DIY Concrete Foundation for a Garage or Shed (With Curb Wall!)

[@normanhunt2484]

You’re a treat to watch. Plain, simple, concise, informative. It’s really nice to watch a crew who truly cares about the outcome- not just running to the bank to cash the check. Thank you.

[@dailydriver8280]

It's amazing how the pros can make hard work look so easy. I'm glad you mention using a water reducer in the videos where you use it as I was concerned when I started watching your videos that pouring the mud that loose would affect the strength. Great tip. Keep the videos coming. Nice job.

[@johnweaver1198]

Comments are hilarious. This is not a Condo in FL..... It's a frickin' garage.... Nice work.... I have done a few slabs and my work is a joke compared to the efforts here. And some are 20 years old with no issues. Nice content, very educational, and a chick on the team to boot. Awesome....

[@peterputnam3804]

Hey Mike have poured a lot of concrete in my day usually we inset a 2x4 tapered on each side for a keyway found that this helps prevent cold joints

[@ZAPATTUBE]

WHERE?

[@trueRocc]

@ZAPATTUBE either middle of your footings or middle of where the wall will go.

[@ChipsPlace1952]

What is a keyway in concrete? 2x4 tapered on each end? I'm a shade tree, can that be explained..... Thanks

[@R0yL33]

@@ChipsPlace1952 the 2x4 laid in the floor where the wall will go so as to create a channel and help lock in the wall. Tapered on either side so it's easy to remove the 2x4.

[@spock59]

Wire mesh is the most ineffective slab reinforcements one could use. I removed a slab I placed 30 years ago and almost all of the mesh was rusted and corroded. The only good thing was that it made it easier to demo. Pulling up on the mesh is pointless when the finishers step right into the concrete afterwards, pushing it back down to the ground. The best reinforcement is #4 rebar set at an 18" on-center grid with dobies at 36" on-center; 2" dobies for a 4" slab and 3" dobies for a 6" slab. Also, forget the fiber-mesh, the best crack control is saw cutting the control joint grooves a day or two later at 1/3 of the depth of the slab; 1-3/8" for a 4" slab, and 2" for a 6" slab and dividing up the surface area into a maximum of 7 foot by 7 foot squares. One of the best methods of crack control I can tell you is to take your 2" x 5" margin trowel and push in down into the slab at all joint locations where the control joint meets a structure, drain, form, or at the beginning and the end of the joint. This insures the cracks to follow the joints and gets the saw cut closer to the end of the joint where the saw can't reach. Authored by Steve Milovich GC of 42 years

[@jonzimmerman427]

i agree....this mesh is doing almost nothing to hold that concrete together.

[@josecondemarin9586]

I had lay very little concrete in my younger years but I had enjoy doing that. You guys make look so easy but is not, you have to be always on time and moving. Great job !! thanks for the video.

[@GoldsConcrete]

This brings us back to our good old days when all our jobs were 3 people max. Thank you for this !

[@TheContainerGuyTV]

Great Video. Thanks!!

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Thank you

[@Bryan-yq9pz]

This was really fun watching you guys. I really enjoyed it. Thanks a lot

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@BaberJacks]

those hob forms look like the go. pain setting up with timbers and also to pour in 1 hit nice work

[@markarita3]

Exactly the dimensions, door placements and orientation of my garage! Nice job Mike.

[@sikosis999]

mike i like watch'n your stuff . . . no rocket science, no pandering just common sense, knowing your material and specs then getting it done. . . proper.

[@alecharper515]

Good to hear that Maine accent once again. Thanks for posting. Great job.

[@mirjanavuletic4762]

Lady was amazing better then many apprentice 🍷🍷🍷🌹🌹🌹🌹👌👌👌👌👍

[@othoapproto9603]

WOW, what skill and team, I love concrete.

[@shingleflex5064]

Perfect for my side shed plans in the Burbs on a slope.

[@CascadePacificNW]

I have been spring forms for a slab that I’m pouring tomorrow. The home owner did the sub grade himself and it was river rock with maybe three inches of sand over it. It was almost impossible to drive stakes. It took forever. I ended up just driving them held back and using shims to get the forms in place. He also wanted me to use lumber that he cut himself. It was rough cut so no planing. And the edges were not flat. It took a while before I realized why I couldnt get my forms to match my string line. I ended up planing the top edge of all the forms myself.

[@mikah4051]

You guys are pros and it shows.

[@bznupeqpchannel21]

You’re a bad man! Great work Mike

[@jakemcmahan5711]

To everyone commenting on chairs...plastic chairs usually break when people walk on them. Dobies can create voids. Not to mention trying to wheel on chairs or dobies. Pulling up the wire is fine. I have done many tear outs where the wire is on the ground. It was not pulled up. When I pour...I pull it up and double check as I’m pouring by looking at the bar that has not been covered in concrete. Give it an extra yank before I walk back in it to screed. It NEVER sinks all the way to the ground. The aggregate settles underneath it. Usually when you find wire on the ground it’s because people get in a hurry and FORGET TO PULL IT UP. People ask how is this monolithic? The slab has thickened edges that will be below finished grade. Theirs no need for 48” . As others have stated it’s a floating floor...that’s why the walls are on TOP of the slab. He did put in L bars and I’m sure he put them in more than just the corners. You twist the L bar so it becomes a part of the slab. Also, commenters, what kind of strength would tying flimsy wire to the upright or horizontal floor add?? Nothing. I live in Nebraska..48” frost line is not required for a floating slab under 500 square feet. It’s detached and we’re not parking tanks or semis on it. It’s a one story SHED. Sorry to mention a competitor Mike, but watch Dave Odell. The guys a serious professional and NEVER uses chairs or dobies. I’m not sure if people are trying to “show off” with all of the knowledge they have...but a lot of the comments are ridiculous.

[@RB-tx4mn]

Watching Mike's videos makes me wish my guidance counselors talked about jobs like this instead of pushing college or military. Proud of my military service and 23 years in public safety, but I would love to earn a living doing this stuff.

[@sarahann530]

Don't be sad little buddy , just because you lived off the taxpayer your whole life doesn't make you less of a man

[@Andresseus]

Usually they don't know about that stuff either and that is why they are... Guidance Counsellers. Thankfully there are video like these.

[@RB-tx4mn]

@andrescientos "Guidance Counselor" would imply they know on careers, school, and other things to "guide" students toward.

[@RB-tx4mn]

@@sarahann530 I have zero sadness, honey. Especially the 15th of the month when that government retirement check arrives via direct deposit. Thank you. And you're welcome!

[@murrethmedia]

Love that Maine accent! Been too long since I've visited Bangor. Greetings from your friends in Nova Scotia! Great video.

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Thanks! 😃

[@maryglasser404]

Very nice. Nice you showed a different way. Some try to pour all one.

[@cracker3924]

Tia had a really good go,hats off to her

[@car9167]

This kind of the way we build foundations in Romania. The difference is on the edge it goes down in the ground 48" minimum. At the bottom at he trench and at the slab level there are 9 1/2" rebars forming like a cage and becoming two beams (one at the bottom and one at the top. If you would look in the cross section it will be like an I-beam with rebar enforcement at the top and bottom. Then for the slab there is rebar going in both direction 3/8" (10mm) every 4" (100mm). The poor is continuous for the walls and slab.

[@MikeDayConcrete]

That's a rugged slab for sure. Thanks for sharing!

[@car9167]

@@MikeDayConcrete Here is a youtube movie in romanian but you can see the images kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3vSpZWlrLBqabc It's for a house, not a business or anything. Note interior foundation walls where the interior walls of the house will sit on.

[@car9167]

@@MikeDayConcrete Here is another example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/enS0g6GVnJyanas

[@rickkriz8901]

Your frost line is much deeper….

[@car9167]

@@rickkriz8901 Nope. For Romania is between 0.7 to 1.2m. I gave 48" which is 1.2m. Did you do some research before speaking?

[@davidreynolds4684]

Good video. Made it look easy.

[@johnpoole699]

Is it possible to do the slab and knee walls in one pour ?

[@christianheidt5733]

Thank you for taking the time to film & explain it. Very informative!

[@freeman7788]

Ya made that slab pour look easy. My old man said pour on sand the slab will never crack as the clay wont expand or contract it and crack . He used to do Mega structures... We use chairs and for the Rebar and more steel in Australia..

[@michaelhuye]

fantastic craftsmanship!!!

[@DIRT-BOSS]

Really nice work Mike ! 💪🏼💯💪🏼

[@lukula2934]

Looks great...This is in Maine? Aren't there codes for depths of footings and freeze depths up there? Down here in Mass., anything with a roof and/or decks must have 4' depths.

[@eddygoodwin7089]

Those aluminum forms are nice

[@timtrain35]

“DIY”…first 30 seconds….hired excavator….hired Mike Day.

[@AlMai222]

You could still rent an excavator and do everything yourself.

[@flocksbyknight]

Hired concrete truck 😆

[@reminoel483]

If you think your gonna poor a full on garage fondation with a hand mixer and concrete pouches

[@adrianricker]

@@reminoel483 These DIY concrete guys probably can't mix a yard by hand in a day. Let them dream.

[@YouTube_can_ESAD]

@@flocksbyknight Dude, you’ve got ZERO clue… 🤣👉🏼🤡

[@dappa211]

IF you are pulling up the rebar or steel as you go along aren't you pushing it back down when you are walking back on the areas you had pulled it up?

[@MJ-iy4fb]

Nice work. I like the smooth knee walls.

[@carlosmerida9952]

I do Concret in Indiana, you guys did a nice job.

[@crabkilla]

Mike - I always love watching your videos! Question - what is the purpose of the "knee wall" for this garage? Backfill?

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Yes, the outside grade was high on a couple sides.

[@memebro3181]

Looks clean and neat.

[@MikeDayConcrete]

It was!

[@jtltet]

Nice job!! I have a question though. I have to believe that the wire mesh is getting pushed back to the bottom from all of the walking on it. It seems like it would be better to lift it up right after the pour or use the little chairs or what ever they are called to lift them up. I could be wrong because I clearly don't do this for a living but that is just a thought I had.

[@joantubridy5207]

My thought as well.

[@bertcarrier3520]

Great video! Now I'm motivated to get out there and do my project!

[@elvlado2333]

That's another level ...

[@hi-fi3889]

Great videos! I'm still learning what all is needed in foundations and I'm wondering, would the metal mesh on the slab always sit on the ground and not be "suspended" in the concrete, like the walls or footings?

[@JaredClarkBoaz]

They sell what's called a "rebar chair" which is a small plastic piece that you can use to suspend the rebar while pouring, but in the video he says he is pulling up on the mesh as they pour. The guy walking over it while pouring is pushing it right back down though, it would seem.

[@kirkwickizerart1078]

What about floor slope?

[@michaelgoodwin5162]

Mike, I have an oddball question for you. I know you primarily do flat work but maybe you'll know. When pouring vertically where they'll be multiple pours. Like bridge piers, tall walls, etc. Besides rebar passing from one pour to the other. Is there anything done to strengthen the cold joint? I know it's common to use adhesives when doweling but that's a bit different. TIA

[@johnfahey7215]

I remember that wire mesh came in rolls, you needed a man to stand on one end while we rolled out the rest, a new guy even when it was explained to him why. . .occasionally walk away, distracted by something, then there was screaming, jumping outta the way, pandemonium, profanity, and now we say, “the good old days.” 😂😀🤔

[@MaisonVR24]

we still use them every once in a while. You only step off the wire once lol

[@UmerKhan-gw7ud]

It looks great👍

[@davea7297]

I noticed no keyway connection between slab and knee wall. Not a requirement for your area?

[@tt7hvn]

I noticed this too... usually there's rebar in the slab J'd, sticking upward to tie the stem wall to the slab every 18"-24".

[@ZAPATTUBE]

He showed us how he sets in the bent re-bar as a tie-in.

[@jeffreykreft5442]

I'm lucky I have a great concrete supplier Osbourne, they have never rushed us, they just ask that the wheelbarrow never stops moving. Great company to work with if your in southeast Michigan! Little shout out to my boys!

[@michaeljoseph7951]

Wow ur a great teacher. Great video

[@josephpuchel6497]

Hey That’s the size garage I’m looking to get. If you feel like coming to Jersey I have some work. Excellent video

[@rharv3084]

Do you guys do full basements? I'm looking to build a house in Wales and if thats something you do, I'd love to call to get a quote. This video was all I needed to tell me you guys would be the people for the job. Nice work.

[@vernm6189]

I would have raised this up a little. this seems to be about 2 or 4 feet to low, what's going to happen when it rains?

[@TheTechGuider]

Where do yall live. You guys must not have frost lines

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Maine, 48" frost line. If the gravel is done correctly and landscaping is done correctly, it won't heave. Done 1000's of them over the last 40 years like this.

[@jjjustin17favs]

Would like to see the knee wall forms setup in the future.

[@applelewman1856]

That’s what I was here for too!

[@billcoley8520]

It was certainly a lot more detail

[@curmudgeoniii9762]

What is the purpose of the (knee wall?)? Enjoy your videos. Maybe make one that explains tools and equip and concrete blocks and all the different kinds. Thanks

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Just keeps the wood framing off the slab and less likely to rot out. Plus the exterior grade was kinda high on a couple sides so it allows backfilling without going up against the wood framing.

[@doolittlegeorge]

"Gotta build down to build up" New York City style. For the Chrysler Building they just straight up dumped i-beams for the steel reinforcement. Even at over 1000 feet high that foundation ain't going anywhere ever. Only $8 million US Dollars to build that entire Skyscraper as well! Think of what people spend $8 million US Dollars on today! Anyhow modern concrete pours (think the now former World Trade Center Towers" use a "bath tub" approach to doing this sort of thing as your wasting valuable space in failing to dig down deep before trying to build up...space for any number of items if you wish...or just to drive down into to "park the car" as seems to be the case here. Great question though and this should be The Code for any and all concrete pours as standard as "slab on the surface" is just a total waste of work, material, aggregate, effort etc "due to frost heaves" etc just as this very knowledgeable individual and Team explained and showed. Not just frost heaves but water intrusion as well. Plus you'll see the metal bolts sticking up out of the concrete for the actual build which is exactly how you want to tie in any structure being built up from this a truly massive amount of reinforced aggregate. In short whatever happens to the building atop this pour the pour itself ain't going anywhere for the next 1000 Years would appear.

[@mbda1]

how is your wire staying embedded at proper height when the guys are stepping right on top of it right after you pull it up. Always wondered this one.

[@falashlaba20]

It's not.

[@JRCoronado24]

where do you get the forms? thanks nice video

[@thomasgertsch4171]

No waterproofing ?

[@stonebody]

Why is this foundation not down to the frost line? No footers needed? In Maine? Thanks

[@davenorthunion9597]

Good Question! It is a single story. 500 sq feet or less. Floating floor. Thicker at edge with curb wall. And possibly sandy soil vs clay, allowing this type of structure to be appropriate in this circumstance.

[@travisbains330]

Was there a water stop in the construction joint?

[@1OlBull]

How does the wall seal against the slab? Wouldn't water seep in?

[@MC-82]

No consolidation? Didn't see a vibrator.. self consolidating mix design?

[@jameshihihin1320]

I've always been curious about these kind of foundations. Do they heave in cold climates?

[@l0I0I0I0]

Did you do a capillary barrier between footer and side walls?

[@l0I0I0I0]

Guess you only work in Maine and neighboring states? I'm looking at laying a slab and want DIY so I won't have a large mortgage.

[@leecheever903]

Nice job mike .

[@user-zl1bh2gk1b]

You're in Maine? No frost protection? Wall not keyed into the slab?

[@jamesboris1233]

Great job

[@JG-kv4oi]

Nice job guys

[@jimr4566]

How about a slope at the garage door to keep water from running in under the door?

[@J316-y4c]

Nice work

[@soccerfamily29]

Just get a 16ft screed much easier to screed from the outside. Even with a 14ft if you just borrow it back and forth. Come out flatter too. I carry a 10-12-14-16 and a 12ft magic screed on my truck. As for the wall do a keyway and water-stop bentonite. Other than that you guys work well together.

[@pslszny]

Saw that you lifted the wire reinforcement during the pour, but then 2 men walked in the concrete while screening. I would think that walking on the reinforcement wire would negate the lifting--oes not seem like a good practice?

[@westhavenor9513]

Wow, beautiful!

[@andrewashton195]

Why no damp proof course under the concrete?

[@AudioSam-dp1uw]

question but did you guys remove the spreaders once the concrete reached that level?

[@truenorthmuskoka9077]

very nice work.

[@TruckTaxiMoveIt]

did they rent the forms? Do you have a price breakdown of how things went for this particular part of the job?

[@MarkTheBattler]

Given that they’re using 2x10 or 2x8 boards I’m going to guess they didn’t rent. Rentals are usually concrete systems such as Siemens, or Doka.

[@Jlayism]

He's referring to the wall forms. yes you can rent them.

[@GT-fh2ci]

You don’t have to dig down 3’ below existing grade in Maine for footing?

[@DennisKenneybees]

When the workers are walking in the poured concrete, spreading it out after you have just pulled up the wire mesh; doesn't that press down the wire mesh so in the end; its on the bottom of the slab and not in the middle of the slab thickness? Thanks for all your video.

[@timb7814]

Yep. Most of that mesh is on the ground when they're done. That's why mesh is garbage. It NEVER ends up in the right place. May as well not have it there. This slab doesn't need to be reinforced anyway, but if you're going to reinforce you should always use rebar.

[@KarlHeinzofWpg]

Yes. He pulls it up here and there and then the big guy pushes it all down again when he walks over it.

[@MrBrandonbecker95]

Mesh is supposed to be in the bottom third of concrete. Much better strength

[@haizee2330]

@@MrBrandonbecker95 bottom mesh for resistance to tensile forces and top mesh to limit shirnkage cracks. Normally use a dpm under the slab and use precast spacer blocks to provide at least 2" of cover to the mesh in the bottom. Rebar in contact with the wet ground is a recipie for corrosion and eventually cracking.

[@RectifyTheParadigm]

Love aluminum forms. Kinda crazy that ties are hard to come by now

[@pjmtts]

Is there a video of you setting up the forms for the wall?

[@eschrader]

Can you rent those metal concrete forms?

[@celyl]

DIY cinder block owner installed knee wall more cost effective ?

[@jagboy69]

After he back fills a foot or so up that 2ft wall, how much water finds its way inside???

[@noreen_ann1438]

Do you show how to install the exterior man door for this structure? I have a garage with one course block that the walls sit on. So when installing an exterior door the sheathing makes the door brick mold stick out from the blocks on the bottom of the wall. Then there is a gap. What the proper way to install exterior door when you have this type of block/sheathing wall?

[@robinlox99]

Nice, very tidy work.

[@alranger252]

Does the knee wall bond with the slab or is it just the rebar holding the walls?

[@KingKing-rg8tv]

did you rent the aluminium wall ? Thanks

[@stacyedwards1112]

so being in Maine don't you need some styrofoam around the outside perimeter for frost protection?

[@abc-ed1nr]

What part of the country are you in? Very shallow frost line.

[@petergohzinya8909]

Just curious to you prefer a key way for the kneewall

[@mstewpie]

Simple question, if you are pulling up the wire as you go, but I watch some of the people helping you in this video stepping back into the wet concrete, isn't that pushing it back down? Wouldn't it help to have little supports under the grid keeping all the wire above the gravel surface? I have only seen that done sparsely?

[@doolittle3664]

You are correct. The wire mesh has to be flat on the ground in this pour so, in essence it is doing nothing for reinforcement. Should be on chairs and no walking on it. After seeing this, I am spec'ing rebar in my monolithic slab (on chairs). I have seen a few slabs poured due to my job and the crew was pulling up the WWF as they worked away from the pour which made sense. I also agree with the comments regarding using a keyway to avoid cold joints. Lastly, I wouldn't waste time or money on fibers in concrete. Fibers are, as far as I know, for shrinkage only. They provide no strength.Keep the concrete wet for the appropriate time. I have in the past had my concrete sub try to sell me the fibers myth but, don't believe it. Concrete has to have steel properly installed to behave as desired. Other than that, this was a good video. Love watching real American workers do what made America great back in the day.

[@georgestuart8175]

@@doolittle3664 Also, having a DPM, will be even better.

[@sac4917]

Doolittle my friend fibers do provide strength and the wire mesh is pulled up and while concrete is being placed under it and as you go your guys keep pulling up as they walk backwards so everything that is in front of them is off the ground . If u seen wire on the bottom before it’s more likely from nobody pulling as they go and keep in Mind wire doesn’t add that much strength it basically is used so when the concrete cracks it will keep it from lifting . If you want more strength add fiber or a 6 -7 Sak mix for more psi

[@kajekage9410]

I want to volunteer to work for this guy for a couple of jobs so I can learn how to do concrete properly.

[@haniballecter7605]

thats really nice

[@SG-uh6sw]

I like how you didnt reply to any one asking about waterstop and rebar ties and what not you owes them nada

[@AnthonyAlvarado78]

I mean....the more people he answers questions...the more people that'll subscribe...thus giving him revenue.

[@SG-uh6sw]

@@AnthonyAlvarado78 he's good regardless 👌

[@AnthonyAlvarado78]

@@SG-uh6sw he is....but if I'm just starting off and there's conflicting questions. It would benefit the audience to know. " it's just a shed" is a valid answer 😂

[@SG-uh6sw]

@@AnthonyAlvarado78 good day sir said what i said either live with it or dont kindly move along thank you

[@AnthonyAlvarado78]

@@SG-uh6sw love you too. Cheers to the useless conversation.

[@thomasrenfrow609]

Without putting black mamby on the outside, can the knee walls and slab not be poured at once?

[@waynegroves6922]

I've poured driveways, sidewalks with steps, dog runs . . . never a large garage floor with knee walls, but have often wondered the same thing. I can see where it might be a huge PITA, though.

[@dementus420]

Yeah, those lasers are really great. Minimum fiddling required. I tell you, that slab looks more like 8 to 9 inches thick if those are 2×12s. That thing definitely ain't going anywhere. I normally don't put rebar in any slabs with fiber. I just pour them about 4 to 4.5 inches thick and I've never had any problems with them. It's a special case or customer request normally when I do use rebar. I guess it is a good insurance policy though. EDIT: I just heard you say you're in Maine so is that the reason for the rebar, all the freeze/thaw movement going on?

[@squeekhobby4571]

Great job. Guess this can be used even for a house or pole barn construction

[@baroneroberto3400]

Nice piece work……Mass. never allow that no frost wall