BLOCKING UP A DOORWAY (Mike Haduck)

I block up a doorway to a basement, that is not needed anymore. All my videos are my ways and ideas, I always suggest anyone doing any type of work to consult professional help.
www.amazon.com/shop/mikehaduck

[@BGomez-tk7lu]

Might be weird, but I find watching these quite relaxing hahah

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks B, I appreciate it, mike

[@sikkinixxmc]

Me too.

[@kevindwyer6618]

Always the best masonry videos mike..

[@tradingthefuturemarkets4403]

So funny me too , the sounds of drill and sawing concrete just makes me smile !!

[@ralexlu]

So do i. Lol

[@brianbob7514]

I would like a no big deal shirt

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Brian, I hot to do that, thanks, mike

[@xanderzhong6163]

Hi Mike, all ur videos are relevant to me even the small jobs... Alex

[@Screch]

@@MikeHaduck Id buy it

[@cheshstyles]

@@MikeHaduck I would also be interested in purchasing a no big deal shirt. If it had like a cartoon mike haduck guy holding a block trowel, saying no big deal that would be....a big deal!

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks rel, that’s a good idea, mike

[@boris100ish]

Great content as ever Mike. Very informative. Love your “no big deal” way of working makes so much sense. Keep up the good work. All the best Pete.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Pete, I appreciate it, mike

[@SweSuf]

I'm not about to do any masonry work around my house, but should I ever have to I now know how to get it underway - your videos are wonderfully instructive! On T-shirts you should also add "If you want it to stick you have to wet it first!" and "That's old school."

[@MikeHaduck]

Thank SweSuf, I will have to think about that, Mike

[@tradingthefuturemarkets4403]

SweSuf ... sooo funny ! I’d totally buy those shirts

[@cheshstyles]

Awesome!

[@randykuhns4515]

I could sit and watch you work all day,..

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Randy, I guess I am on the right track then, thanks, Mike

[@hungry2hear]

Mike, I am always amazed at how quick and easily you get these jobs done all the while explaining in easy to understand layman's vernacular. The experience you have is a real plus in making this work "No Big Deal", that I know I am grateful for. Keep up the "strong work"! p.s. I have one of those 123yo stone foundations in PA that is great on the outside but beginning to see age on the inside of an (earth floor) unfinished basement. Yep, using a dehumidifier the last 12 years continuous. Thanks again!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Daub, Mike

[@MrVegasTube]

Love how you show it all. Every step. Thanks for great content. No big deal.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Nelson, I appreciate it, mike

[@danielmiller2977]

Man I love watching you. I learn so much! Thanks for all you do. A great teacher.

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks Daniel, I appreciate it, mike

[@cchiara420]

Being from Upstate NY I can completely understand everything you say about being from the N.E. My house was built in 1920 and has been in my family since. I found your videos when I encountered a waterfall in an old window in my basement after about 3 days of rain. I applied your knowledge to building up broken stone, putting in a new window and stopping the leak. Since then I have sealed up two windows, parged and patched almost all of the walls in my basement. I think I have used about 8 bags so far... It looks outstanding and my grandparents would be proud. Thank you Mike!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Chris, I appreciate hearing that, Mike

[@TheDansana]

Love watching the small jobs, Mike. There’s a level of detail in these that would get overlooked in a larger project.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Danny, mike

[@albertoramon226]

Mike thanks for the time you put in. You have a wealth of knowledge that can only be aquired with blood sweat and tears. Always take away useful notes for the library upstairs. Thanks again.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Alberto, mike

[@JimVincitore]

Great video! Very cool! THANK YOU! Keep the vids coming! My father, a construction worker ditch digger and cement mixer, filled our basement door in 50 years ago about 1950 after his drunk buddy fell in the hole. Ha Ha! They just threw some big boulders in the hole, then filled the rest in with dirt. It always leaked, they did not even take out the door. About 1990 my parents took out the door from the inside and cemented the wall, but it still leaked. About year 2010, I dug out some of the dirt from the outside down to the first step, the step was still solid. Then I cement plastered the doorway about three inches. It still leaked. Come to find out, the water was getting in the foundation about 5-10 feet away and running in some how. That finally stopped the leak when I plugged that hole. It's an old house, built about 1890.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Jim, Mike

[@JAMAEL89]

Thank you for making these videos. They help a novice like me feel less imitated. I’m a home owner on a budget and this help a great deal.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks JAMAEL, I appreciate hearing that, thanks , Mike

[@gino007able]

I wanted to thank you for the video about installing lintels. my dad learned masonry work from his dad (my grandfather). My grandfather was a stone mason from Italy. My dad used several 2" x 8" x 48" joists as lintels over 1 window and 2 doorways. from the weather the wooden lintels rotted out. when I was a boy I use to mix cement for my dad. we did it the old way using portland cement, lime, and sand. (1973). I installed 6 concrete lintels now it will pass the building code. lol

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Geno, I hear you, Mike

[@Bigskyguy56]

Thank you Mike for sharing your expertise, knowledge & thoughts with us. It is a pleasure to hear a tradesman , referring to the OLD WAYS. That is how I learned , THE OLD WAY. And I believe that the OLD WAY is the RIGHT WAY. Thanks again for sharing . Rick

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Rick, I appreciate the kind words, mike

[@frankflanagan4360]

Great video Mike, Thanks for posting!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Frank, mike

[@saviotoronto358]

you always toss in great nuggets of information while your swinging that trowl & mud around

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Savio, I appreciate it, mike

[@fringestream990]

Great point on the Metal rebar. Glad to see you’re still making videos, Mike. I enjoyed your old school method videos like the white wash videos.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Smitty, I appreciate it, mike

[@steve-nr3gn]

Mike, thanks for the video. Small jobs are just as instructive. I enjoy all your videos.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Steve, I appreciate that, Mike

[@doloresm7396]

Thanks for posting Mike.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Dolores, Mike

[@sweetdreamstime2266]

You are awesome Mike! I'm a lady who is just beginning a career in construction and you are such an inspiration. Thank you. 🙂

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Sweet Dreams, mike

[@juancandia1963]

AMASSING, MIKE ! You did it again !! Congratulations .

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks again, mike

[@martyheathers3549]

Hi Mike I enjoy your videos as the maintenance person at our church/daycare I have to do cement repairs from sidewalks to no expansion joints in the old building and have to chisel out the cracks and use a very elastic caulking to seal the crack. But I like the old school methods when I can and in Canada there’s always repairs to cement. Those little job videos are a great and I mean a great help to maintenance guys like me that do these little jobs so keep it up.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Marty, I appreciate hearing that, Mike

[@Mikidy303]

Another great video. Thanks for sharing. You make it look easy.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Mikey, mike

[@scotolbe]

I always enjoy watching your work Mike. 'Just get it done no big deal.' LOL. Your work looks great!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Scott, very true, thanks mike

[@darrenharlow3016]

Hi mike.it might be a small quick job but we like watching all your work they are very educational and if we want to do similar work we can learn of you so thanks for taking the time to show us

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Darren I appreciate that, mike

[@Dawt_Calm]

I'm watching you smack that block to shorten it and I'm thinking back a year ago I was helping a friend on some steps. I hit a brand new block from a store I won't name and the whole thing just disintegrated in my hands. lol Thanks for the content, Mr Haduck. Always appreciated.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Mrdead, mike

[@dhollm]

Thanks for the video - the variety of jobs you are involved in is fun to see in itself. Little projects can be very instructive because of some of the things you have to work around to get them done (like that pipe). If you ever do any brick veneer work that would be interesting! Most of the brickwork I find here tends to be from the UK where they build quite differently (as I'm sure you know). So for US DIY'ers with that type of house, not a lot of information is available... best regards!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks David, your right, in the UK brickworrh is still alive where here in the USA it is becoming a slow death, everything is going to premade and pannels, where the cost is cheaper, best regards also, mike

[@jamesleroy7752]

Talegateing with Mike Haduck! I love your videos. Keep up the good work.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks James, I appreciate it, mike

[@Mark-xk1ec]

Nice job well done! We all need a Mike Haduck near by when we do any Masonry work. Informative and fun..keep up the excellent work.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Mark, Mike

[@Mark-xk1ec]

Hi Mike, Its a pleasure. You take the time to make these interesting videos, and you deserve some good feedback. All the best. Mark

[@brianmoore5498]

it looks like a small job but even big jobs are just small jobs all rolled into one. Mike you use that trowel better than i use a knife and fork. Real thing of beauty to watch. Thats how a lot of this country got constructed, one trowel full at a time. Have a nice week!

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Brian, my dad use to throw his and cut match sticks , thanks, I appreciate it, mike

[@SB-cm7db]

I plan to do the exact thing to my seller in the spring, great video mike.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks scot, mike

[@nelsonvecchione2621]

as always ....Thanks Mike

[@MikeHaduck]

Thank you Nelso, Mike

[@9yoshi556]

thank you for your hard work Great tips and tricks

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Stanley, Mike

[@delorusclaiborne3274]

😊 my first time visiting your channel 👍 i appreciate your practical approach... I have a habit of overthinking things and then worrying lol really appreciate your carefree and relaxed attitude 🍻 you demystified the 💩 out of it ♥️

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks delor,, Mike

[@lazarevic95]

Another great video, thanks for posting mike. And I would definitely like a no big deal t shirt

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Knucklehead, I am going to consider getting them done, thanks, Mike

[@FCP32]

Thanks, Mr. Mike.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks R b, Mike

[@juanmanjarres362]

Amazing video, please keep up the good work. Very helpful

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Juan, Mike

[@colroulette9337]

Good job thanks again Mike!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks again col, Mike

[@denisconor648]

Great stuff Mike.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Denis, Mike

[@cprtrain]

Informative. Thanks for posting.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks cprtrain, mike

[@jeffsarros5777]

Hi Mike I've been a bricklayer for over 40 years figured I've laid around 3 million units between brick stone and block still fun and still going . Keep going as well ! Thanks for the fun videos ! Maybe we'll do a job someday just for fun!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Jeff, I appreciate hearing that from a professional, thanks mike

[@shawnlion4778]

Good work , Mike . keep it up

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Shawn, mike

[@dazza944]

Great to see Harrison Ford still keeping busy 💪🏻

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks dazza, mike

[@davidschwartz5127]

Funny, your eliminating a basement egress and I,m building one. Thanks for filming this small job it certainly helped me.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks David, Mike

[@hatzlmike1]

Showing the talent here Mike. Nice.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Mike, Mike

[@mickeygriggs]

Great information in all your videos would love to meet you some time but till then I'll keep watching if you keep posting

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Mickey, mike

[@garystaud5022]

Great work Mike. I'd rather watch anything you post versus what passes for TV entertainment these days. I can see why your clients keep calling on you. Keep slinging the mortar and keep the vids a comin'.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Gary, I appreciate it, mike

[@paulsimkins3895]

You have very informative videos I learn a lot from watching your videos your a great craftsman

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Paul, mike

[@raginbad1366]

Thanks for the video!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Regin, mike

[@shawnlarry8943]

Great work, mike

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Shawn, mike

[@danielgao52]

great jobs Thanks 👍👍👍😀

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Daniel, Mike

[@Leesherwood]

Mike is a Master class Mason.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, I try. Mike

[@charlieday5]

Great work

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Charlie, mike

[@lourod9452]

Awesome job like always! I guess it was summer time!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Lou, yep summertime, mike

[@suep4530]

nice!! we had a stone foundation in our old house.. nearly 100 years old now and still standing.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Sue, Mike

[@robertmeyer4591]

Great Information Mike, You have taught me a good deal about Mortar, Concrete, & Rebar. I am a electrical engineer, but enjoy building things out of duct tape, construction adhesive, wood, brick, and then more duct tape. I have noticed here in Iowa where they are pouring new sidewalks that they are using a composite fiberglass rebar. As far as blocking up this basement doorway here in this video if you had more time and more money for the project would you consider installing some vertical rebar in the block and doing more work outside of the wall for drainage? Enjoy your videos and plan to watch more of the Master working in his medium. All the Best Mike !

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Robert, I don't know if I would add anything else, I just did the fill in I don't know what the deal was with the drainage but I am sure what I did will stay, yea I would start using that fiberglass rebar here and there, thanks Mike

[@brickbybric]

Looks good mike.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks bric, mike

[@setisuafa6551]

THANK YOU. HELPFUL FOR MY SMALL JOB.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, Mike

[@scrasebridge]

I like the small jobs, they are at my skill level. What is a Big Deal is the way masons use a trowel. Somehow whenever I load a trowel, the cement falls straight off. It's how it is, so now I don't bother and hire someone who can, its No Big Deal !!!! Great videos, really great.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks scrape, I appreciate it, Mike

[@DanielaRouge]

How wonderful! I just wanted to know how to block up a doorway, and who did I find? The best master of blocking and other masonry staff. I,ve learned so many things from this artist of building!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Daniela for the kind words , I hope I live up to it, thanks, Mike

[@pensive69]

in our area most open below grade entrances are a bigger problem than one with a roof or cover... half of the older homes we work on have them and besides water drainage problems, build up of sediment and trash, they have accelerated weathering to the joints. those cracks you pointed out are very common wall defects where the stairs are open to weather...

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Pensive, I agree, they are always trouble, thanks, Mike

[@rickybobby4949]

Mike has me feeling like a freemason out here 😆. In all seriousness thanks for the content and the work you do to put these videos together. I have to tackle this job on my house built in 1861. Love from Wisconsin!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, mike

[@user-gm1mv8em7g]

It is good to see how you do the small job that spmeone like me would only do once maybe although i kind of knew what to do thanks a lot Mike,from Pat in Dublin Ireland.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Pat, Mike

[@fillowtree5505]

Nice job as usual.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Fillow, mike

[@josianrodriguez1249]

SALUDOS MIKE ANOTHER GREAT JOB WELL DONE. AS ALWAYS. G.B.Y.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks God bless you too, mike

[@tradingthefuturemarkets4403]

Oh I’ll be wearing my Mike Haduck Masonry shirt n advertising the best mason on the east coast !! ❤️❤️❤️

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Haunted, you are very kind, Mike

[@Hoserthomas]

That type s is probably the least sticky mortar I’ve ever used. I’ve found getting a bag of masonry and mixing with sand to be way nicer to work with. When he butters the vertical joints of the blocks already laid and the mud sticks that’s a sign of loads of experience. 👍

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, Mike

[@donmittlestaedt1117]

thanks Mike

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Don, Mike

[@austinbyrd3710]

You rock Mike!!!! Love your vids!!!! Next tshirt " just sling it"

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Austin, mike

[@ianhoward4246]

"No big deal" / "Ain't no beauty contest" .The two golden rules of brickwork.RESPECT!!!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Ian, I agree, lol, mike

[@MrJlima5]

I like that on T shirt it’s no big deal great job Mike

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Jose, I will get to it, thanks, mike

[@transliv03]

Hi Mike. It's interesting what you say about rebar. There is a channel by "Blancolirio" that covered the Oroville Dam disaster in California. In rebuilding the spillway, they took out the old concrete with rusted rebar and replaced it with new concrete but with epoxy coated rebar. Seems like they see the same thing you do. Love the video. All the best. Tony in Australia

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Tony, good to hear from Australia, I think they are starting to realize than when you use rebar it has a time stamp on it, they are starting to try different things up here also, thanks, mike

[@mickeygriggs]

I love all your videos I have learned a lot as a Do it yourselfer homeowner thanks. Ps Actually the bank owns the home lol I just keep it up.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Mickey, I agree, Mike

[@seanmccluskey4581]

This is exactly what beginners want to see. Perfect.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Mike

[@andrewdow7412]

Do more concrete resurfacers! Those are very nice videos you do. I would love if you did a concrete resurfacing video on the product top n bond!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Andrew, I will remember that, mike

[@ADOX2525]

Thanks for the upload

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Simon, Mike

[@ADOX2525]

@@MikeHaduck no big deal ;) You seem like a stand up guy - keep up the great work - even the simple jobs give DIY people like me confidence

[@lukapopovic6668]

I loved this video

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Luka, mike

[@cadaddydave8303]

Out here in CA you have to fill the CMU with grout. The other thing is we set the rebar in Epoxy.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi CA, it's a different world out there for sure, thanks mike

[@invalidacess]

ur videos make me lose track of time. I was supposed to be in bed 21 mins ago. Good stuff here mike. Another great video.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks invalidates, I appreciate it, mike

[@zaidhussain3658]

thanks mike

[@MikeHaduck]

Thank you said, mike

[@cschnitker8865]

Yes, I would enjoy wearing a Mike Haduck Tee shirt too., the" no big deal" shirt.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi C. I will get to that eventually, thanks, mike

[@anthonyvagianos5235]

Thanks Mike, great video I'm about to do this myself, so you've helped a lot. One question. my basement floor is ledge, or one giant boulder. Entry I'd like to fill is 3' wide, but is 5 inches out of level. Is that too much to fill using rock or rubble below the first course? Should I form a small footing first, let it dry and then start? I do have plenty of thin stone hanging around. Tony

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Tony, either way if I am reading you right, whatever works, I hope it helps , Mike

[@Rayram555]

This is a great skill to have! Tee shirt letters should read Dont make a big deal out of it! Thank you .

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Ray, I like that one thanks, mike

[@8bitfarmer900]

No big deal just throw it up! Nice work sir.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks 8bit, that’s it, mike

[@frisko6445]

Hey Mike thanks for the video. How would you recommend filling the whole once the job is complete would you break up the stairs to the dirt for draining? Then just fill dirt ? Thanks again.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Frisco, I personally would use modified, and pitch it away from the house, but everyone thinks different, thanks mike

[@jayhiz3514]

Mike I love your videos! I have a leaky cinder wall basement in NJ. Is there anyway to fix cinder with concrete? Would a coat of concrete on the outside work? Either way keep going I look forward to your videos and thank you for your military service

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Jhizall, I have plastered up a lot of cinders ,with concrete, anything that works, thanks mike

[@markpinther9296]

I recall the idea about block not needing water to make mortar stick but I have never understood why. Especially because during repair of block etc you always wet it. Would you mind explaining why no wetting of new block? I appreciate the videos and all your efforts. I would also buy a No Big Deal tshirt in a heartbeat.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks mark m basic block and brick work never gets wet because it causes a mess that is hard to clean, Gravity does most of the trick there, but if the brick or blocks have some moisture in it , they do sick a lot better, but yea, water causes a big mess, thanks, mike

[@originaldanman]

Do this all the time Mike just like your doing it, I have 3 to do next week. However on many jobs they require rebar on each end drilled and epoxied to floor and header, with wall ties 16" O.C. so either you have to cut an a or u block on each end, or you epoxy one rebar in the floor and drill the top holes, then drop a second then leave a clean out on the middle and top, then pull up and epoxy in after your filled in. The next day you hand grout. But only once have I ever had to put rebar horizontally.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi, whatever works, thanks Mike

[@joesolo-op6jh]

Thank U!!!!!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, Mike

[@juanmena1935]

good job

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, mike

[@jakefriesenjake]

Hey, it's no big deal. Great vid

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks jake, mike

[@sighpocket5]

Nice!!!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Sigh, mike

[@roccobierman4985]

Would have preferred to see them fix that wall and door instead of blocking it up but oh well. Good work as always mike.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Rocco, yep, that’s what they wanted, mike

[@LasseGreiner]

What a pity! I would give at least my pinky to have a doorway to my cellar... However, thanks for showing how you do it!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Lasse, mike

[@Brian-Burke]

I can't get enough of your videos, Mike. I have a question. Would/could you fill in ALL the block voids to make the wall stronger? I know that would use a lot of material though. Thanks for posting.

[@jonb12321]

Not really, may as well use solid (not hollow) blocks. If you have them in your area of course.

[@nitramretep]

Little and big jobs are all good!!

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Peter, anything that pays the bills, thanks, mike

[@hrxy1]

great vid

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks hrxy1, mike

[@dlee4195]

I always love your video. Thanjs oops....I meant Thanks.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks D, mike

[@CForged]

Yes on the shirts Mike. “No Big Deal, Just Continue On”

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Mike , I wrote that down, thanks, Mike

[@CForged]

Mike Haduck Masonry “ just continue on “ are also your words straight from this video Mike.