How to backfill a plumbing trench in concrete slab | From Garage to Apartment | Episode 5

[@benjaminreinhardt259]

Glad you sorted the mixing method. It baffles me that so many people just spray water in until it looks about right. I fill a bucket to the required amount for two bags and then draw a line on the bucket at that mark. Pour half of that in the mixer, dump in a bag, mix, pour in the rest of the water, dump in the second bag and mix well. Dump and repeat. Water in the mixer first is the key to not sticking.

[@FamilyFriendlyDIY]

Thanks. I've seen it done the right way so many times, but then I think, "Shoot, it's just adding water to powder, right?" Ha ha. Nope!

[@timroscoe4519]

Do you remember about how many bags of concrete you used total? That area looks similar to mine and I just wanted to get an idea. Also, did you wet the existing concrete before you poured in the fresh concrete to get it to stick better?

[@FamilyFriendlyDIY]

We used 10 bags of concrete, Tim, and we didn't wet the existing.

[@aleale8029]

I've read that if the mix is too soupy (too much water) it'll shrink more and will be less structurally sound. have you had any issues ? thanks

[@FamilyFriendlyDIY]

Good question, and that is true about soupy mixes, but we ended up with a very hard product. We had to cut some of this out in a later video to tweak the shower drain, and if you get a chance to watch it, you'll see how difficult it was to break ... seemed harder than the professionally poured slab. Thanks for the comment!

[@boat_life]

Why you didn't use rebar?

[@FamilyFriendlyDIY]

There was no rebar in the slab to begin with.

[@billrau2398]

You should’ve used rebar to reinforce the concrete trench repair from movement, Also use 6 mil plastic to wrap vertical pipes coming in contact with Concrete poured slab work,

[@williamsporing1500]

@@billrau2398I’m just now doing this. I drilled 3” holes into the existing slab, and put rebar dowels protruding 9” out into the new stuff. Hopefully this will keep it from sagging down the road

[@certifiedtotakeyouthere8505]

Do you put rebar before the plastic or after?

[@jackparker8686]

Helping a plumber.. we're digging from back house to front main I call it a virgin pipe lay there's no pre-existing pipe where normally this gentleman does a pipe pool or repairs pipes.. just non plumber apprentice handyman assistant you're truly.. but I heard the concept of slope stations or something to that effect.. you dig the trench more than deep enough start pipe position from back house.. at some point you slope it whatever bubble is appropriate.. and just maintain that slope rate minimum... The other workers tell me the boss is not used to this kind of pipe laying.. he's trying to Great the bottom of the trench at that perfect bubble gradient slope.. squaring it off with shovel. Laying the pipe down on that surface.. and fighting with that slope dilemma..

[@dws2313]

Doesn't matter how many mistakes you make ... if you get it done.

[@FamilyFriendlyDIY]

Great adage, DW. ... I was hoping our mistakes would be encouraging to others. I know when I see someone else do something perfectly, and then I try it and botch something up, I start doubting myself. It's good to know mistakes can almost always be recovered from. ... Got some more mistakes coming soon :-) ...Thanks for the comment DW!

[@joemama8379]

U could have just backed up the truck. Didn’t we’d a tractor. Lol

[@Crondar777]

They probably didn't want to mess up the bed.

[@frederickvoss1760]

Not protecting the pipe from the concrete is a code violation

[@FamilyFriendlyDIY]

Please cite the code, Frederick. This passed plumbing and building inspection.

[@Darkgazer666]

Nice video 👍. How much do you think the total cost of the job would be if a company did it.