trucks and all your going to want to add rebar and gravel underneath, but i’m sure you know that. Props to the work though i’m a huge fan of your daily videos!
I dont know about florida but we have suppliers that will readymix exactly what you need on site no matter how small a project without a small load charge
I'm so happy you're in Florida. You know, it's a change of pace.❤
So true!
6/10/23 I realize these video's are delayed by a few months, but I am hoping the Comment reading is current. I seriously hope that your properties in Ottawa are safe from the current wildfires burning all over Canada. As always a pleasure to watch and hear you teach. Glad you finally pulled out the knee pads! ( lol)
Thanks Jeff, shivering black bell thumbs up
Cheers and so far so good for our properties!
Always love your videos! Thank you. Learned great deal of things from you!
I love you Geoff but this is Horrible! Im an actual concreter and I thought this was a joke, like April fools but its not April. So many things wrong with this. Virtually every step stinks of amateur. 2 inches of concrete is not enough, 4 inches is the minimum. You poured it half inch lower than existing concrete!!! The biggest no no of all, A perfect toe catcher, that would get ripped up if it was on government land. That curve you tried to blend into driveway... will snap off in about six months, no steel, no dowels into existing, no edge thickening so rain will undermine it. You only need expansion when its between concrete not up against so thats ugly and unnecessary. Great channel honestly, but pouring concrete for the average homeowner is a terrible idea. Its harder and more expensive to pull it out than it is to put it in, cheers.
It is not horrible. it is DIY. Do you see a pump truck and a bunch of finishers. No.
If you are a professional watching this channel we don't need your opinion.
maybe, but as a proc concreter you know damn well nobody is going to even take a call for a project this size. I don't do concrete, but I had to do it. now it is done. looks decent. which was my goal. and BTW i backed over the tip with the truck and guess what no crack. just saying.
Congratulations on your new property / forever home. Can’t wait to see the transformation of the new property and the new house being built.
Love these concrete videos Jeff! I look forward to seeing you partner with someone to pour a house or cabin. That'll be epic!
Also - awesome music variations!
11:45 I like to throw some concrete in a bucket of measured water and use a heavy duty paint paddle to stir it up
we will see! Cheers Justin!
Looks good, sounds great! I want to put concrete in the dumb strip between my sidewalk and street eventually, or maybe something else. But this was helpful in understanding how that could happen
Nice job however, you should have used some 1' rebar pieces and drilled a few holes in the existing slab sides to prevent the new concrete slab from settling over time due to water run off which undercuts the dirt under the slab. Common problem in Florida with torrential rain and run off.
Yes sir, I was hoping someone caught it!
This guy is a legend. If he told me, hey im gving one of my subscribers a complete remodel. Sign me up.
Hmm, why you are not using rebars/reinforcing mesh? Wont this crack?
Doesn't all concrete crack?
@@scottmattern482 No.
this is florida. no winter no reason to crack. Cheers!
Gotcha... when you DIY have a full construction crew to help you plus all the heavy equipment you need.
Thanks Jeff for another great video - the sheet metal for the curve is a great idea !
Cheers!
The sheet metal was probably the worst part of the whole video. Too bad they don't sell it in three-foot wide rolls.
Love the Chicago Cubs flag flying in the background
Forgot to mention a leveler.. Not sure about the aluminum flashing you used, just because of waviness between the stakes and leveling purpose.. I would have used the long thinner strip of wood that you can bend and stake plus base your level height (grade) off of with some string (must have a leveler to do this).. That way once you have the level (grade) height you desire from the top of the wood, you can screed the surface from one side to the other using the wood and the existing driveway as a guide to get it completely flat, then optional to bull float, edge it and follow up with troweling it. Just food for thought
Always put water in first,
I might have missed it but why no rebar?
Now you have to do a dry pored concrete video to be a trendy UA-camr! Seriously though , I’ed like to know the limitations and drawbacks to this method or if it is just a BS Internet trend. Thanks for the video!
I was looking for someone to make this comment ;)
Coming soon!
I'm a little older DIY, and hand mixing is ok with 10 bags or less, but get over twenty bags and I'm using a mixer. The preferred mix is the mud mixer it's worth the $100 rental fee per day.
You just do it all. Thanks for all the instructional videos. You are a legend!
Glad to help
10:12
“it’s about 30 seconds of city water pressure” 😂😂😂
This was fun, really good lessons to be learned. And it makes for good engagement.
Cheers Caleb!
Not sure but that looks a little shallow? And I never saw you tamp the ground or add any crushed stone? Is this because it’s Florida… no freeze?
Imagine raining after u pour everything. 😂
Rain will actually strengthen new concrete. The only concern is that it is already set up hard enough so the rain won't put dimples in it.
Always, use a tarp under your pan. I like using the flexible flashing with spikes deep enough. With screws.