Dry Pour Concrete | Better than Wet?

[@AprilWilkerson]

Save 50% on your system, plus a free indoor security camera and your first month is free when you sign up for Core Monitoring. Visit SimpliSafe.com/april to customize yours! Try SimpliSafe risk-free. If you don’t love it, return it for a full refund within 60 days.”

[@rogermccaslin5963]

I was looking at dry pour videos a couple of months ago for a small project and I came across a video from a guy named Tyler Ley. He's a professor at Oklahoma State. He did some work with dry pour that shows it is not nearly as good as conventional wet pouring. His conclusion is yes, it's okay for small, nonstructural projects but that there are significant drawbacks to dry pour. I would encourage anyone thinking about this application to look him up.

[@stevecarney6750]

My wife and made dry pour drive way . Works fine, looks great no cracks 2 years in will be adding to it this year . Hopefully get all the way to the street. The sections we added on last year we mixed from scratch 3 2 1 ratio. A lot cheaper than buying quickcrete or other prepackaged concrete.nice job 😊

[@AprilWilkerson]

Awesome! I'm so glad it's worked out for you. Thanks for Sharing and for watching.

[@luisotero2632]

That’s brave! I’d never go dry pour-way too likely to crack and weaken. Wet pours hold up so much better overtime

[@MLFranklin]

This is the first time I've ever heard of dry pour. Thank you for an interesting and educational demo of the product.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching.

[@aaronlee3955]

Great video. I really appreciate the tips about the edging and joints (pressing down firmly instead of dragging). I've done a couple dry pours and they've held up well so far

[@AprilWilkerson]

Awesome! I'm glad you found it useful. Thanks for watching.

[@justinermiger6734]

I want to thank you for all the knowledge you give us tubers!! You are awesome! Hats Off to you.

[@AprilWilkerson]

I appreciate that! Thanks for watching.

[@Graveltrucking]

The real question is how was the cement burns that night lol. Legs burning, between your toes and bottom of your feet. Will be curious to see how well your slab holds up. I've mixed concrete in wheel barrows, excavator and skid steer buckets. My dad used to have a 4 yard mixer truck. Ive mixed enough concrete to know its a lot of work.

[@mattgirgenti3595]

After following Cajun County Living on YT, I decide to do a few dry pours. Followed their process to a T and it has been fantastic. All the slabs have held up very well, with 3 of them used under a 10k pound RV! (proper depth and rebar of course). I totally agree with your suggestion about pressing versus dragging the trowel. Thanks for posting and the slab looks great!

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thanks! And thank you for Sharing your experience and for watching.

[@Michael-bv1nq]

Question, when you made those lines across the middle once you were done did you use a roller or broom to make it look smoother or just added water? Looks Great excellent job!

[@rotaryperfection]

I did a dry pour myself April 18months ago. You did a great job by making sure you waited long enough to pull the forms. Kwik Create works really well with this method. Some other brands not so much. Also adding more water than than neccessary also keeps it from being as brittle. Most people don't add enough and then don't wait long enough to put it into service.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thanks for sharing your experience, glad to hear yours is holding up well! Thanks for watching.

[@rotaryperfection]

@AprilWilkerson Thx for the response. Been subbed to your channel probably 6yrs or so. I just don't comment much, but I am waiting on that RV park video series because I live in west Texas and we have 3 acres ourselves. I have room for about 28 spots so your videos will be very helpful since I'm a DIYer myself.

[@paulkramer4176]

Dry Pour works for some situations. I've used it in deep holes with metal pipes (solar panel masts) and it has been fine. If the hole is only a little larger than the pipe, (say if the pipe is 8" and the hole is 10 or 12", then pouring wet concrete is not so easy. It can easily jamb up in some spot. Dry on the other hand will all get down to the bottom, (especially after you add water). But there is no doubt that structurally it is weaker. Even in a sidewalk, I'd not consider it. Too easy to do wet concrete and much less likely to crack if something heavier goes over it.

[@m.o.f8720]

Thanks April. Been enjoying your channel for some time. Turns out Pierced Oak is just a few miles from me. I tried updating Google maps with the address you put un Instagram. The category is a bit wonky as they don't have one for RV Park per se. Good luck with the venture. I agree with most comments and your takeaway that there are very good but very specific applications for dry pour. Back 59 years ago almost had a geart attack getting behind a wet pour that was only to put a smooth work surface on an exiting dirt floor of an old shop. Not structural. Pathways, simple storage shed floors (like under existing mobile homes) and drainage contol also seem ideal. All the best👍👍💪✌️😎

[@AprilWilkerson]

Yes, Google Maps hasn't updated yet but should soon I'd think. Thanks for watching.

[@MrJustDIY]

It turned out great for what you needed it for. Have A Merry Christmas April

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thank you so much! Merry Christmas to you as well!

[@MrJustDIY]

@@AprilWilkerson You're welcome and thank you

[@mleachx1]

You also dont need to press you edger into it, it will work the same way as a float if you run it back and forth and form edges just like when wet. Another trick is not to pull your forms up when removing. They will have a tendency to chip your edges. Use a hammer to smack them left or right so they break from the crust that is formed and then try pulling them away from the slab instead of up. Your slab is not too big for dry. The issue is screeding, which soon becomes as labor intensive as mixing for wet pour, because to get a good finish with dry as you found out you need to screed in small slow motions.

[@Toni_Snark]

She said the edger did not work the same way when dry. She tried both ways.

[@mleachx1]

​@@Toni_Snarknot sure what she was doing but it works the same way for me wet or dry

[@ColeSpolaric]

It also helps to live somewhere that rarely freezes

[@robertr4193]

Interesting process. I have not seen anything quite like this being done. I have seen where people have set posts in concrete using a dry pour in to the hole and add water but have not seen a slab being done like this.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thanks! I'm glad you found it interesting. I think it will be fine for what I need. Thanks for watching.

[@dagwood1327]

I worked as a form carpenter and form watcher during the early 80’s on locks and dams. Concrete needs to be poured as dry as possible. And at the correct temperature. It dries to the hardest under water and continues to harden for 100 years. I have never poured it dry except for mailbox posts. This method makes a lot of sense for pouring bags.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Yes, I think it's perfect for what I needed. Thanks for Sharing and for watching.

[@johnlee7085]

The other thing those concrete pours needed was vibration to consolidate the aggregate and remove the air pockets. This never happens with dry pours, which is why it is inevitably weaker.

[@zedwpd]

@@johnlee7085 You can vibrate the forms on the dry pour.

[@johnlee7085]

@zedwpd While it is possible to vibrate the forms on the dry pour, that’s not a standard practice. It would also be irrelevant for two reasons: 1. In virtually all compaction processes, there is a need for some moisture to achieve maximum compaction. 2. Even if you could achieve maximum compaction, vibrating the forms would only compact the outer few inches of concrete leaving the vast majority of the slab with inherent weakness.

[@kristinmeyer489]

I am so glad I found your channel!!!!!!

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thanks so much! I'm glad you're enjoying it!

[@4legdfishman]

Very interesting. I do have a few smaller projects that I'd like to try this on. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge on this. I'm looking forward to your 1 and 2 year reviews and results.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Awesome! Thanks for watching.

[@weldo1948]

Watched and loved your videos! Because I started out working for my father’s small construction company, I really appreciated your versatility. However, after several decades of extensive concrete construction including some research and many professional certifications, I would recommend against dry pour concreting. It will fail.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thanks! I think it will be fine for what I want it for. Thanks for watching.

[@louroberts5567]

Good morning, April! This was pretty cool! It takes out that back breaking step of mixing it in a wheelbarrow or concrete tub. But, I'm hard headed old school and would most likely still do it the hard way😄. I really like your finished product with the posts and rails. They look AMAZING! Thanks for sharing ANOTHER great video! Have a wonderful week. God bless.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it. Have a great week too!

[@RS-Amsterdam]

Looks promising and job well done, but two questions arise 1. How much water do you need to poor on to it, when do you know it is enough ? 2. How does the price relate to wet concrete for the same area. Thanks for sharing

[@johnlee7085]

You need at least as much water as if you were mixing for a wet pour; about a gallon per bag. You probably aren’t going to measure the water, so error on the side of over hydrating. You really can’t give it too much water. You can add too much water if you’re mixing it with the dry concrete, but once it’s placed, the concrete could be completely submerged and it won’t weaken the concrete. In fact, the concrete will be stronger. You use basically the same amount of concrete, so it’s no different than the cost for mixing the bags. Bagged concrete is a lot more expensive for a big job.

[@kbrown8864]

Hello April, I accidentally came across your KZbin channel. I am in awe of your talent and the way you create your projects. I love it!!💜

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad you found my channel. I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for watching.

[@GaryBickford]

It would be interesting to try compressing the dry material before and after screeding. I syaiect it would be stronger

[@johnlee7085]

It would. The fact that she can press in the edger and jointer shows how unconsolidated drypour material is.

[@andrewpinson1268]

I was very intrigued when I first saw videos of dry pour come out about a year ago. After seeing some of the after investigations by engineer types I would probably not try it except for light use. No construction overhead. Just don't think it is worth it. But I will keep searching for ways to do this and make it strong.

[@johnlee7085]

A lack of hydration can weaken a dry pour, but the guaranteed weakness comes from the lack of compaction. In a wet pour, part of the process involves vibrating the mix so that the parts settle together and the air bubbles come out. That never happens with dry pour leaving lots of voids that will be prone to breaking. Vibration is usually the way to consolidate aggregate, but I think you would have a bigger dust problem if you tried that.

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Thanks for sharing with us April, looking forward to a 6 month and a 1 year review on the dry pour. Totally agree with the long britches and top covering too. Stay safe and keep up the great videos, the building looks great too. Fred.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thanks for watching Fred! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@roncoffey]

When will the RV park be opened? We live in NW. Arkansas and go through that are with our RV occasionally.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Hopefully just a few weeks away. Stay tuned for Official Opening Announcement but you can go online at piercedoakrvpark.com/ to check it out and see Bookings. We hope to see you soon. Thanks for watching.

[@dpmesse]

I dunno if I'd use it for a big building foundation... but a light duty support pad, plain patio or maybe a storage shed slab.... those don't see high load at all.... as long as you give it time to soak up the water and set.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Yes, mine will only have foot traffic going into building. Thanks for watching.

[@johnlee7085]

A lack of hydration can weaken a dry pour, but the guaranteed weakness comes from the lack of compaction. In a wet pour, part of the process involves vibrating the mix so that the parts settle together and the air bubbles come out. That never happens with dry pour leaving lots of voids that will be prone to breaking.

[@jimand9532]

I found this for calculating how much concrete you need.. Mud mixer has a calculator on their website I'm debating dry pour for a road runway down our hill to the lake 60" on center instead of spinning tires taking my Pontoon up in the spring

[@mwb6772]

Love it!!! Been following you for years. Can't wait to get a fifth wheel and check out your RV Park in the not so distant future. Blessings!!!

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you're enjoying the channel and look forward to seeing you at the park! Thanks for watching.

[@fdort3971]

@AprilWilkerson I didn't even know dry was a thing. Now I wonder if you laid sections of hard pvc hose (can't remove after) with small holes drilled equally on top and sides, on the bottom...turn water on low so it trickles. Then do the dry pour technique...I wonder what the results would be? Thanks for experimenting. Looking forward to seeing the park videos.

[@johnlee7085]

If the water is flowing during the hydration process, it will most likely carry away the cement (not to be confused with concrete) and finest sand leaving a weak, gravelly mix.

[@fdort3971]

@johnlee7085 thanks

[@carolinecaroline2264]

Happy to see you wear a mask.

[@uoobwatcher]

I’ve tried two different projects with the dry pour method. One turned out great but the other was definitely so subpar that I finished it with wet pour. Never again.

[@thematthewlondon]

i ran across a Wood Shed pint glass in my local thrift store the other week in Ft. Smith, AR.. i mean i'm not THAT far from you but still fun to run in to in the wild

[@AprilWilkerson]

Awesome! Thanks for Sharing that and for watching.

[@BearCreekWoodworking]

I like how you are always trying something new and learn from the experience April! Plus, it’s just fun trying new things. 😃👍👏

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thanks! This was such a fun project and perfect for what I need. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@benjoseph260]

Excellent video and the results look well worth the effort. I think there is a reluctance to accept this as a light-duty method simply because it is non-standard. I think, too, that many that fail are because they don't follow a proper methodology then blame it on the dry pour. I'm betting that you'll provide a positive outcome even two years from now. Thanks!

[@AprilWilkerson]

I agree. I think this method will work well for what I need. Thanks for watching.

[@richardbenson4750]

Why use heavy duty materials if you just want a light duty solution? It's wasting both time and money.

[@benjoseph260]

@@richardbenson4750 Given the ease of application and the relatively inexpensive cost to resource, it seems reasonable to use "heavy duty materials" that will exceed requirements. You're definitely not wasting time as this solution can be performed on a DIY schedule, and it is likely a comparable cost to other solutions. April did a great job pointing this out and it is commendable that she left results open with a promise to revisit over the course of the next two years. Relax, and give it a chance.

[@darrellblair5818]

I did a dry pour slab that holds 4 cords of firewood. It is holding up just fine under the weight. It is a great method for small projects. April, you did a great job.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Awesome! Yes, for my needs this will be fine. Thanks for watching.

[@kentfellers]

I want to put in new wood steps to a front porch. (about 6 ft wide) Do you think a dry pour concrete would be strong enough for a footer on ground level for that first step to land on?

[@frankcherry3810]

Sandy finish- perfect for tile

[@PatrickHoodDaniel]

I am happy you are experimenting with this idea. You are brave to put this on display in public seeing the sentiment of the comments, but I think experimentation is important. The patio looks excellent and can't wait to see the updates. I wonder if rain over time will make it even stronger. I have an architect and urban design background and we would use the slump test to determine the success of the concrete. These are tests for applications with heavier use. I don't believe that the method you are using is abberant since there will only be foot traffic. Thanks for sharing... Seriously!

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thank you! Yes, with only foot traffic, I think this will be fine. Thanks for watching.

[@johnlee7085]

Only light foot traffic - except where it’s the foundation for the columns.

[@AdelaideInvigilation]

I used dry pour for posts its less mess, quicker and within 5 days is solid as concrete

[@genecarden780]

Nope. Dry pour will never be as solid as properly mixed concrete. That’s a fact

[@AdelaideInvigilation]

@@genecarden780 had the local university test it and the results between the different versions were comparable

[@genecarden780]

@ 😂😂😂😂😂😂 of course you did😂😂😂😂😂😂 There is one way that is possible. The wet mix was incorrectly mixed. What was the aggregate? What was the concrete to sand ratio? Were there other additives? What was the water ratio? What was the slump rate? Actually there are 2 ways. If you use a low quality mix. One that is destined to fail in anything other than fence posts. What was the compressive strength of each sample?What was the tensile strength of each sample? What was the size of each sample? How many samples were tested? These are very common details of testing we have to pass routinely. We routinely have to test core samples. I can guarantee dry pour WILL NOT PASS THESE TESTS.

[@johnlee7085]

No one seriously tests the tensile strength of concrete, and it wouldn’t be possible to do a slump test on a dry pour. TBS, the only way a dry pour is as strong as a wet pour is if the wet pour was placed equally poorly. There’s no way to compact the dry pour so it will inevitably be weaker unless the wet pour isn’t vibrated correctly.

[@genecarden780]

@ There are actually 2 common types of tensile strength testing of concrete. (So yeah people do test concrete tensile strength ). Splitting tensile strength and bending tensile strength. Both methods require calculating tensile strength from the force required to cause the concrete to split. There is also direct tensile strength testing but that is almost never used, due to difficulty. And as for the slump rate, I was obviously referring to the wet pour that I assumed he submitted for his claimed “testing comparison” for any meaningful testing comparison you would have to submit 2 samples made up of exactly the same dry mix ( before hydrating one) so the slump rate of the wet mix is very relative.

[@kellywilkins8043]

Cool to watch and consider! Thanks April!

[@AprilWilkerson]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching.

[@cfon-mn8ij]

I did a dry pour last year. I did the same length and width as yours. Its still looks nice. Yours will be fine.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thanks! Yes, for what I need, this will be fine. Glad to hear that yours is still going strong. Thanks for watching.

[@VuHung-p2t]

Thank you ❤❤

[@AprilWilkerson]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@frankcherry3810]

Do you really want to connect the new slab with the old? Cracking potential?

[@johnlee7085]

It’s generally done to prevent differential settlement and trip hazards. The rebar and columns are the two most likely places for failure.

[@wallaceloper637]

Been thinking about it. just saying

[@AprilWilkerson]

It was a fun project and will work fine for what I want it for. Thanks for watching.

[@VuHung-p2t]

Thank you ❤❤

[@AprilWilkerson]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@throttlebottle5906]

dry pouring anything but fence posts with fast set mix and plunging rebar/rod to mix it, is pretty silly and failure prone, even if for light traffic. while it may work in southern humid climates, that would be a disaster in most everywhere else, cold/freezing, dry.

[@pteddie6965]

I enjoyed this one, April. I have watched a few makers on KZbin, but you made me understand the process much better. BTW: I admire how well you 'talk to the camera'. For the many years that I've watched you, I've always thought that you were speaking to me and only me. Don't burst my bubble and tell me that you were talking to someone else in addition to me. Happy Sunday.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the video, Happy Sunday to you too!

[@robertwagner3033]

The dry pour will not withstand the 4 seasons in the Chicago ares. That is why we add water to make sure the final product goes through the chemical process of hydration.

[@zedwpd]

Anecdotal or have you tried it?

[@kinnybingman8666]

To me that looks like more work than just doing it the right way. Also when you mix concrete in a mixer there's a thing about timing that makes the concrete stronger. It's actually a chemical reaction as you're mixing and then you put it out before the flashpoint starts to begin. What happens then is it generates its own heat and then it'll dry no matter how much water you put on it because it's a chemical reaction. So the key there is timing

[@HarmanRobotics]

You don't want concrete to "dry", you want it to cure. It is a chemical process that requires water, when you let concrete "dry" you lose the water that the chemical process requires. This is why it is best to keep concrete from drying out during the first week of curing.

[@Toni_Snark]

There is no one "right" way.

[@kenking5870]

Did you use the same amount of bags if you had done a traditional slab?

[@johnlee7085]

Yes. There’s no volume difference between wet and dry.

[@robert.brokaw3829]

Nice content. Stay safe.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.

[@Ryzen7-x9h]

Diving into cement dust like that was kind of wild, all the routine cares have gone! concrete is not an easy job, unless someone is fit and loves hard work they should give it up.

[@HagiWoodworks]

Was this cheaper than calling a truck?

[@johnlee7085]

A full truck will always be cheaper. Even a short load is probably cheaper than bagged, which is about $300 per yard.

[@dscottpeterson6653]

why do you call it angle iron? Isn't angle A36 steel?

[@robadair]

Yes, but steel angles are commonly called angle iron in laymen's terms

[@richardbenson4750]

The obvious answer from a chemistry and physics perspective is that "wet pour" is immensely stronger and is also easier to do. The large difference in performance between the two is because with "wet pour" the ingredients are mixed throughout and will uniformly harden, but with "dry pour" only to top is kind of mixed.

[@johnlee7085]

Right conclusion. Wrong analysis. Tests have shown that the entire slab can be sufficiently hydrated for hardening. It isn’t always, but it can be. The real problem comes from not agitating the mix after it is placed resulting in a lack of consolidation.

[@beeteavoice823]

I'm creating an area for my garbage and recycle bins to be stored. Can't wait to try the method! As always your stories are helpful and fun to watch.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Awesome! Glad you enjoyed the video and found it useful. Thanks for watching.

[@mleachx1]

I have 2 dry pour pads that are 2 years old. I did them dirty just to annoy dry pour haters. dumped it straight on top of grass, no gravel base and added no rebar. They are right next to my professionally poured patio. one has my hose reel setup on it and gets water all the time and the other gets walked on daily by my dogs and family. there are no cracks or heaving or shifting after 2 years of below zero winters and rain and snow. I followed cajun's instructions and made sure you soak them enough that water made it thru the whole 4in slab and so far they are doing better than my wet poured slab, they just dont look as nice as a wet pour broom finish.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Awesome! Yes, for my needs, this slab will do fine. Thanks for Sharing your experience and for watching.

[@mitchmiller1429]

I’ve watch several videos where dry pour is compared to traditional wet pour. Wet pour is stronger and more durable. If you’re going to the effort to pour concrete, why not do traditional wet pour? It will be less effort in the long run when you have to replace it 4 or 5 years down the road.

[@mleachx1]

​@@mitchmiller1429because it's not less effort. Maybe you're making the assumption that everyone doing a dry pour has a mixer sitting around or the ability to rent one with a way to transport it. Remove that assumption and you're left with that person mixing by hand. I do a lot of diy, mixed my deck footers in my wheelbarrow but my first dry pour was 18 bags and I'm not interested in mixing 18 bags by hand. Doing that dry pour for a walkway was way easier, less rush and will hold up just as long as a wet pour for my purposes.

[@Toni_Snark]

@@mitchmiller1429 Have you done a wet pour or just watched the videos? 😂

[@mitchmiller1429]

@@Toni_Snark yes, I have poured a dry pour entrance into my greenhouse. It is 2 years old and I hope it lasts, but it definitely looks more grainy and porous than my traditional sidewalks.

[@lucianprescott8357]

Regardless of a wet or dry option, the most important thing is the PPE. Respirators, Clothing are very important, however simple things like rubbing yourself down with a thick lotion prior to getting dressed will help negate the effects of the concrete. I had a neighbor who worked with concrete for 30 years. At 50, he looked like a 90 year old lizard. He died of cancer at 63 what was determined to be his body absorbing the chemical agents from concrete. Working with concrete is necessary and can be rewarding, however a lot of people treat it like they’re working with dirt. The stuff is loaded with chemicals, so treat it as such.

[@paulfendler8430]

I'd only ever dry pour a fence post and dump a bucket of water on top when the post is set in it's finished position.

[@frankcherry3810]

Is there a special bag to get?

[@shawnr771]

Nope regular concrete works. Although I recommend watering it for several days everytime it looks dry. And let it sit for 3 or 4 before pulling the forms. I have made several sidewalks like this. The people I did them for dont drive tanks on them. Rough is better than smooth for traction.

[@TimothyBrewer]

April I have a small cabin in NW Missouri, you are welcome anytime to come up and help me with several project....when you don't have anything else to do. LOL love your videos!

[@oakleywindowcleaning]

And what are these ‘projects’? Hunt the trouser snake?

[@greggb8112]

Mike Haduck has a comparison about wet vs dry. Choose wisely.

[@AprilWilkerson]

For my needs of only foot traffic, it will be fine. If heavier traffic, definitely wet pour. Thanks for watching.

[@jamesweil3470]

The one mistake I saw, there is no expansion joint between the existing concrete and the dry pour. 3 or 4 inexperienced people could have poured that slab in ½ the it took you to dry pour. You ended up doing everything that is required for a wet pour. yes, you have to move a little faster. that sab would have been perfect for a first time wet pour. Just try it.

[@noshsreqd]

Probably fine without the expansion joint since it is uncontained on the other three sides and not a big slab. I agree though the wet pour is better in many ways.

[@johnlee7085]

An expansion joint would isolate the outer pour, which is acceptable in some instances. In her case, the rebar connects the two slabs which prevents differential settling and reduces the probability of a trip hazard.

[@Majoofi]

Not only is dry pour much much weaker, it's also much more work.

[@ronaldgalam5088]

just like pouring the sidewalk 3 times. waste of time . done in hours not days

[@theJonnymac]

assuming we aren't using a truck for concrete how is it more work.

[@Toni_Snark]

It's not more work, it's different work.

[@jamesadams893]

Answer to title no dry pour is much worse than wet

[@zedwpd]

No, the answer is it depends, and she talked through the different projects it's better for a DIYer.

[@cassantos1319]

It's going to be tooop!😊👏👏👏 💖🌹

[@AprilWilkerson]

So glad you liked it!

[@mikecurtis2585]

Never tried that way. How do you think that would work for a handicap ramp?

[@StoneE4]

There are very good reasons why in the thousands of years of using concrete this method has only sprung up in the last 10 or so years in the south of the US. Think about that long and hard before employing it - especially for a handicap ramp.

[@shawnr771]

No. Although I have used this method and will use it again. A ramp needs to be poured using the regular method. The top of the ramp is too thick and wont have proper compaction.

[@johnlee7085]

@shawnr771 You don’t know how thick the top of the ramp would be.

[@johnlee7085]

@mikecurtis2585 It would depend on the dimensions of the ramp. A handicap ramp shouldn’t see heavy loads so it might be okay.

[@mikecurtis2585]

@johnlee7085 Probably around 4" thick on top of a dirt and gravel ramp.

[@jaywood8296]

My sinuses are getting messed up just from watching this.

[@lilorbielilorbie2496]

Another plus for dry versus wet. Is on a small pour like yours. A concrete truck will bring you the amount needed for a small pour, but they will charge you more for the smaller amount. At least they do where I live.

[@arvoitus4649]

@aprilwilkerson The thumbnail for this video stresses me. I grew up in construction, and during the summer I would wear shorts while pouring slabs. I eventually developed the beginnings of concrete poisoning from the exposure to my legs. While dry pour doesn't have the same exposure, the moisture on your body from sweat can start the chemical reactions that will affect the skin. Cover up when handling concrete.

[@zedwpd]

So you just looked at the thumbnail and not the video. She addressed her clothing multiple times.

[@slaugh77ify]

I can't believe you show a picture for this video of you sitting bare legged in that cement! Do you not know what that does to skin?

[@rickyt3961]

wOw! that really came out pretty solid! nice job April👍🏾

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thanks! I'm pleased with it. Thanks for watching.

[@RCMServices]

They have done destructive testing and dry pour doesn't withstand anywhere close to the same pressure as mixed.

[@AprilWilkerson]

This will only be walked upon so very little stress. Thanks for watching.

[@johnlee7085]

Except for the columns supporting the roof. 6” isn’t much foundation even if it was good concrete.

[@Macca81]

This looks waaaaay slower and messier, and much more actual work with having to keep coming back to wet it down.

[@MaddMaxxWoodWorks]

April I was very surprised when I saw what you were going to do. Only in watching you would I believe that it was even possible. Great job. Thank you

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thank you! It was quite a learning curve, but a really fun project!

[@cooterpolluter]

Dry pour isn't a new method, it's just new to social media. Wet poured concrete all over the world has cracks in it. You nailed it when you said this is for light traffic applications. Anything bigger than a shed or a tiny home would probably need more strength. As a DIYer with a limited budget, I have been pouring all my concrete using this method. It works perfectly for my needs. I work alone so I need to be able to take my time and even spread the project out over 2 or 3 days. I'm thrilled with the results. People online need to learn to worry about themselves and their needs. If you don't like something, keep scrolling. Great job and thanks for this awesome video. It looks great.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thanks! Yes, I think this will be perfect for what I need. Thanks for Sharing and for watching.

[@johnlee7085]

Discussion is how we learn.

[@FredMcIntyre]

Nice job April! 😃👍🏼👊🏼

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thanks for watching!

[@Jones572]

Well done! Love how you think outside the box. Awesome!🤙🏾💯

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thanks! This project was a lot of fun. Thanks for watching.

[@DashaDmitrieva-ti3pb]

She's flawless, truly a work of art.

[@OriginalRaveParty]

The bots are out in force 😏

[@ronaldgalam5088]

stick to woodworking

[@hj8607]

Concretes appearance is secondary to the strength factor!!

[@aquatus1]

@@hj8607 Not for a footpath.

[@hj8607]

@@aquatus1 gravel makes a footpath (concrete is not needed)

[@johnmcgaheran3576]

Did concrete work for many years, never dry, and I have to say this doesn't look any easier. Seems far more finicky. Maybe just set in my ways.

[@StoneE4]

I don't think you're set in your ways... I think you gave a reasoned response based upon your own expertise.

[@Toni_Snark]

@@StoneE4 How is that a reasoned response? He just said it doesn't look any easier.

[@GlendaVrolijk]

The end job looks nice👌🏽

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thanks! I'm pleased with it. Thanks for watching.

[@carmenmiracle1251]

time will tell, show a review in 6 months then a year

[@MichaelBuilds]

I was so happy to see you do this! I’ve done several videos on this subject and the results are so surprising. And the added bonus… making the haters sooo angry 🤣

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! I think this will be fine for what I need. Thanks for watching.

[@frankcherry3810]

Nothing like concrete dust to tighten the skin! Haha

[@cowbizzle100]

Maker, KZbin/TV star and multiple business owner?! Let’s go!!!!

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thanks for watching. :)

[@gmel4967]

Hoping you do a follow up when it fails, BC it will. Usually the easy way of doing anything is just the lazy way.

[@AprilWilkerson]

It's just for foot traffic going in a building, nothing heavier. It will be fine for this. Thanks for watching.

[@leestebbins5051]

Why?

[@zedwpd]

She told you. She saw the method being used by others and wanted to try it for herself.

[@ryantran89]

Makes sense. KZbinr using the KZbin method.

[@markantinore6418]

It doesn’t make sense. I’m not a concrete guy, but that 4’ X whatever length slab is super manageable in a wet pour. Also, if this process is really only good for small projects, what’s the point? I dunno, not a fan. Good luck though!

[@mehill00]

If it’s good for small projects then people who do small projects can have another option. That would be the point.

[@markantinore6418]

@@mehill00 the point is that a small pour like this IS more than manageable. A novice can do this in a wet pour. Dry pour isn’t viable. If it was, concrete contractors would do it. April made content, nothing wrong with that, but it doesn’t make sense. End of discussion. Have a good evening!

[@mehill00]

@@markantinore6418 Concrete workers would never do dry. Professionals work fast and don’t want to come back and water a few times and they want to get the strongest most consistent results. It only makes sense in some limited cases for DIYers.

[@adamkwasnaza]

Curious about the amount of bags needed. If doing a dry pour did you find you needed more bags than doing a wet pour? I’m assuming when mixing the water add to the volume of concrete so lees actual concrete would be needed to fill the form

[@johnlee7085]

There’s no volumetric difference. The water is absorbed into the dry and results in a chemical reaction - which is also why she needed the lotion for the burns on her legs.

[@joelarson3528]

Keep that dust off your skin

[@johnlee7085]

Most people don’t know what a chemical burn is.

[@WillysPerformanceCycleCtr]

That’s a nice looking entry & walkway! It seems like concrete is always a lot of work, no matter how you do it… lol…. Thanks April, great job, please keep on building!

[@iainf6]

Well done April 😊

[@MisterReltec]

April, I just thought I’d let you know that KZbin unsubscribed me from your site. I started watching you years ago when you were still in your small garage. I hope they haven’t done this with many more people.

[@_Merica_USA]

Another Great Video 👍 Great content, keep up the great work!

[@AprilWilkerson]

Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@KaranDeuinva-x4f]

True elegance, just so right.

[@OriginalRaveParty]

The bots are out in force 😏

[@andrewiow6327]

Very clever wearing gloves to protect hands, but wearing shorts and then sitting in it , and yes I have been in building trade for 49 years so know what cement can do

[@AprilWilkerson]

I'm in Texas in extremely hot weather so wear shorts every day. I acknowledged I should have worn jeans. Thanks for watching.