Making a small concrete pad, no fancy tools. ASMR

Most people overthink a concrete pad, but it's actually not that hard to make a small pad yourself, and is a much better option than patio stones for many things. It's also rewarding to have it done yourself and it will last for years. Plus it's fun, come check it out.
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[@lucretiabenko708]

Such an easy video to follow along! Looks like an easy way to get a pad without having to get a big company in 👍👍

[@timothyturner712]

Thanks so much. I love that I don't have to listen to someone's boring commentary and I can still understand it 100%. I might give this a shot over the weekend, to make a foundation for a pool heater. :)

[@JessedoesDIY]

Nice! Happy to help. Good luck with yours! Keep me posted

[@allancastro6408]

Amazing, thanks for showing us those tips.

[@jermainehenry7180]

Great video, thank you. Thinking of doing the same thing either in the fall or waiting until Spring next year. I will refer back to this video for sure. Great job!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks, happy to help! Good luck on yours, keep me posted

[@jenniferfarsh675]

Very enjoyable to watch. Thanks!

[@teter129]

TIP: Don’t use rounded rock for you gravel base, as it won’t “lock in” like jagged cut rock. Also place the rock below grade, so you don’t have a shallow pour.

[@izzo4231]

What do you mean when you refer to below grade?

[@JessedoesDIY]

Below the level of the ground

[@teter129]

@@izzo4231 Beneath the natural level surface. You dig down 2-3 inches, pour the rock in and bring the stone level to the grade, and set your forms ontop and pour your slab.

[@Msvieja20]

For me the absolute best thing about the video is you have freaking times of when you wet and how long after to take off the frame so THANK YOU!!!!!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Anytime! Happy to help

[@cocobearallen]

Great video. Captions for the sound effects gave me a laugh. One thing I really appreciate is showing how you clean the tools right away and clean up the job site. A simple task that keeps things working and looking good. Kudos.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks! Glad you liked it. Yeah you really have to be quick to clean concrete tools otherwise that thing layer will dry and stick to it. A clean site is a safe site too!

[@megdahlin1118]

Great video! "Clean as you go" seems the perfect mantra for concrete. I'll be doing this myself soon. A smaller pad, for the front porch. Thank you.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks!

[@KeithBalante]

best ASMR sounds on the internet!

[@skjbjj]

이 영상이야말로 나같은 초보자에게 도움이 되는 영상이군요. 전문가의 도구 없이도 콘크리트 패드를 만들 수 있는 자신감이 생기네요. 물론 목재 프레임을 만들어야 하는 어려움이 있지만요 👍

[@riversmart]

Thank you for a great demo. Well done!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Glad you liked it!

[@gort5583]

Nice! Small slab, massive forms and pegs! Well done!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks

[@Arthur-hg7ny]

Good thing you wash everything off. That stuff will harden like concrete.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Yeah, it's weird how that happens hey

[@Arthur-hg7ny]

@@JessedoesDIY 😂 Great video!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks lol

[@brandonplank4233]

I see what you did there

[@hypedad]

Ya don’t say lol

[@naduarteedwards]

I will definitely use your video to make my own 8 by 5 gazebo bbq slab thank you so much to post the video

[@JessedoesDIY]

That's awesome! So glad I could help. Good luck and keep me posted

[@grandmashousebandb]

Easiest video to follow of all we have watched. Thanks.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks! Glad I could help

[@theotheofanous9763]

Thank you so much! It’s very helpful and easy to follow!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Anytime, glad you liked it!

[@rmariecassidy163]

Simple easy to follow and the best to date..looks 👍

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks!

[@tinataylor6211]

Thank you so much!!! Best How To on UTube !! Just watch and learn , Well Done !!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks so much!

[@yongcastillo1993]

Very nicely done. Thanks!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks

[@helenac.4081]

Beautiful!!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks

[@izzo4231]

Amazing video Wanted to do this but with a size of 8x8 for a jacuzzi. Any tips or just follow the same instructions?

[@eduardoespinoza3411]

Very good video. Watched this without audio as a demo before I tackle my first concrete pad. One note; marker 5:02 shows the pad as concrete is being spread to the edges, then marker 5:57 looks like the edges of the concrete pad are smoothed with an edge tool.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks. No edge tool in this video. This was more of a basic slab. If you want more info and how to use some of the tools I have a new video up on making a small concrete slab. Check that one out. Good luck on yours

[@spy1411]

Wow... this makes me feel like I can almost make one! I'm going to try it!!!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Nice! Good luck and have fun with it!

[@JohnDoe-mp1zk]

you can

[@B_DD-hs6wz]

Update?

[@jen1love]

Me too

[@jen1love]

I need a base for my dream outdoor shower and I don't want things crawling up between the boards so I think I'll use concrete!

[@juanitacampbell6666]

Very very informative video.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks!

[@omarluna5840]

Thank you for this

[@JessedoesDIY]

Anytime

[@immortalj1]

Best video to do a slab! simplified!!!!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks!

[@solarflare4259]

Great video! The pad I intend to pour is "a bit larger" 26'x18'x6"....

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks! That's awesome, good luck! Send me some pics when you're done, I'd love to see it

[@chuckwalla325]

Great video!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks!

[@HsingSun]

Thank you for the video. I would use "step stones" to keep those trash cans.

[@virnan]

Beautiful. I want to make a slab for a small shed someday.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks! Yeah I'd like to as well, but I need it for a larger shed and that is a lot of concrete

[@leonardmartin5145]

Great video!!! Thank you !!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks!

[@MoonLeaf_RaquelLeBaudour]

Really nice job. 🍃👌🏽🍃

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks

[@pistolpete528]

Great job

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks!

[@andranikovichyg9157]

Awesome 👏 thanks!!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Anytime!

[@ericab936]

So simple❤️

[@JessedoesDIY]

Sure is!

[@christopherdekonstrukt444]

Need one about 4' by 10' for my motorcycle under the patio. I have a Kryptonite anchor that sets in wet cement.

[@jupitereye4322]

You should consider putting basalt fiber reinforcement into a concrete mixture. It's not necessary of course, but it helps a lot to prevent small cracks.

[@JessedoesDIY]

You can for sure. But nobody sells anything like that locally here and it's too expensive for this small slab. If I was pouring a shed base or something decorative I might invest in it

[@MrWhitelightning73]

Outstanding

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks

[@SicanguLakota4rmSouthDakota]

Nice work.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thank you

[@cw4545]

Very Nice!❤ 👍

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks

[@o.g582]

Thank you

[@JessedoesDIY]

Anytime

[@tonysanto5153]

Great video that 👍

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks!

[@ashleyrhymer1145]

I watched your videos on the shed last night and then looked up what all you helped with and my project list is now a lot longer lol. Quick question, if you wanted to build a larger pad would the process be the same? For example if you wanted to make one to put a kids basketball goal on or to use for a shed bed or even possibly expanding outside seating area... I really appreciate how informative you are.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks so much! Glad I could add to your list lol so for a larger pad the process is the same, but if you go large enough for a shed I would work from one side to the other, smoothing a little as you go because the concrete will start to set up on you over time. Mix a few bags, pour it on one side, smooth out, continue on from there. If you pour a pile like I did, only bigger for a larger slab, it might start to slightly harden and be a pain to work with. Hope that helps and thanks for watching, good luck on yours! Keep me posted

[@zachariahstillwater]

nice work and video! Subtitles made me laugh! Thanks for that :)

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks lol glad you liked it!

[@sofiasein3462]

Such a great video!! can this be used for a shed foundation?

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks! It absolutely can! Let me know how it goes

[@miguelojeda4030]

Nice slab!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks!

[@virgildeer8584]

Nce vid, it came out great, what is the size of your slab, your cement bags and how many bags did you use? And what type of gravel and how much did you use?

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks. It's just basic 10-15 mm pea gravel and you put down a couple inches, or 4 buckets worth. The slab we made was 4'×4' and about 2.5" thick and it took 7, 55 lb bags of Quikrete concrete. If you are wondering how many you may need just google concrete calculator and input your dimensions, it will shoot out how many bags you need. Hope that helps

[@brodyllc]

Thank you sir

[@JessedoesDIY]

Anytime!

[@gutisha]

Hi there, your video is really great. Thanks for sharing. Could you share how many bags of concrete you used? I counted about 6 bags you threw away. Much appreciated.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks, glad you liked it. It was 6 that I used yup. But if you want, Google concrete calculator and the very first result is what I use. You plug in your dimensions, and it spits out how many bags you need. Home that helps!

[@theeuropeancyclepaths8206]

Thanks 👍

[@JessedoesDIY]

Anytime!

[@danielcarroll5667]

Noice ! I liked making the "shovels & rakes & implements of destruction" sounds in my head , go figure ! Thanks for a great video , eh ?!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks man lol anytime eh!

[@xsteel3292]

It is easy. People try to make you think it is hard to do----their job security. HA My dad and uncle build the house i grew up in. Only the second my Uncle built who later built many houses. They poured the concrete and never had cracks or anything and that was done in 1957!

[@michael-dy8tz]

Very nice.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks

[@mikel4510]

Use that speed square as a guide for your saw.

[@JessedoesDIY]

I usually do but in this case it wasn't a big deal as it didn't need to be perfect

[@thines888]

My kinda comedy, good video!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks!

[@potentiostat]

I've watched a dozen or so concrete videos and this is the best DIY of the bunch. Good job. Could have used a bit of voice over and advice but overall a great video. Thanks!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks. I am actually going to be doing a more in depth voice over video this summer

[@brianm6272]

Hi there, great video 👍 How thick would a pad like that need to be for a patio?

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks! Between 2 to 3 inches would be best, makes it more crack resistant

[@Yuroon]

( hitting the like button sounds )

[@JessedoesDIY]

Haha awesome. If smiling made a sound I'd do that. Thanks!

[@Moondoggy1941]

It seems that you are One with Editing, nice job.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks

[@rl945]

Cool

[@nivea123]

Hi there 👋 Why pour concrete on stones /gravel in the beginning? How about pouring over flat tiles/ slabs, is that okay? Perhaps it will prevent weeds growing through too.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Hey! Typically you'd pour it over stone like this for a backyard slab to help with drainage underneath. If water does get under it the whole slab can move up and down as one, not a sludge of mud under it. It also bonds to the base rock you lay down and that helps give it a bit more strength. If you already have broken concrete or tile you may need to remove it first because the new concrete won't bond to that

[@diddikong700]

Would you be able to do the same steps with a bigger slab or would you need rebar?

[@JessedoesDIY]

Depend on the weight you're going to put on it. If it's not going to be insanely heavy stuff on it, you can make it bigger and use these same steps and materials.

[@danlewis3452]

Can you put a shed straight onto the concrete or do you need to put a wooden or plastic base on the concrete first before putting shed on Tia..

[@JessedoesDIY]

You can put a shed straight onto it as long as the bottom plate in your walls is pressure treated. It'll last for decades

[@deanpowers8393]

Great tutorial! No two minute intro with stupid video effects, no five minute long backstory about helping your dad do this when you were a kid, no lame attempts at humor... JUST TUTORIAL!!! Could you reach other people how to do this?

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks, I appreciate it! I try to just show what needs to be shown in all my videos with explanations where needed. I can only reach others if people watch and like the video, and if they share it around on social media. Thanks for watching!

[@chrisromero8026]

what about putting motor oil on the inside of the boards so they don't stick?

[@JessedoesDIY]

You can, but you really only need to do that if you're going to reuse the form multiple times. For one and done like this, it's not needed

[@jennbradshaw2733]

Thanks for not talking. I'm going to get started.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Cool. Good luck on yours!

[@KingKiloOfficial]

At some point that sharp edge is going to absolutely mangle someone's toes lmao. But nice video none the less! Easy to watch, easy to follow.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Nobody is walking back here without shoes or boots on, but I see what you're saying. Thanks, glad you liked it. I have a newer video with voiceover as well if you want to check that out

[@salmanm990]

What are the dimensions of the slab? How many cement bags did you use?

[@JessedoesDIY]

This was 4'x4' and I think it was 8 or 9 bags. Google concrete calculator and the first result will do all the math for you

[@markwilder9817]

Nice.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks

[@No_cap_yo]

Nice work, can you provide some spec details? Size of the slab Depth How many inches were gravel and how many inches concrete in depth How many bags of concrete you used? Thank you

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks. Sorry for the late reply but it was about 4'x4', about 3" thick concrete after the rock. You just need enough rock to cover the ground and I think I used 5 or 6, 60lb bags if I remember correctly

[@m4xfl4xst4r]

cool beehives, where'd you get em?

[@JessedoesDIY]

They were used in town

[@chetfairman9545]

So you just screeded it and left that finish or was there a trowel and broom portion that we didn't see?

[@JessedoesDIY]

I just left it like that for a simple, but very grippy texture so my parents don't slip if it's wet or even maybe a bit icy. After screeding and then tapping again it actually isn't a bad finish for something like this, but for something that will be more visible, you may want to smooth it out

[@MrLarrybyrne]

How many bags of Quilcrete did you need? I'm assuming you used 60# bags? Thanks

[@JessedoesDIY]

Yeah they were. I believe that slab was 6 bags

[@kaytyler7372]

That's a thing of beauty. Wish you were here.

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks! But it's totally do able

[@musk4mars116]

How long after pour do you start finishing?

[@JessedoesDIY]

I waited 24 hours to remove the mould, and at least 48 hours before I put things on it

[@anhonestman1234]

Great video. Thanks. Why the continuous watering?

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks! The water helps it cure correctly by slowing it down and prevent cracking

[@anhonestman1234]

@@JessedoesDIY I am today years old knowing that. Thanks!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Anytime!

[@fdort3971]

@JesseDoesDiy why did you keep watering it...were you trying to grow more? Bahaha...couldn't resist... Thanks for describing the sounds.. ur funny!

[@fdort3971]

I thought you were supposed to mix aggregate, sand, cement and water together...(I'm just learning)...Can you please explain why you spread the rock first? How does the mix not run out the bottom?

[@bhaggerty4516]

Great video. Ever get a foot injury working in sandals?

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks. Not yet I haven't. In fact the only time I've had a foot injury was in shoes and also carbon fiber toed boots. Took a nail through each into the foot lol

[@DanielGrows]

Does watering help it grow?

[@JessedoesDIY]

Helps concrete cure correctly lol flood it lightly over the next couple days every 6-8 hours

[@stephienotcurry]

how many bags of concrete did you use?

[@JessedoesDIY]

That slab was 5, 60lb bags

[@wataboutya9310]

How many bags of concrete did you use for that pad?

[@JessedoesDIY]

Ooooo...I want to say it was 6

[@gayuvivek07]

Please tell me how many pounds of concrete mix you used for this project ?

[@JessedoesDIY]

5, 60 pound bags

[@bobbygarcia-garcia4871]

How many bags of concrete did you use?

[@JessedoesDIY]

I can't remember but I think it was 6

[@poppasmurf63]

Dont know where you are but that dirt looks just like the dirt here in North Texas 😆

[@JessedoesDIY]

Way up in central Canada, almost straight north of Texas, in Saskatchewan. It's some pretty terrible dirt, especially with the many years of drought right now lol

[@johnle231]

I guess there’s no way to get it smooth without a float or something? Or maybe don’t want it to be smooth for slipping and falling protection

[@JessedoesDIY]

You could float it, yes. But then you'd have to add texture back onto it for grip anyways. This was fine for me because I wanted lots of grip for my parentsto prevent falls

[@Tom-fl3ki]

How much weight could this take? and should I also use a weed membrane under the stones?

[@JessedoesDIY]

No weed membrane, nope. And this will support a couple thousand pounds if you asked it to

[@Tom-fl3ki]

@@JessedoesDIY Thank you, really appreciate it :)

[@JessedoesDIY]

Anytime!

That captions for non audio parts is hilarious lol

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks lol

[@antoniopecora9837]

Hi there. What are the dimensions of the concrete slab? Also, did you add gravel, concrete, wire mesh AND THEN concrete? If so, do you need to just lay it on the top of the concrete or sink it in? It seems very close to the top. Thanks! Really great video!

[@JessedoesDIY]

For this slab it was about 4'x4'. Once it was dug out I added a layer of rock, not gravel, don't want any sand. On top of the gravel I added wire mesh and just layed it down, then concrete over that. The concrete will flow down through the mesh and into the stones creating a very strong slab. Where you put the mesh depends on the type of load the concrete will see. Heavy loads, like really heavy then you put the mesh closer to the surface, in my case I put the mesh on the bottom of the concrete to prevent cracking from ground movement. Hope that helps!

[@d1gord]

About how many bags or concrete did you use? I'm in the middle of a 10×10 project. I bought six bags so far

[@JessedoesDIY]

If I remember correctly we used about 7 or 8. If you Google "Concrete calculater" the very first result is what I use all the time. Enter in your dimensions and calculate. It'll shoot out how many bags you need and how heavy it'll be. Hope that helps and good luck on yours!

[@d1gord]

@@JessedoesDIY used it. Thanks!

[@JessedoesDIY]

Anytime

[@jkshavoc]

How many bags did you use?

[@JessedoesDIY]

6 if I remember correctly

[@alejandromiranda8489]

What size is the slab ?

[@JessedoesDIY]

This was about 4x4

[@israelrodriguez6986]

What’s the purpose of pouring water over the slab 4hours later?

[@JessedoesDIY]

24 hours later. Concrete is water cured. You don't want it to dry too fast or it will crack, the water flooding slows it down

[@philipskrusso1153]

Eccellente tutorial

[@JessedoesDIY]

Thanks

[@clarkt9925]

How much weight do you think this slab would support before it cracked? How much difference does the metal mesh make?

[@JessedoesDIY]

Couple thousand pounds, way more of you made it thicker. Concrete needs reinforcement in it, it's designed that way. If you don't add it the odds of it cracking a lot and early go way up

[@HandyAndy999]

Why do u keep on getting it wet ? Newbie here . Thank you.

[@JessedoesDIY]

No prob. Concrete is water cured, so keeping it wet over the course of a few days helps it cure slower. If it dries out too fast it increases the risk of it cracking and curling

[@Cheesy930]

how much would this cost for a homeowner with no concrete tools?

[@JessedoesDIY]

Depends on the size and price of concrete in your area. To buy everything from scratch would be like $80-90 for me

[@einsteinvondaniken]

I wouldn't even have spent the money on the stones for such a small project (but I'm in Florida so....)

[@JessedoesDIY]

They are $2 a bucket at the local landscape supply

[@suzannekeir3974]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@AlvinC-sz3li]

Anybody know how much it cost to make this?

[@JessedoesDIY]

It was about $85 at the time

[@AlvinC-sz3li]

Thanks!@@JessedoesDIY

[@JessedoesDIY]

Anytime