DIY Concrete Slab - How to get started

[@donaldcurtis9229]

I love these channels I'm a professional Mason retired I get so many jobs from DIY people that just screw everything up thank you very much more work for me

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Haha! I appreciate you, but I hope this video helped someone avoid making costly mistakes! 😂

[@donaldcurtis9229]

​@@SimonSaysDIYyeah higher professional

[@MyTruckingSkills]

This was a very helpful video, thank you for making it

[@lghtwave845]

Here in Korea we don't make concrete slab drive way that often. However I'm gonna try it on my front yard with help of your video. Thanks a lot.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Awesome! Good luck! 👍🏻

[@timmholl9238]

Well done. Looks professional. I am not a professional, and I've never done concrete in my life; but if you were selling me the house, and we walked around, I wouldn't have given the concrete slab a second thought. Just internal relief that there was plenty of concrete walk space.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks 😄

[@andrewhardcastle7982]

Thanks a lot I’m prepping a few slabs at the moment and your tips were a big help.

[@loridawngerlach3588]

Incredibly helpful! Thank you so much! Going to do a sidewalk slab by myself this week.

[@Msintoeverything]

Clear and concise! Thank you for showing an outline of what’s needed!

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks so much!! 😁

[@javiertorrez4771]

Thanks for this video, I have seen many many videos, and not one actually gives description of what they are actually doing like your video does. Thanks, I plan on adding to my patio and will probably be using your video and the others ypu mentioned as a guide!!!

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Glad it was helpful! Good luck 👍🏻

[@user-em6ie2be7x]

Thanks for the detailed video, I needed more information before I started pouring concrete.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

I’m glad I could help!

[@Mike-01234]

Nice video I would have gotten ready mix truck my limit on bag mixing is 1 yard. My area they have mixing trucks that carry the gravel, sand, and cement onboard the truck mixes it as it as it comes out of the truck.

[@ArnoldPratt-w5u]

That was very helpful not to over explaining just straight forward.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks for the feedback!! 😁

[@rvictor2402]

You put in a lot of effort. God bless you!

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thank you! 😊

[@sns1804]

Thanks, just the right speed too.!!

[@SimonSaysDIY]

You're welcome! Thanks for the feedback! ☺️

[@wildacecat6861]

this was real helpful im in middle of adding new concrete floor in my barn in free time. this helped me realize few things i did not account for

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks!!! I’m so glad the video could help! :)

[@mostrico]

Great video man, thank you so much man for sharing

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@exoticwuki255]

Brilliant video thanks

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks 😁

[@dm13257]

Nice job, thanks for posting

[@nnusa]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Glad it was helpful!

[@emilyfeagin2673]

I live your little tracto❤️

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! I appreciate it! 😁

[@qasaaye23]

Excellent work ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@CarolineAkwi]

This has been helpful. Thanks

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks, I appreciate it! 😁

[@katoyblanco2663]

Thanks so much for the video!!! The expansion do you use was 1/2 inch ? Thanks!!!!!

[@lauramurphy3463]

Thank you!

[@SimonSaysDIY]

You're welcome!☺️

[@joesmith1922]

Thanks!

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks for watching! 😁

[@aaronferrari3033]

Great video, Simon! Very helpful.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Hey thanks!

[@samuelhenry9959]

Good job 😊

[@Litehoney77]

Great video! Very helpful. For the forms, did you treat the side touching the concrete with an oil to help it release from the concrete? Some videos I've seen says to do that. Wondering if you did or not.

[@melissaj.dutton3245]

Thanks for all the info and a great video! If we need to do a large slab but don't have time to do it all in one day, can we build multiple forms like you did but pour one at a time?

[@4ever.fishing]

When joining slabs you should use foam for expansion joints and drill dowel holes into the slab and add rebar to get a strong join, and for a patio like that I would recommend a broom finish that’s gonna be a very slippery slab, also buy a trowel\ stick trowel to get a proper finish. Didn’t look the best tbh but well done 👍

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks for the tips! I appreciate it. 😊

[@miomine3527]

Yeah, I was going to say I didn't see the steel trowel used and then a broom finish..,but good job..

[@charlesmckenzie7101]

Looks code, very good. I saw another concrete video of some people dry pouring concrete bags, and it was not nearly as durable and lasting as yours.

[@chandracox6814]

Did you leave the expansion form in place? The one up against the house.

[@jerrysekey3098]

Nice work! , what coarse aggregate size are you using? Can you list the tools you were using to finish your slab?

[@ralexlu]

hey simon, the expansion crack form; did you just leave that in place?

[@JamesFraley]

I guess the world will never know.😢

[@alexcris5344]

@@JamesFraley😂

[@juggernaut808]

This was my question also

[@chandlerperry7159]

Also was wondering that..

[@Ryukk1984]

I think yes is the answer

[@olivermalin]

when do you remove the formers BETWEEN the slabs? do you remove before you pour the next slab? i assume so but surely that means you need to wait ages for it to set? i can't seem to find any clear info about this

[@coabanamusicrecord]

Awesome dude

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks 😁

[@karenmcguire7292]

Like the video - what happens with the expansion joints? does the wood get left in there? if so, when you placed them are they submersed from the service rather than sitting at the service?

[@paulineknight8708]

Hello what all supplies did you use?

[@zacharysmith7700]

What did you do with the boards you put as 'spacers'/relief cuts in the middle of the concrete...?

[@ian7033]

You should use bar chairs to hold the rebar up. Saves a lot of hassle.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks for the tip! I will have to try that next time!

[@krudosound]

Hey awesome video. I have a question which might be silly but still hoping for an answer, lol: The forms (timber long sticks that help contain the shape of the concrete and also are used to flatten and smooth at the end, if I understand properly) that go on the side of the house, how do you get those ones out? And if you get them out, isn't there a hole between the house wall and the sidewall? Thanks a lot.

[@dancitube]

Yeah, I'm wondering the same. Also can you just leave it there? Thanks for a great video though.

[@bekindrewind5513]

I had the same question..lol

[@jimmyjohn6392]

He shouldn't have put wood between the slab and house. Especially not standard plywood. They make foam for this application.

[@ICopiedJohnOswald]

did you remove the boards in between the slab sections?

[@Alr8Baba]

Did you consider using a concrete vibrator to remove any air bubbles? Is that a concern in this?

[@SimonSaysDIY]

I wasn't to concerned with it because screeting the concrete removes most of the bubbles. I typically use a hammer to tap the forms around the outside to get any air bubble out and make a clean edge. If the form was deeper or more complex like stairs or something, I would defiantly use a vibrator to make sure the concrete flows correctly and removes the air.

[@GES8215]

Great job and very instructional. In hindsight u probably wished I just took the day off and had it delivered. Looked like a pain in the butt with all those bags and running around.

[@z3phyrdok]

The funny thing about railroad ties! The EPA says that railroad ties are toxic and not recommended for use in gardens. Railroad ties are treated with creosote, which can be hazardous to your health and the health of some plants. Creosote can leach into the soil and harm your plants. Here are some tips for using railroad ties for landscaping: Don't use in residential settings Don't use near children's play areas Don't use indoors or in greenhouses Don't use in raised vegetable garden beds Don't use directly in contact with vegetable gardens

[@donaldcurtis9229]

Years ago my friend drove for a concrete company up north the lady said well just dump it right here at 10 yd load my husband will take care of it when he gets home he dumped 10 yards right in the middle of her blacktop driver she signed a ticket got paid and left

[@SimonSaysDIY]

🤣 That would have been such a huge mess!

[@donaldcurtis9229]

Oh it's a very true story believe me you can't make stuff up like this ​@@SimonSaysDIY

[@ramandeepmaan9850]

Hey Simon can you please tell which concert pre mix I will use for this slab

[@pawneep20]

If your poring a patio is sloping it needed?

[@lindagraff7333]

How long wood you wait to pput bolts in slab if building on it

[@Amk26452]

Did you remove the support slab between your house and the concrete slab?

[@George.Coleman]

No dpm?

[@vlr213]

Which concert bags do you recommend so many to choose thanks

[@SimonSaysDIY]

I used the 60lb Sakrete High Strength Concrete Mix. I purchased it from Lowe's. The 60lb bags are cheeper per pound then the 80lb bags and a bit easier to move around. Thanks!

[@krisromero4668]

@@SimonSaysDIYae

[@blakeanderson118]

You can take the forms off same day if needed, just be careful.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks for the tip!

[@LetsFish21]

Felt or foam not plywood for expansion

[@stanso9478]

How thick is your concrete and the gravel

[@noodles8203]

Should have done a brushed finish.

[@dus10dnd]

Did I miss you texturing it?

[@keletienne7947]

Yep - after hand pouring dozens of 80# bags (even with help of an electric mixer), I wholly encourage everyone to just plan on the minimum amount for a concrete truck delivery. Every part of your body will thank you, even your lungs from the dust.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

You’re right, a concrete truck is definitely the way to go! 😄 But it is possible if a truck is unavailable. Thanks! 😊

[@mma9x]

Good job, those bags must be cheap, they are 8 dollars for 20kg here in Australia… cheaper here to use cement bags and adding sand and aggregate. Wear a mask next time, that dust is dangerous.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! They aren’t too bad. For the 60lb. bags it is $3.58. It’s not too bad. But wood prices here are through the roof!

[@jagprototype8003]

Should have rented a compactor

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Yes, doing it by had was a lot of work and I'm sure a compactor would have better results. Thanks! :)

[@DK-vx5co]

The posts buried in the slab with ground contact insures accelerated rot and a need to replace the posts. You did mention this.

[@CodyPaugh-n1t]

Don’t use wood for expansion joint use actual expansion joint or foam

[@CodyPaugh-n1t]

Also don’t use bags on anything big other then really small projects and always use 1 shovel of Portland nd one lime lime optional but important to every 80lb bag bags however are always weaker then plant mix

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks for the tip! I wasn’t aware of that!

[@SHRBJHD]

Right now a concrete truck is over $400 more than just buying the concrete at Home Depot.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Yeah, there can be savings mixing it yourself instead of having it delivered.

[@QuietMindful]

Doing a big slab in 09/2024 and the truck was $176 cheaper than Home Depot.

[@michaellozano8543]

We don't these concrete channels ever describe how much water you put in the mixer for each bag?

[@BrendanCBreen]

It depends on the weight of the bag and psi, which is why they have the recommended water amount on the bag.

[@4ever.fishing]

lol just mix it till it’s good😮‍💨

[@almightytyb4742]

Still wrong have someone who knows how to finish help you

[@SimonSaysDIY]

How would you recommend finishing? Thanks!

[@Mr-gi6rc]

You didn't prep your wall...